Your Hand Specialist
Fellowship-trained surgeon with expertise in hand and upper extremity surgery
A quick outpatient procedure to release a constricted tendon pulley—designed to restore smooth finger movement and address the painful catching or locking sensation.
Trigger finger (stenosing tenosynovitis) occurs when the flexor tendon becomes inflamed or develops a nodule, making it difficult to glide smoothly through the pulley system that holds it close to the bone. This causes the finger to catch, click, or lock in a bent position.
Trigger finger release is a simple procedure that divides the A1 pulley—the structure that becomes too tight—to allow the tendon to move more freely.
A straightforward procedure performed under local anesthesia
Local Anesthesia
The base of the affected finger is numbed with a small injection
Small Incision
A small incision (about 1cm) is made in the palm at the base of the finger
Pulley Release
The A1 pulley is carefully divided, freeing the tendon to glide smoothly
Immediate Movement
You can typically move the finger immediately after the procedure
Trigger finger release is one of the quickest hand surgeries to recover from. Many patients notice improvement in the triggering shortly after surgery, although some soreness at the incision site is normal for a few weeks.
Fellowship-trained surgeon with expertise in hand and upper extremity surgery
Yes, multiple trigger fingers can be released during the same procedure if needed. Your surgeon will discuss whether this is appropriate for your situation.
Recurrence in the same finger after surgical release is rare. However, trigger finger can develop in other fingers, particularly in patients with diabetes or inflammatory conditions.
Cortisone injections can be effective, especially for mild cases. However, if injections have not provided lasting relief after 1-2 attempts, surgical release offers a more definitive solution.
No referral is required. You can book a consultation directly with our team to discuss your symptoms and treatment options.
Schedule a consultation to discuss your trigger finger and explore treatment options.
