TRIGGER FINGER

OVERVIEW

When you suffer from tenosing tenosynovitis, also known as trigger finger, your fingers or thumbs painfully catch or lock when bent. This condition, an inflammation of the tendons (soft tissues) connected to the thumb and fingers, can be caused by a repetitive, forceful movement of the fingers or the thumb, or by gripping something for a long period of time. As some of the best hand surgeons in Arizona, Drs. Torabi perform an out-patient trigger finger surgery for men and women to eliminate joint locking, and restore full movement without pain. Although results may vary from patient to patient, our hand surgeons are both highly skilled plastic surgeons in Arizona with proven success rates in many types of plastic, reconstructive, and hand surgery. Trigger finger can be diagnosed with physical examination and an imaging technique, such as an X-ray or MRI. If you have a referral after a trigger finger diagnosis, you can call us to discuss your case, and to set up a consultation for surgery.

CAUSES OF TRIGGER FINGER

Trigger finger inflammation can arise as the result of the following causes:

• Repeated gripping: Repetitive and forceful use of the thumb and fingers, like grasping objects for a long time
• Medical conditions: Gout, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, etc., can all increase the chances of trigger finger development
• Gender: Women are at higher risk of developing trigger finger

Our hand surgeons usually recommend surgery if all other noninvasive treatment methods fail. If symptoms are mild, simply resting the affected finger may be enough to encourage a full recovery. A doctor may also insert a splint to keep your affected finger in a resting position. Pain medications, like NSAID’s or acetaminophen, may help in reducing the pain associated with trigger finger. Steroid injections may also bring relief from pain and inflammation. When all these measures fail to resolve the problem of trigger finger, you may have no choice but to schedule a surgery.

SURGICAL TECHNIQUE

Trigger finger surgeries can be performed in the outpatient department of a hospital or an ambulatory surgery center, which means it does not require you to stay overnight. Generally, this surgery requires a local injection of anesthetic to numb the hand. A small incision is made in the palm of the inflamed hand using the sharp tip of a sterile needle. The tendon sheath tunnel is cut to widen the tunnel, and allow the inflamed tendon to slide more easily, and to heal properly. If you would like to learn more about the surgical process, please ask your plastic surgeon more about the specifics of the procedure, the risks and complications, and how to care for your hand post-operation.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Many patients find that they are able to move their fingers comfortably immediately after the trigger finger surgery. Of course, the palm may be sore from the incision, and use of the hand will be limited. We suggest lifting the hand above the heart to alleviate some of the pain. Your recovery can range from weeks to months depending on your specific situation. It may also be advisable to have physical therapy after the operation to speed up the recovery.

LEARN MORE

We use our hands to do everything. From eating to writing, most activities require the use of hands. Injury and overuse can cause painful conditions in the hand, and trigger finger is no exception. However, with comprehensive treatments, our talented Phoenix, AZ plastic surgeons, Dr. Rozbeh Torabi and Dr. Radbeh Torabi at Elite Plastic Surgery, can treat this hand condition. Call today to schedule an appointment, and to learn more.