Trigger finger release surgery at Wolverhampton Hospital

What is trigger finger? 

Trigger finger is when a finger or thumb catches or locks as you bend it towards your palm. It happens when a tendon (a cord that connects muscle to bone) and the tunnel it slides through both become thickened, so the tendon can no longer move smoothly. This can cause discomfort, clicking or popping sensations as it straightens and stiffness. Sometimes, small lumps will appear at the base of your finger or thumb.

The causes of trigger finger are often unknown, and symptoms can start without any clear reason. You may be more likely to get it if you are over 40, have diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis, or do a lot of repetitive gripping. It sometimes appears after a knock or injury to the hand.

What are the symptoms of trigger finger?

Common symptoms include:

• A lump at the base of the finger or thumb, on the palm side of your hand
• Pain when you bend or straighten the finger
• Stiffness, often worse first thing in the morning
• Clicking, catching or locking when you move the finger
• The finger getting stuck in a bent position, sometimes using your other hand to straighten it.

Your consultant (surgeon) will diagnose trigger finger by asking about your symptoms and examining your hand. Scans and X-rays are not normally needed unless another problem is suspected.

How do you release a stuck trigger finger?

Some mild cases settle on their own over a few weeks. Before surgery, there are several things you can try:

• Resting the hand and avoiding activities that bring on the pain and triggering
• Over-the-counter painkillers to ease pain and swelling
• Wearing a small splint at night to hold the finger straight
• Gentle stretching or gently massaging the base of the finger in a circular motion.

A steroid injection into the base of the finger is another option that often eases the pain and triggers. Surgery is usually only considered when other treatments have not worked, when symptoms are severe or keep coming back, or when the finger is stuck in a bent position and cannot be straightened.

Why choose Nuffield Health Wolverhampton Hospital for my trigger finger release?

Nuffield Health Wolverhampton Hospital has an established reputation for orthopaedic care across the West Midlands, with experienced consultants providing specialist assessment and treatment for a wide range of hand and upper limb conditions. Patients considering trigger finger release surgery benefit from rapid access to expert care, helping address finger locking, pain and stiffness before symptoms begin to interfere with everyday activities, work or sleep.

Set within tranquil grounds in Tettenhall, the hospital combines specialist orthopaedic expertise with modern facilities, consultant-led treatment and dedicated matron-led nursing care throughout your treatment and recovery. With access to experienced hand specialists and on-site diagnostics, patients can feel supported at every stage of their journey, from initial assessment through to recovery and restoring comfortable hand movement.

How to book a private consultation at Nuffield Health Wolverhampton Hospital?

If you're finding that your finger no longer moves as smoothly as it should, our specialists can help. Contact Nuffield Health Wolverhampton Hospital on 01902 754177, fill in the enquiry form below, or book a consultation online to find out what's causing your symptoms and whether treatment could help restore comfortable movement.

What is trigger finger release surgery?

Trigger finger release surgery, also known as tenolysis, is an operation that opens the tight band (called the A1 pulley) at the base of the finger, giving the tendon room to move freely again. Opening this band does not affect how your hand works, as long as the other bands are left in place.

It is normally done as a day case, so you go home on the same day as your surgery. Most people have it under local anaesthetic (a numbing injection), which means you stay awake, but your hand is numb.

What are the different types of trigger finger release surgery

There are two main techniques used in trigger finger release surgery:

1. Open trigger finger release: Your surgeon makes a small cut in the palm near the base of the finger, divides the tight band so the tendon can glide, then closes the cut with stitches and covers it with a dressing.
2. Percutaneous (needle) trigger finger release: After the hand is numbed, a fine needle is used to release the tight band without making a cut, so there is no wound or visible scar. This method is not suitable for every case or every finger.

Your surgeon will advise which is right for you.

Who is suitable for trigger finger release surgery?

Surgery may suit you if:

• Your symptoms are persistent, getting worse, or getting in the way of everyday activities
• Splinting or steroid injections have not given lasting relief
• The finger locks or stays bent.

Whether it is right for you depends on how severe your symptoms are, your general health and any other conditions you may have, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

What are the alternatives to trigger finger release surgery?

