Trigger finger release

Trigger finger release is surgery to make it easier to bend and straighten your finger. Your doctor will make a cut in the tissue over the tendon that helps bend your finger. This cut is called an incision. It will allow the tendon to move freely without pain.

This surgery will probably be done while you are awake. The doctor will give you a shot (injection) to numb your hand and prevent pain. You also may get medicine to help you relax.

The doctor will make an incision in the skin of your finger or palm. The doctor will make a cut to open the tissue over the swollen part of the tendon. The doctor will close the skin incision with stitches. After surgery, you will have a small scar on your finger or palm. This will fade with time.

It will probably take about 6 weeks for your hand to heal. After it heals, your finger may move easily without pain.

You will go home the same day as the surgery. How soon you can return to work depends on your job. If you can do your job without using your hand, you may be able to go back in 1 or 2 days. But if your job requires you to do repeated finger or hand movements, put pressure on your hand, or lift things, you may need to take more time off work.

Surgery can be stressful. This information will help you understand what you can expect. And it will help you safely prepare for surgery.

Preparing for surgery

• You may need to shower or bathe with a special soap the night before and the morning of your surgery. The soap contains chlorhexidine. It reduces the amount of bacteria on your skin that could cause an infection after surgery.
• Be sure you have someone to take you home. Anesthesia and pain medicine will make it unsafe for you to drive or get home on your own.
• Understand exactly what surgery is planned, along with the risks, benefits, and other options.
• If you take a medicine that prevents blood clots, your doctor may tell you to stop taking it before your surgery. Or your doctor may tell you to keep taking it. (These medicines include aspirin and other blood thinners.) Make sure that you understand exactly what your doctor wants you to do.
• Tell your doctor ALL the medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal remedies you take. Some may increase the risk of problems during your surgery. Your doctor will tell you if you should stop taking any of them before the surgery and how soon to do it.
• Make sure your doctor and the hospital have a copy of your advance directive. If you don’t have one, you may want to prepare one. It lets others know your health care wishes. It’s a good thing to have before any type of surgery or procedure.

Activity

• Rest when you feel tired. Getting enough sleep will help you recover.
• Try to walk each day. Start by walking a little more than you did the day before. Bit by bit, increase the amount you walk.
• For 1 to 2 weeks after surgery, avoid using your hand. This includes lifting things heavier than 1 to 2 pounds or doing repeated finger or hand movements, such as typing, using a computer mouse, washing windows, vacuuming, or chopping food. Do not use power tools, and avoid other activities that make your hand vibrate.
• Ask your doctor when you can drive again.
• You may be able to go back to work 1 or 2 days after surgery. It depends on the type of work you do and how you feel.
• You may shower, but do not get your hand wet until your doctor says it is okay. Keep the bandage dry by covering it with plastic. Do not take a bath, swim, use a hot tub, or soak your hand until your doctor says it is okay.

Diet

• You can eat your normal diet. If your stomach is upset, try bland, low-fat foods like plain rice, broiled chicken, toast, and yogurt.

Medicines

• Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines. You will also get instructions about taking any new medicines.
• If you stopped taking aspirin or some other blood thinner, your doctor will tell you when to start taking it again.
• Take pain medicines exactly as directed.
  • If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
  • If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
• If you think your pain medicine is making you sick to your stomach:
  • Take your medicine after meals (unless your doctor has told you not to).
  • Ask your doctor for a different pain medicine.
• If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.

Incision care

• Leave the bandage on your hand until the doctor says it is okay to remove it. This is usually 2 or 3 days after surgery.
• After the doctor says you can take off your bandage, wash the area daily with warm, soapy water and pat it dry. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing. You may cover the area with a gauze bandage if it weeps or rubs against clothing. Change the bandage every day.
• Keep the area clean and dry.

Exercise

• Gently bend and straighten your fingers throughout the day to keep them flexible and help reduce swelling.
• You may need finger and hand therapy. This helps you regain range of motion, strength, and grip in your finger and hand. To get the best results, you need to do the exercises correctly and as often and as long as your doctor or your physical or occupational therapist tells you to.

Ice and elevation

• Put ice or a cold pack on your hand and wrist for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Try to do this every 1 to 2 hours for the next 3 days (when you are awake) or until the swelling goes down. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin.
• Prop up your hand on a pillow anytime you sit or lie down during the first 2 or 3 days after surgery. Try to keep the hand above the level of your heart. This will help reduce swelling.