The initial treatment method for trigger finger injuries is non-operative, and there are a variety of methods available. If non-operative treatments do not relieve your symptoms, your doctor may recommend a surgery called tenolysis” or “trigger finger release.” The purpose of a trigger finger release is to open the tendon sheath to allow more space for the tendon.
Non-operative
- If your symptoms are mild:
- Rest
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Splinting
- Rehabilitation exercises
- If this does not reduce the swelling, your doctor may give you injections of an anti-inflammatory, such as cortisone, in the base of the finger or thumb.
- Before an injection, the area with be sterilized and numbed.
Goal
- Improve the patient’s symptoms and provide a better quality of life
Benefits
- Symptoms may be eliminated with no surgical procedure necessary
- If injections are chosen as a method of treatment, they are very quick and minimally invasive. They can also help prolong surgery.
Recovery
- Recovery time will vary depending on the severity of the condition and the treatment options chosen.
Complications
- The patients symptoms do not improve
- The finger remains fixed in a bent position
- The patient must then resort to surgical methods.
Outcomes
- Most patients find that a combination of rest and NSAIDs allows them to heal within a few weeks.
- People who choose to treat the condition with injections alone may have a recurrence of symptoms.
