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trigger finger surgery recovery

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Posted 1/31/2013 7:00 AM (GMT 0)
iam 24 and i had the surgery on Tuesday on my left middle finger. Swelling went down all but the middle finger but the finger still seems stiff to move is that normal should it take a few more days?

the others are all fine too.
Posted 1/31/2013 7:30 AM (GMT 0)
I have had trigger finger releases on both thumbs, and two other fingers, and a revision on one finger. Each time I found that I could move my fingers better after surgery than before, but they were a bit stiff for a few weeks. Make to keep them moving as you recover, according to what your surgeon instructed, but respect pain. Give it a little more time.
Posted 1/31/2013 7:44 AM (GMT 0)
my surgeon didnt say anything really about keeping them moving my finger seems the same as before. but i will give it a few more days still since its only been one going on 2 days.
Posted 1/31/2013 8:06 AM (GMT 0)
Both of my thumbs need this surgery. From what I've read, they should be fully mobile right after surgery. I've had 10 major surgeries in the past 10 yrs., including a liver transplant in 2011. I had complications with each of these surgeries, so have been holding off on the thumb surgeries, even though it's a simple surgery and it would be done by a hand specialist at Mayo. I'm using self-adhesive tape to splint them in the meantime, which the doctor recommended.

Mommie74, was the revision because surgery didn't work for that one finger? Were all of your fingers and thumbs done at the same time?

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 1/31/2013 5:53 PM (GMT 0)
how long do i need wear the wrap bandage? because its really annoying ! but i am worried that it didn't work it seems i cant bend it all the way.
Posted 1/31/2013 7:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hello countrygirl21, I don't know much of anything about trigger finger surgery but I'd like to welcome you here to our Chronic Pain family here at Healing Well. There are a couple members here if I'm not mistaken that have had this surgery, so I'm sure they'll be around to give you some advice. In the mean time, please continue to keep us updated on your recovery as we really do care & your story could always end up helping others out! yeah

Good luck & once again, welcome! wink
Posted 1/31/2013 7:27 PM (GMT 0)
i just took the wrap off since that's a pain in the butt right and put on big bandaid to cover it and i took a picture http://i50.tinypic.com/2whm16p.jpg < there
i am showing how far i can bend it, same as before i'm worried now. did it not work, will it work later?

but thanks for the welcome!!!

Post Edited (countrygirl21) : 1/31/2013 12:38:31 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/31/2013 7:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there Countrygirl....while we are here to offer lots of support and empathy...no one here is a Dr. and can make a statement about your progress or how long you should wear the bandage. If you have specific questions like this, I urge you to speak to your surgeon so that they can go over the post of instructions for you.

Again...we are happy to have you here to share your journey...I just don't want you to take anyone's comments as medical advice...

Let us know what the Dr. says:)
Posted 1/31/2013 8:02 PM (GMT 0)
Countrygirl, let me add on and give you my experience. I had two fingers on each hand done all at the same time. I DO NOT agree with some of the other posts that say do not do both hands, btw. Anyway, I had my hands completely wrapped for three days, took them off and just re-wrapped them with a gauze pad and wrap around my palm. Your band-aid is fine. For those three days or more, your fingers will be very swollen internally and you shouldn't expect to be able to bend them much. After a few days, I started to slowly try to bend them more. You need to be diligent but patient. Don't hurt yourself. When yo uget your sutures removed in a week or two, your doctor will discuss possible exercises and length or rehab you should expect. Don't worry. This takes a while. I'm almost four weeks in and I still don't have complete range of motion and there's still some tenderness and swelling. You may even notice some locking still going on. That's also normal as your tendons are still swollen.
Posted 1/31/2013 8:12 PM (GMT 0)
thank you Snowbunny21 i know this isn't medical board just people giving advice :3
but holt thank you so it takes more time, i just need to not worry to much haha.
but i called and they said i can take the big wrap bandage. i have large band aid on now
that feels so much better i will keep you guys updated as things go on.
stitches come out on the 11th
Posted 1/31/2013 8:14 PM (GMT 0)
Glad you can both get some comfort from those here who have been through it, as well as talk with your Dr. about the instructions...That is what is wonderful about this site, you can usually find someone who has "been there/done that"...LOL

