Trigger finger release is a short day-case procedure. It is considered when steroid injections have not provided lasting relief, or for severe or locked fingers. Recovery is usually quick.
Pre-assessment is brief and usually takes place 1-2 weeks before surgery. The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic.
A nurse will confirm your medical history, take baseline observations, and answer any remaining questions.
The finger and palm are marked before surgery. Multiple fingers can sometimes be released in one session.
Most medications can continue. Blood thinners may need adjustment - your team will advise.
Local anaesthetic is injected into the palm at the base of the affected finger. You stay awake throughout.
Trigger finger is more common in people with diabetes, and recovery may be slightly slower. Good blood sugar control supports healing.
You will be given a specific arrival time. Have no food from 2am on the day of surgery; you may drink clear water until 6am, unless your team gives you different instructions. Bring your medication list and any documents from the hospital.
You will be admitted to the day surgery unit, change into a gown, and be seen by the nursing, anaesthetic, and surgical teams before theatre.
Your surgeon will confirm the procedure, mark the operative side, and you will sign a consent form before going to theatre.
You will meet the anaesthetist. Many hand procedures are done under local or regional anaesthetic; some require general anaesthesia.
After surgery you will spend time in the recovery area where nurses monitor your vital signs until you are stable and comfortable.
Arrange for a family member or friend to collect you. You must not drive on the day of surgery if you have had a general anaesthetic or sedation.
Important: Move the finger early and often. Excessive rest can lead to stiffness, which is more troublesome to recover from than the surgery itself. Contact your team if you cannot fully straighten or bend the finger by 2 weeks.
Avoid getting the wound wet until it is fully healed - usually 10-14 days. Use a waterproof cover when showering. Follow the dressing instructions you are given.
Keep the hand raised above the level of your heart as much as possible for the first 48-72 hours. This significantly reduces swelling, pain, and stiffness.
Do not wait until pain is severe before taking medication. Regular simple analgesia (paracetamol, and ibuprofen if appropriate for you) is more effective than waiting.
Unless told otherwise, gently bend and straighten all fingers regularly. Early movement helps prevent stiffness and reduces swelling.
Seek urgent advice if you develop spreading redness, increasing pain, swelling, discharge from the wound, a temperature above 38°C, or any new numbness - these may indicate infection or nerve problems.
Recovery timelines vary between patients and depend on the operation, the demands you place on the hand, and any other health conditions. The timeline below is a general guide - your surgical and hand therapy team will give you personal advice.
Brief nursing review and consent.
The operation takes 10-15 minutes. You go home the same day.
Movement begins straight away. A small dressing is worn for the first few days.
Stitches are removed around 10-14 days. Most everyday activities can be resumed.
Heavy gripping and manual work usually return by 4-6 weeks. Triggering is normally relieved immediately.
Yes, almost always. The catching or locking sensation typically resolves immediately after the pulley is released, although some residual soreness in the palm is normal for a few weeks.
Desk-based work is usually possible within a few days. Manual work typically requires 2-4 weeks off depending on the demands.
A small scar (usually 1-2 cm) is left in the palm at the base of the affected finger. It usually fades over several months.
A week-by-week guide to recovery. Individual timelines vary, so always follow the advice of your surgical and hand therapy team.
The aim of surgery is to stop the finger catching, clicking, or locking by opening the tight pulley (the A1 pulley) at the base of the finger so the flexor tendon glides smoothly. The success rate is very high and recurrence after surgery is rare.
The operation is a short day-case procedure under local anaesthetic. A small incision is made in the palm at the base of the affected finger and the A1 pulley is divided, freeing the tendon. The finger is moved to confirm the triggering has gone before the skin is closed with stitches.
A splint that holds the finger straight, often worn at night, can settle milder or early triggering.
An injection around the tendon sheath is very effective, with most fingers settling after one or two injections. It is usually tried before surgery.
Acceptable for mild, painless clicking. The finger may lock more over time, and occasionally locks in a bent position.
The small nerves running along the sides of the finger can be bruised or injured, causing numbness. The risk is slightly higher in the thumb and index finger where a nerve crosses the surgical area.
Triggering rarely returns after a complete open release. Persistent symptoms occasionally need further assessment.
Usually a superficial wound infection that settles with antibiotics.
A reaction causing prolonged pain and stiffness of the hand. Most cases settle with hand therapy.
The palm scar can feel firm and tender for several weeks and settles with time and scar massage.
The finger can feel stiff early on. Moving it fully from day one prevents lasting stiffness.
Some swelling of the finger and hand is normal in the first couple of weeks.
Trigger finger sometimes settles on its own or with a splint, and a steroid injection resolves most cases, so surgery is reserved for fingers that keep catching despite these measures. Without treatment the finger may trigger more and can occasionally lock in a bent position that becomes harder to straighten, but the condition is not dangerous.