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Trigger finger release failure

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Posted 11/10/2012 1:44 AM (GMT 0)
I had three trigger finger releases and a carpal tunnel release 7 months ago. After hand therapy and steroid injections, one finger was officially declared a failure yesterday, and they have to go back and redo it, clean out scar tissue and do what ever else needs to be done once he gets in there. Since I had the surgery, I have switched surgeons, but am very nervous.

I was able to schedule surgery for November 19th. I do have more confidence I this surgeon, but if it doesn't work this time, the next step sounds very scary. I was told that the success rate for a redo is not nearly as good as the first release, but good enough to try it before getting significantly more invasive and removing part of a tendon.

The scariest part for me is that I have always been asleep for surgery before this, but my new surgeon does not use general for this surgery. I was told I can to back to work the next day, but we will see if I do or not depending how I feel.

Has anybody else ever had to have a trigger finger redone? How did it go?

Just hoping this works because I am tired if my hands hurting and not working for the past 19 months for several reasons.
Posted 11/10/2012 2:40 AM (GMT 0)
I've never had a "redo" surgery but I think I might have to at some point. I had the release done on the A-1 of my left hand 2 years ago, it was pretty bad; I had a frayed tendon from the tightening of the sheath, my ortho surgeon had to remove part of my tendon (on my very first surgery). I still have pain in that tendon, but not nearly as bad as before surgery. However, it's been getting steadily worse.

But from what I understand, a "clean up" isn't as invasive as the original surgery - less recoup time. But I know what you mean about not being put under. The numbing shots would not be very pleasant while awake I would think! Maybe you can see if he can give you some relaxing medication before the procedure? Valium?

I'm sorry you are having to go thru this :( I know only too well the pain you are feeling. I also had a second release done last year, but I caught that one in time and the surgery did wonders. It's the first one that is not going so good.
Posted 11/10/2012 5:59 AM (GMT 0)
I did have a successful release on the thumb of my other hand in January, and the other two fingers done at the same time as the one that failed both worked too which is very nice. I do know from the pre op that it will be slightly more invasive than just the release because he is going to release it again and clean it up. I wish I would have asked if I will get anything to relax me, but was too stunned to think of asking at the time. I plan on asking for something when I go in. I do now I can not drive home after and can't eat 8 hours before so I am hoping that means I will get something.
Posted 11/10/2012 7:43 AM (GMT 0)
Mommie24 if you have to have a driver, and you can't eat anything for 8 hours prior to the surgery,  I would just about bet that they are definitely going to give you something, did he possibly mention Conscious Sedation? When you have that they don't let you drive afterward. They give that for allot of different procedures, such as a colonoscopy, and even removing teeth, and other test and surgeries. Usually when you have that, you don't remember anything but the doctor can talk with you and have you move and such, but it is like your asleep. I am just wondering if they might be going to do that? I do suppose they could just numb your hand, but if they did that I am sure that they would give you something to really relax you. They definitely must be planning on giviing you something if your not suppose to drive, nor eat.

Please keep us informed on how this turns out!

Good luck to you!

White Beard
Posted 11/10/2012 9:58 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I'm so sorry for the failure and the need to repeat the surgery!!!  I just had a new nerve conduction study yesterday for my hand pain (and new numbness) and also on one leg.  My word that is an uncomfortable test!!!!

Anyway, I have never had the "repeat" surgery, but apparently my bi-lateral CTS surgery was nowhere near as successful as expected and that does seem to explain the extra pain. I had trigger finger for a long time, but it eventually went away....I have no idea why.

I just wanted to give you some encouragement here.  I had both my hands done at one time (and was fully awake).  The first shot in each hand is somewhat uncomfortable (but not so bad that you can't stand it) and then you feel nothing but pressure.  It really was not bad at all (until the recovery).  Wow...when my hands woke up, I really knew it....but it was WAY better than being asleep because being asleep makes me feel so bad after.  This was no big deal at all as far as surgery goes.  There is no sickness from the general anestesia and no sedating effects when you get home.  There was NO feeling during the surgery at all...HONEST!

I wish you all the best!

Posted 11/11/2012 12:54 AM (GMT 0)
Dear mommy -

Don't fret about being conscious. The local anesthetic is so good you shouldn't feel a thing. I haven't had a re-do, but I had 3 fingers done. I'm so glad I didn't have anything for sedation. There was absolutely no need, and I had a clear head afterwards.

I was nervous, not knowing it was no big deal. My entire surgery was over in 15 minutes. I had a nice nurse to talk with during the procedure and was surprised that it was over so soon.

There is a big sting when they give the first local shot, but in seconds it's gone. If they are using bupivicain it should last well into the night, 12 hours or so. I didn't feel my arm below the elbow, and that's why they give you the big cheese wedge and a sling.

I should have taken a big safety pin to pin the hand end tight, because my hand and arm kept falling out of the thing and I didn't notice because I couldn't feel anything.
Posted 11/11/2012 6:14 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you for your replies. I am starting to feel a little better about having to be awake for this.
Posted 11/11/2012 6:44 AM (GMT 0)
I had mine done with conscious (?) sedation and a nerve block. No problems whatsoever. Conscious sedation always lets me just drift off to sleep, and with the nerve block I didn't feel anything in the arm until the next day.
Posted 11/11/2012 9:54 AM (GMT 0)
I had both thumbs done twice .. Dr says it can happen and it did? No biggy easy surgery I have ever had..
Posted 9/3/2013 12:27 PM (GMT 0)
I had my first trigger finger on both middle finger May 28th of this year 2013. After the surgery my right middle fingers has locked up 8 times two of the eight times I went to ER but they did nothing but gave me good pain pills. The 8 times it locked up I was not even doing anything but every day stuff in which I was told I could do. On my left middle finger I thought it was success until 2 weeks ago it locked up for no reason. It pisses me off cause every time I visit the doctor he said you are not doing your exercises in which I am. I do them everywhere I go (I look like I am doing some strange sign language) The doctor is out for three months due to being on a medical team that is helping people. Any way I would go got another surgery if it works tho. I am planning on getting a second opinion. Before I had my surgery I was going to be in a job training program since been out of the work force for many years due to special needs kid. Now since after my surgery, it keep locking up I can not use my middle fingers or they just lock up for no reason. Very frustrated for me tho....

Post Edited (Taabjs) : 9/3/2013 6:31:00 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 10/7/2013 7:55 PM (GMT 0)
I am on my 2nd incident of Trigger Finger and have not had surgery on either one (both on same hand). The first was in 2011 and took about 1 year to clear up completely doing what the PT advised me to do. That was my index finger. The 2nd started in January of this year on my ring finger and I am still working to get it fully bendable again although most of the pain is gone after about 4 months. Just wanted to post this to let everyone know that surgery may not solve the problem any quicker. From what I have read in here, recovering from the surgery isn't that much different than my recovery time. Next time I get a Trigger Finger (hopefully there won't be any more but if), I am going to give Acupuncture a try. Has anyone tried Acupuncture for Trigger finger? If you want to know what my PT regime is, send me a message and I will spell it out.
Posted 10/7/2013 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Ro and welcome to the CP forum at HW. Would you please start an introduction post instead of posting on this older thread? You've got some good information and willing to share it and it will definitely get missed here.

We here in chronic pain like to welcome all new members to HW and you will get far more looks and responses on a new thread!

Thanks and again welcome!
Posted 10/8/2013 2:31 PM (GMT 0)
ropark,

I know someone who is having major trouble with trigger finger (index) and is trying to avoid surgery. Could you explain your PT routine? (I went to your profile but your contact information wasn't listed.) Any information you could give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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