I hope it is an "uneventful" recovery for you and this gives you some great pain relief!
Posted 1/31/2013 8:22 PM (GMT 0)
BTW, for range of motion exercises, and don't even bother doing this until you've had your sutures out. Use the other hand to gently bend your surgery hand as far into a fist as you can without causing a great deal of pain. I know it sounds excessive, but the tendons need to be stretched and other than the pain, there's little chance of causing a problem. My surgeon is a little more aggressive then most, but google post op exercises for trigger finger and you'll find the same thing.
Posted 1/31/2013 8:27 PM (GMT 0)
thanks again ! but why i came here to hear about others who have had it over just reading on what could happen.

but i will use my other hand to bend my finger.
this was my first surgery so i must be worry wort :P

my doctor is nice guy the pain meds made me sick and he got me anti nausea meds too so it's been great.
Posted 1/31/2013 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
Countrygirl24, yes, being able to take off the large bandage helps a lot and remember, a lot of the discomfort you'll feel in the next week will be from the sutures. You'll feel so much better when they come out. And believe me, I'm a big worrier too, just remember that it takes time to heal and absolutely talk to your doctor if you have any questions.
Posted 1/31/2013 8:37 PM (GMT 0)
Holt
you been a lot of help thank you. But i guess i just need to give it more time to heal more and it should be okay i hope!
Posted 1/31/2013 8:56 PM (GMT 0)
I've never had surgery on my hands, but swelling is usually a normal part of surgery/recovery from my experiences. I'd give it some time before you start to worry about it. Also make sure you keep your doctor up to date with it, otherwise he can't tell you what is to be expected, what's normal, and what you should worry about if something occurs.

- Rainy
Posted 1/31/2013 10:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hep, I had both if m hands done at different times. I had my left thumb done first. Then my thumb, pointer and pinky on my right hand as well as carpal tunnel starting bothering me on my right hand. I had everything in my right hand done at one time. I had to have the revision because my pointer finger failed, mostly because of too much scar tissue. I did switch surgeons before the revision for a lot if reasons and am glad I did. However, I am working with an OT right now to try to keep the revision from failing. Besides scar tissue, the problem may be the A3 pulley instead of A1. Still not sure which way it will go yet, but it might finally be going in the right direction.
Posted 2/1/2013 4:01 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome cg.

I had 3 fingers done on one hand at the same time, so my story is somewhat different. I was not allowed to take off wrap until first followup appointment at 2 weeks. The tips of my fingers stuck out and I was supposed to bend them at that joint but nothing more. I wasn't allowed to get my hand wet.

I started occupational therapy right after the followup. It's necessary to keep the tendons moving so adhesions don't set in. I had a lot of massaging and specific exercises to do at home.

If you don't know what you are supposed to be doing for your particular case, please call the doctor's office! There are many different types of surgeries. I wouldn't just pick a treatment that sounds like mine online.
Posted 2/1/2013 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
I did ask the doctor before i took my wrap off and have it fully covered now. I think i can bend it yet since i got stich in the middle of bottom joint? or you know were the finger meets the hand. But it seems better already !
Posted 2/4/2013 10:43 PM (GMT 0)
double post but just wanting to do update. tomorrow is one week since it was done. Healing fine as i can tell, using large bandaid and this mesh medical tape to cover it. Mostly off the pain meds just using IBP if it hurts. Cant wait till the stitches are out ! bathing with bag on my hand is no fun! but i do enjoy getting out of chores haha.

i will let you know if i need PT after i had my TF for over 2 years before dude to not medical coverage!
Posted 2/5/2013 1:49 AM (GMT 0)
Great to hear that your recovery is going well!
Posted 2/11/2013 10:27 PM (GMT 0)
I got my stitches out today. doctor said it all looks fine. but then normal it will be stiff for a few months!
but it's nice to bend my finger without pain again!
Posted 2/12/2013 1:55 AM (GMT 0)
Yippee...That is good news:)
Posted 1/29/2014 12:03 AM (GMT 0)
Had trigger surgery on my right long finger on Jan. 2 (almost 4 weeks ago). Surgical site is better and less swelling this week, but my finger is swollen and very sore and I cannot straighten it fully. No problem typing because in a relaxed position and can make a fist without pain, even though I feel the swelling. But I have pain doing anything that takes my finger in the other direction. Even rubbing hand cream or putting on makeup on my face with my fingers hurts. Wondering if I should give it more time or call the doctor to see why my finger is swollen. I certainly wasn't expecting this much pain and recovery for such a little problem.

Additionally, still within my deductible, so not wanting to run back to the doctor unless it would be worth it. Dr. mentioned hand therapy when I had my stitches out if I thought I needed it, but I said no that I would try to rub and bend it myself. Wondering if it would be worth it to go.

Post Edited (Mindy05602) : 1/28/2014 5:39:19 PM (GMT-7)

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