HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Trigger Finger Sugery - Questions

Support Forums
>
Chronic Pain
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 2/3/2015 11:19 PM (GMT 0)
I am scheduled to get trigger release on my right index finger. Does anybody know the following answers --
1.) When they put this "bandage" on my hand afterwords, will it render my entire hand useless for the first two weeks, or can I still move my other fingers to grab things?

2.) I've read some pretty bad things online about the recovery (horrible pain, swelling, continued pain and stiffness). Has anybody out there had a good, successful, trouble-free experience with this procedure?

3.) What should I expect and anticipate, in the days following the procedure? THANK YOU for any advice you might have..........
Posted 2/4/2015 2:16 AM (GMT 0)
HI Mike,
I hope all goes well. This isn't my personal issue but I am sure others will pop in to help soon.
In the meantime you can use the search box. There should be lots of results. I have seen this issue in the topic line many times.
Good luck!
Posted 2/4/2015 4:46 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the forum Mike.

I had 3 triggers done at the same time, just local anesthesia. All done start to finish in 15 minutes. I would have been able to drive myself home if I'd been able to feel my hand. It's a simple slit in the covering of the tendon to get it free.

I went home with a huge wrap and a giant chunk of foam that had holes like Swiss cheese. I kept losing my arm and hand unless I looked. No pain with very long lasting bupivicaine until midnight. Then youch! It woke me up. I took the pain med and it only hurt, not screaming level. Swelling for a few days.

No, you can't move the finger for a while, then only bend it as directed to keep it from freezing up. Then there's occupational therapy.

My surgery was trouble -free, about average. I didn't massage as much as I was supposed to, and probably not as intensely as I should have, so the fingers were fairly stiff for many weeks. But I don't think that made any difference in the end, because I have full use, strength and no triggering now.

Use the search box!
Posted 2/4/2015 5:32 PM (GMT 0)
I had it done in June 2014 to release the three far right finger on my right hand. It was a very painful recovery and my condition is worst now than before the procedure. I could completely open my hand prior to surgery.. now it will not open all the way and the fingers still feel like they were jambed playing basketball. Very stiff.. no flex a knuckle. Hine site... I wish I had never had it done. I only had the surgery because the doctor told me it would eliminate the pain that I was having in the palm of my hand at the location of a nodule. The cords are increasing rapidly now as before it was very very slowly progressing. That's my story... wish you the best with yours.
Posted 2/4/2015 5:35 PM (GMT 0)
I need to follow up with that I had trigger and dupuytren's disease. The surgery was to take care of both.
Posted 2/5/2015 8:35 AM (GMT 0)
I have had trigger finger releases on several fingers. I used pain meds for maybe a day or two, then just over the counter meds after that. The first was my left thumb. My hand was wrapped and I wasn't supposed to use my thumb, but I could move it.

The next time was my thumb, index finger and pinky on my right hand. I also had carpal tunnel release at the same time. I was driving two days later. I was just taking Advil at that point.

I also have dupuytrens disease, and had to have my index finger released again, probably more because of the dupuytrens than a real surgery failure. I went to work the next day. I am a preschool teacher.


Yes it is slightly painful, but for me, not for long. And I was able to wiggle my fingers from right after surgery and was encouraged to do so, but wiggle only. I was worried about the surgery too, but it wasn't that bad. Not compared to what I have had done due to dupuytrens.
Posted 3/3/2015 4:20 PM (GMT 0)
I had the surgery done 13 days ago (trigger release, right index finger). Yesterday, they removed the bandage and stitches (OUCH!!!).

MY CONCERNS --

1.) I'm supposed to be doing the motion exercises.. but it's still quite stiff and hard for me to even make a complete fist. Is this normal?? It is difficult because I don't know what "normal" is supposed to be.

2.) How hard should I be pushing the hand to close all the way? Like pushing it really, really hard??

3.) I see things in previous posts about "rubbing" and massage. What is meant by this? Should I be rubbing the finger?

4.) I am afraid to stretch out the hand and bend the fingers BACKWARDS because I'm afraid the wound will pull apart and open up.

Any words of advice would be appreciated. Thank you!
Posted 3/4/2015 4:12 AM (GMT 0)
Mike, I would do whatever the surgeon instructed you to do. Everyone says its best to keep the fingers moving to avoid scar tissue from forming. I would not be bending anything to the point of causing an incision to open up. If you are not clear on the post-op instructions call & talk to the nurse at the surgeons office. Good luck.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply