Trigger Finger Surgery & Treatment in Dallas Texas

What is Trigger Finger?

Tendons attach the bones in the hand to muscles in the forearm, allowing motion. The flexor tendons are located on the palmar surface of the hand. As the fingers bend into a fist these tendons glide thru tunnels called tendon sheaths that act to keep the tendons in proper position against the bones. Inflammation can cause the flexor tendon to thicken forming nodules which make it difficult to pass thru the sheath. The tendon sheath may also thicken, narrowing the passageway. Trigger Finger, or Flexor Tenosynovitis, occurs when the flexor tendon gets stuck in a bent position as the digit is being straightened. The digit may then “pop” straight with effort. This can happen in any of the four fingers or the thumb.

What causes Trigger Finger?

While the exact cause is unknown, several factors and activities have been associated with an increased likelihood of developing Trigger Finger. Some risk factors include female gender, middle age, and diabetes. Overuse or repetitive motion injuries, and inflammatory diseases, such as Rheumatoid Arthritis and gout, can also lead to this condition. Anything that produces prolonged inflammation of the flexor tendon, the tendon sheath, or both can result in Trigger Finger.

What are the symptoms of Trigger Finger?

The most prominent symptom is the motion of the finger as it is bent or straightened. The digit may “stick” as it is being bent and then “snap” closed. This can also happen as the finger is being extended. There may be pain or swelling of the finger and sometimes a lump can be felt on the palmar surface near a joint. The stiffness may be worse in the mornings or after periods of inactivity. In severe cases the digit may need manual assistance to fully flex or extend. Occasionally the digit becomes “locked” in either the bent or straight position.

How is Trigger Finger diagnosed?

Diagnosis is based on a complete medical history, review of symptoms, and physical examination. In general, no other testing is required.

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How is Trigger Finger treated?

Non surgical

Mild or moderate cases of Trigger Finger usually respond well to conservative treatment. Resting the digit may be all that is needed. The finger may be immobilized in a neutral position with the aid of a splint. NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like Ibuprofen may prove useful to ease pain. In moderate cases a corticosteroid injection may be administered to reduce inflammation.

Surgical:

In severe cases of Trigger Finger or those that do not respond to conservative treatment, surgery may be required. Trigger Finger Release Surgery is a quick outpatient procedure that can provide complete relief of symptoms. A small incision is made in the palm, the sheath is opened in the palm and the wound is sutured closed. A Band-Aid type dressing is left in place for about 10 days. The sutures are then removed, and full recovery can be expected within six weeks. During the recovery period there may be some mild tenderness at the incision site and activity is as tolerated. Hand therapy helps to strengthen, increase flexibility and reduce stiffness.

How can Dr. Knight help you with trigger finger?

If you think you have symptoms of trigger finger and are located in the Dallas, Texas area, a visit to a hand specialist is recommended. If you choose Dr. Knight, we have multiple offices throughout the Dallas Fort-Worth area. Dr. Knight will expedite your care by making an accurate diagnosis and providing quality and effective care through conservative measures with surgery as a last resort. In his many years of practice, Dr. Knight has treated thousands of patients suffering from Trigger Finger, and each of them has received the utmost in diagnosis and care in order to remedy this annoying and often painful condition.

Dr. John Knight is a hand and wrist surgeon in the Dallas, Texas area. Dr. Knight welcomes you to visit our Southlake, Texas or Dallas, Texas location for a consultation. Dr. Knight is considered one of the best carpal tunnel syndrome surgeons as well a ganglion cyst removal specialist. On behalf of the entire clinic, we all look forward to helping you achieve a pain free life.

Trigger Finger Fact Sheet

Frequently asked Questions:

What, exactly, causes Trigger Finger?
Trigger finger is one of those conditions that is not very clearly understood by the medical community. While we do know that there are certain risk factors associated with developing a trigger finger, the precise mechanisms that lead to the condition itself remain a mystery. Women are more likely to develop the condition, and it is theorized that this is a result of the smaller size of their hands, on average. Diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis are other risk factors for developing Trigger Finger, but, again, the precise relationship between these conditions and trigger finger is little understood.

Will Trigger Finger go away without me seeing a doctor?
In less serious cases, activities such as exercise and massage can help to reduce the inflammation associated with Trigger Finger, and anti-inflammatory drugs are also effective in stopping the progression of the condition. Even after symptoms develop, it is possible that the condition will spontaneously reverse itself over time, but this is rare. As the condition progresses, it will become necessary for you to see a doctor, and it is always better to see a doctor sooner than later in the course of an illness or injury, to avoid any complications bought on by being untreated.

Can Carpal Tunnel Syndrome lead to Trigger Finger?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Trigger Finger are, without a doubt, the two most common conditions that Dr. Knight treats on a daily basis, and it is not uncommon for them to occur in the same person, even on the same hand, but the mechanisms that lead to these conditions are generally not related with one another in regards to the development of symptoms. Both are conditions caused by overuse, though, so it is entirely possible that they can be caused by the same activities or work-related stressors.

Can Trigger Finger last forever?
While Trigger Finger is often known to reverse itself, in more serious cases the deformity can set in and become permanent, which can have very serious consequences for your manual dexterity, and can make even the simplest activities of daily living difficult.

What is the recovery time after Trigger Finger surgery?
Trigger Finger surgery, or Release, as it is known, is a relatively simple procedure, and although full recovery can take up to six weeks, once the dressing is removed after about ten days, you should expect to be able to start using your hand, as long as you are careful, because a return trip to your doctor to fix a problem during recovery is never a fun appointment.

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HandAndWristInstitute.com does not offer medical advice. The information presented here is offered for informational purposes only. Read Disclaimer

Dr. John Knight

Dr. Knight is a renowned hand, wrist and upper extremity surgeon with over 25 years of experience. Dr. Knight is a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon and Fellowship trained. Dr Knight has appeared on CNN, The Doctors TV, Good Morning America, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Forbes, The Huffington Post, Entrepreneur, Oxygen network and more.