Trigger finger, medically known as Stenosing Tenosynovitis, is a painful hand condition where a finger gets stuck in a bent (flexed) position and then snaps straight. This “locking” or “catching” happens because the flexor tendon is constricted by a tight or thickened pulley, so the tendon can’t glide smoothly when the finger moves.
When conservative trigger finger treatment in Hyderabad (such as splinting, activity modification, or steroid injections) fails to relieve symptoms, or when the finger becomes locked, a surgical solution called trigger finger release may be recommended by experts. Let’s understand it in detail.
What Is Trigger Finger Release?
Does your finger lock or snap when you bend it? A trigger finger release can fix this problem by performing an A1 pulley release, which frees the finger tendon for smooth movement.
Types of Release
- Open release: The surgeon makes a small 1 cm incision in your palm, releases the pulley, and then checks your finger’s motion afterwards.
- Minimally invasive/percutaneous release: Using a needle under imaging guidance, the pulley is released without a bigger incision, so your hand recovers faster.
- Ultrasound-guided release: This technique uses ultrasound to guide the procedure precisely, reducing risks, minimising scarring, and helping you regain finger motion quickly.
Why Trigger Finger Occurs: Causes and Risk Factors
Understanding trigger finger requires looking at the causes:
- The A1 pulley around your tendon can thicken, and the tendon itself can swell, increasing friction.
- Conditions such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout increase the risk of locking.
- Repetitive gripping, heavy hand use, or overuse of the fingers can strain the tendon.
- Age, gender (women are more commonly affected), previous injuries, or other tendon issues also matter.
When the pulley and sheath become too tight, the tendon may “lock” or “snap,” creating finger tendon locking, which is common and treatable with proper care.
How Is Trigger Finger Usually Treated (Before Surgery)?
Many people with trigger finger improve without surgery. Non-surgical options include:
- Activity modification: Avoid repetitive gripping; rest your tendon.
- Splinting: Keep the finger straight at night to calm inflammation.
- Steroid injection: A corticosteroid near the A1 pulley softens tissue and eases gliding.
- Hand therapy: Regular exercises can improve tendon movement, ease stiffness, and reduce swelling.
In many cases, these conservative approaches are effective, often avoiding surgical intervention.
When Surgery Is Recommended
Indications for trigger finger surgery in Hyderabad include:
- Failure of conservative treatments such as splinting and injections.
- A locked finger that limits flexion or extension.
- Triggering happens repeatedly, affecting daily tasks.
- The tendon or pulley has become quite thick and stiff.
The surgical goal is an A1 pulley release to restore smooth tendon movement and finger function.
The Procedure: What to Expect During Trigger Finger Surgery
During trigger finger surgery, the following steps are typically performed:
- Anaesthesia: Local anaesthesia numbs the area while the patient stays awake.
- Incision and release: A tiny incision or percutaneous needle is used to cut the tight A1 pulley, freeing the tendon.
- Testing: The surgeon bends and straightens the finger to confirm smooth tendon motion.
- Closure: Sutures are applied if open surgery is performed, and the skin is closed carefully.
- Dressing: A light dressing is applied, and the hand may be elevated to reduce swelling.
Because the procedure is relatively minor, many patients can go home the same day.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
Healing after trigger finger surgery, even minimally invasive hand surgery, happens in stages:
- First 24 hours: Keep your hand bandaged, elevated, and iced to reduce swelling.
- First 1–2 weeks: Sutures are removed if they’re non-dissolvable; swelling and bruising start to improve.
- 2 weeks onward: Patients can typically start light everyday activities (typing, writing, eating) as tolerated.
- Around 6 weeks: Most people can resume most of their daily activities.
- Long-term (4–6 months): Full recovery, including achieving the complete range of motion, may take months.
Hand therapy (exercises, tendon gliding, scar massage) is often part of rehabilitation to minimise long-term stiffness.
Special Considerations: Minimally Invasive and Ultrasound-Guided Techniques
One of the advantages of minimally invasive hand surgery is reduced tissue trauma and quicker recovery:
- Percutaneous release: A needle cuts the pulley through the skin; no scalpel, minimal scar.
- Ultrasound-guided release: Under real-time imaging, the release is precise. Studies suggest a lower infection risk compared to open surgery.
Some healthcare centres prefer these techniques because they may allow recovery in as little as a day or a few days for light tasks.
Risks and Complications of Trigger Finger Surgery
While trigger finger release surgery is usually safe, some risks may occur:
- Infection at the incision site.
- Nerve irritation, which could lead to numbness or unusual sensations.
- Bleeding or bruising.
- Stiffness or limited movement, especially in long-standing cases.
- Sometimes the pulley may not be completely released, and triggering might continue.
- Scar tenderness or swelling may prolong recovery.
- Rarely, the trigger finger can come back.
Most patients experience a smooth recovery when proper post-operative care is followed.
Why Choose Apollo Hospitals, Financial District, Hyderabad, for Trigger Finger Surgery in Hyderabad
At Apollo Hospitals, Financial District, Hyderabad, we take care of your hands with skill and compassion. Your recovery is our priority.
- Experienced surgeons performing open and minimally invasive hand procedures.
- Thorough rehabilitation to restore hand function safely and quickly.
- Advanced imaging & surgical tools for accurate A1 pulley release.
- Patient-centred care with customised recovery guidance.
We combine modern technology with compassionate care to improve quality of life.
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