This article helps one understand the risks and complications associated with trigger finger surgery, and what to expect from the same.

Every person at some point or another, may have felt one of their fingers or thumbs clicking or catching in a bent position. If one has been experiencing this problem for a long time, then he/she may have what is known as a trigger finger. It is a disorder that affects the tendons (defined as bands of inelastic tissues connecting a muscle with its bony attachment) in the hand. While bending one of the fingers or thumbs in a direction towards the palm, one may feel the digit to click or lock. The finger may straighten with a snap. In severe cases, this painful condition may cause the digit to stay locked in a bent position, and the affected person may be unable to straighten it. People who are known to be more vulnerable to develop this kind of finger pain, also known as stenosing tenosynovitis, are those whose daily work involve repetitive actions which require them to use their hands for gripping. Also, women seem to be more susceptible than their opposite sex, and so are the diabetics. Surgery is opted for treating a trigger finger, when all other treatment methods do not seem to respond in the desired way.

Symptoms and Causes

Apart from the symptoms already mentioned above, others include:

• Stiff finger, especially in the morning
• Development of a bump-like formation at the base of the affected finger
• Occurrence of a popping sound upon moving the affected finger

As mentioned, this disorder affects the tendon of the finger. This tendon is surrounded by sheath. And this very sheath may get narrowed due to repetitive actions, multiple strain injury, or diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. This is what causes the trigger finger and its symptoms.

What Comprises the Trigger Finger Treatment?

Before opting for the surgery, doctors recommend the people to give rest to the affected hand, wear splints, do finger exercises, avoid repetitive actions, use warm water to soak in and massage the same. For cases which do not improve with these few steps, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and steroids are prescribed. And when nothing works, surgery is opted. Here, the doctor cuts through the thickened ligament that connects the tendon to the bone of the finger. In this way, the tendon becomes free to move again. In most cases, a surgery ensures a success rate of 90-100%. However, the affected person has to exercise measures to take care of the wound and deal with the possible complications.

Regarding the complications that the surgery may entail, the common ones include:

• Infection may occur.
• Pain in the finger. It may be accompanied by stiffness.
• Damage to a neighboring nerve.
• The surgery may result in a condition that may cause pain and swelling in the operated finger for a few months. It is known as complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).

The recovery time depends on the severity of this medical condition. Generally, most of the people attain full recovery within a week or two. Post surgery, the person would be able to move his operated finger with immediate effect, and the dressings are usually removed after a few days.

The surgery can be done in two methods. In the first method, after injecting with local anesthesia, the surgeon makes an incision in the palm and slices through the thickened ligament. Thereafter, the incision is closed with stitches. This is known as an open surgery for trigger finger. In the other method, anesthesia is used, and instead of an incision, the surgeon inserts a needle into the base of the affected finger. This needle is used to slice through the ligament and help the tendon to gain mobility. This is known as percutaneous trigger finger release surgery. The open method is more preferable, as in the other one, there is a risk of damaging the nerves and arteries that neighbor the tendon sheath.

As far as the surgery cost is concerned, it varies from center to center. It is advisable to search for hospitals who conduct this kind of surgical procedure, either in person or online, and receive a free quote before proceeding.

Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.