My Trigger Finger Is Annoying: Do I Need Surgery?

You have increasing pain at the base of your finger or thumb that’s not getting any better.  Eventually, your finger hurts whenever you bend or straighten it. You may even hear a clicking sound. What’s going on?

You could have a condition called trigger finger. Our board-certified orthopedic surgeons at Peninsula Orthopedics treat all types of musculoskeletal conditions, including hand conditions such as trigger finger. 

Because the pain isn’t getting better, you may wonder if you’ll need surgery on your hand. 

Trigger finger – from annoying to nonfunctional  

Your body is a complex structure of bones, soft tissue such as muscles and tendons, and more. Tendons join your muscles to your bones. 

Where tendons must move through narrow areas, such as your ankle, wrist, or fingers, they’re encased in a protective sheath that prevents them from rubbing against your bones, causing painful friction. 

Every time you move one of your fingers or your thumb, your tendon glides through a sheath. For several reasons, the protective sheath can become inflamed. Your finger may no longer bend and straighten easily. 

In severe cases, it can even become locked in position. What was once just annoying then becomes a condition that limits your hand function. 

When is surgery appropriate for trigger finger? 

As with many other musculoskeletal conditions, many cases of trigger finger, but not all, get better with conservative treatment. Here are times when surgery becomes warranted. 

Conservative treatment fails

We offer conservative treatment for trigger finger, including splinting, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, and/or cortisone injections. 

After weeks of physical therapy and splinting, and if cortisone injections haven’t helped, it’s time to consider surgery. Don’t worry; trigger finger surgery is a minor procedure. 

Severe, persistent pain 

If you’ve tried a cortisone shot or two and they haven’t helped, you don’t have to endure months of persistent pain. Pain degrades your quality of life and interferes with your work, your social life, and life with your partner.   

Your finger becomes locked in position 

You’ve been manually straightening your finger for weeks. It locks into position when it’s bent and doesn’t straighten out on its own. You’ve lost normal function, so it’s time to think about surgery. 

Why you should proceed with trigger finger surgery 

As with other musculoskeletal and other health conditions, your trigger finger symptoms are likely to worsen with time. Your finger or thumb could become permanently bent. 

When you’re unable to straighten your finger, you may not be able to perform tasks you were able to do in the past, such as playing a guitar, piano, or other instrument, or performing tasks in a job requiring finger dexterity. 

Call us at Peninsula Orthopedics or request an appointment through our online portal today if you have unexplained musculoskeletal pain in your hand. We have locations in Menlo Park, Los Gatos, and Daly City, California.