Surgery is not always needed, and it is safe to live with a trigger finger, which rarely causes harm. The alternatives are:

• Doing nothing. The problem sometimes settles on its own, though there is no guarantee, and occasionally a finger becomes fixed in a bent position.
• Night splinting. Wearing a splint at night for a few months can help settle the triggering.
• Steroid injection. For many people, this removes the need for any further treatment.

Your consultant will help you weigh these options against surgery based on your symptoms.

How do I prepare for trigger finger release surgery?

Your treatment starts with a consultation, where your surgeon reviews your symptoms, examines your hand and confirms the diagnosis. This is a good time to ask questions, and your surgeon will also talk through the risks of the surgery.

Before surgery, you may be asked to:

• Shower or bathe the night before or on the morning of your operation, to lower the risk of infection
• Remove all rings, bracelets, nail polish and false nails
• Tell your medical team about every medicine you take, including over-the-counter medicine and supplements, as some you may need to stop taking them before surgery
• Stop smoking, as it slows healing.

It also helps to prepare your home to make it easier while your hand recovers.

What happens during trigger finger release surgery?

Trigger finger release surgery is usually performed under local anaesthesia and takes around 20 minutes.

During the open trigger finger release:

1. The hand is numbed with a local anaesthetic injection.
2. Your surgeon makes a small incision (cut) on the palm, near the base of the affected finger.
3. The tight band over the tendon is divided, taking care to protect the nearby nerves.
4. Your surgeon checks that the finger now moves freely, and you may be able to see the difference yourself.
5. The cut is closed with stitches, and a dressing and light bandage are applied.

During percutaneous trigger finger release:

1. The hand is numbed with a local anaesthetic injection.
2. Using an ultrasound, your surgeon will direct a needle into the base of the affected finger to reach the tendon.
3. Using the tip of the needle, your surgeon will divide the tight band of tissue (A1 pulley) that is stopping the tendon from moving freely, taking care to protect the nearby nerves and blood vessels.
4. Your surgeon checks that the finger now moves freely, and you may be able to see the difference yourself.
5. The cut is closed with stitches, and a dressing and light bandage are applied.

How long does it take to recover from trigger finger release surgery?

Most people go home the same day. You will usually need someone to collect you, and you will be encouraged to keep your hand raised and to move your fingers gently soon afterwards to reduce swelling and stiffness.

At home, keep the dressing clean and dry until the wound has healed. Stitches either dissolve within about 7 to 10 days or are removed at an appointment after 10 to 14 days.

The palm can stay sore for some time, as the operation involves deeper structures than just the skin. As a rough guide:

• Around 2 weeks: the wound has healed
• Around 6 weeks: the scar is still red and tender, and grip may feel weaker than normal
• Around 3 months: hand function is usually back to normal
• Around 6 months: the scar has faded to a thin white line.

Swelling and stiffness can take 4 to 6 months to settle fully.

Returning to work: If you have a desk job, you may be able to return within a few days, sometimes straight away. Light manual work usually means about 2 weeks off, and heavy manual work may need around 4 to 6 weeks.

Driving: You can drive again once you can safely control the car and perform an emergency stop, which for most people is around 2 to 3 weeks. Please check with your car insurer.

Physiotherapy: Most people do not need physiotherapy. If stiffness, swelling or pain does not improve, your consultant (surgeon) may refer you to a hand therapist.

What are the risks and complications of trigger finger release surgery?

Trigger finger release is a low-risk, routine operation, and most people recover without problems. Some effects are normal in the early weeks and settle with time:

• Bruising, swelling and soreness
• Tenderness or a lumpy feeling around the scar
• Temporary stiffness or reduced grip strength
• Numbness near the cut.

Less common problems include wound infection, thickened or uncomfortable scarring, ongoing stiffness or loss of strength, and triggering that comes back, although recurrence after surgery is uncommon.

Contact your Nuffield Health Wolverhampton Hospital's medical team if you notice signs of infection, such as a high temperature, or increasing redness, discharge or worsening pain around the wound.

Your surgeon will talk through the risks with you before your operation so you can decide what is right for you.

How much does trigger finger release surgery cost at Nuffield Health Wolverhampton Hospital?

If you're considering trigger finger release surgery and would like to discuss pricing, please contact our healthcare team directly on 01902 754177. Our team can provide more information about the treatment and guide you through the next steps.