Trigger Finger Surgery Unsuccessful

I'm a guitar player and developed trigger finger on my left hand index finger. I went trough the injections that did nothing. After a year I decided to get surgery. But I told the doctor that I didn't think the finger was catching in my palm but up father in the finger. But he was very insistent and ensured me this would fix me up and I would be playing guitar up to speed in no time. NOT! In fact it was way worse after the surgery. Before the surgery it was more of a nuisance. Now it totally locks up. When I went back to get the stiches out the doctor told me he wanted to cut the tendon in half to make room so it would slide in the sheath. I told him I wanted to wait and get a second opinion.

I tried to make appointments with another hand doctor's in the area but they refused to see me? I did find one orthopedic surgeon who would see me but he was not a hand surgeon. When I asked him about the other doctor's not taking me he told me it must be a "political thing"? His best advice was to go back and see the original doctor. I feel like I'm living in a third world country!

So I asked the forum, Has anybody had this type of tendon surgery done and if so what was the outcome? Also what would you do if you were in my position??

Thanks guy's

Joe

My surgery was 6 months ago. Yes he does want to cut the tendon. You have TWO tendons that run the length of your finger. I'm not talking about the pulleys but the actual tendon that moves your finger. So what he does is take one tendon cuts it length wise throws it away so your left with 1 1/2 tendons. They do this so the remaining tendons have more room to pass through the pulleys and sheath. I checked with the one doctor who would see me and told me he has heard of hand doctor's talk about this procedure. Since I wrote this the original doctor called me and heard that I went to see another doctor and that I was not very happy. ( the new doctor notified him ) He told me when I was ready he would fit me in so I wouldn't have to wait and we could get this surgery done.

I have concerns. First as you noted Alcie, the trigger finger release was way worse to come back from than they make it out to be. Two weeks and you could go back to work? Not in my case. This tendon surgery is more invasive so I know recovery is going to be much worse. Second, I play guitar and need the strength in my finger and hand. So if your losing part of one tendon it would seem to me you're going to lose strength in that hand/finger. I asked the doctor about this when he called me and he said no I wouldn't because he's not cutting any muscle?? Not jumping to get this done but I really don't think I have a choice.

As far as asking the other doctor's if they could see me. I had an appointment set up but after they saw my records they canceled it and told me they don't see any patients from the medical group I went to to get the surgery done . I even went as far as having my wife call as she is an eye doctor and ask them for a professional courtesy. No dice. I'm really between a rock and a hard place at this point. My only other option is to travel to a place where there are doctor's that care. P.S. No carpal tunnel.

Joe

Post Edited (The Big Guy) : 3/16/2018 10:09:44 PM (GMT-6)

I would say that I was back to work 2 weeks after trigger finger, but not using that hand at all. Certainly not playing guitar!

I only got the stitches out at 2 weeks. Then it was months of rehab to get proper use of my fingers, and it hurt a lot too! I wouldn't be surprised though, if recovery from tendon surgery was no worse than trigger finger. Trigger finger surgery recovery takes a lot of time.

Your surgeon's idea of cutting the tendon seems reasonable to me, not being a doctor! I would try to find someone who would at least tell me if it was a good idea. There's nothing wrong with getting a second opinion! Insurance should pay for it. I was turned down for one recently though, by the office scheduler. I just wanted to find out if there is anything that can be done for my ankle, but didn't want surgery.

Hey folks,

For what it is worth, here are my revelations regarding Trigger Finger surgery, recovery, etc.

1) Do Not do both hands at the same time. You would need someone to do EVERYTHING for you and you would be miserable! You can't drive, wipe, eat, or do anything! Shoot, just one hand is a challenge!

2) Recovery is not quick. I had my dominant hand done in January. It is now the end of March and although it is pretty good during the day, at times it cramps up and is quite painful. PT and constant massaging, heat, and maybe anti inflammatories will be in order. We all use our hands far more than you realize. If you work with your hands, are a musician, or work at a keyboard, be prepared for a long haul. You would think you would recover quicker since you are constantly flexing...but that is not the case. the constant usage causes more inflammation=swelling=more constriction and pain. It can take months before you start feeling back to any kind of normal.

3) My experience is that nighttime, often in the middle of the night, is the worst. That is when they still cramp up and I have to massage them in order to get back to sleep. Sometimes, even after months, the pain is extreme.

I hope this helps. The doctors do not tell you enough about the recovery. It is painful and long. I've tried essential oils, massage, heating pads, and constant PT. I am three months out and still having issues. My doctor says, be patient...the hands take longer to heal than anything because we use them constantly.

Hello I'm new to the forum so here goes..

Like Joe I'm a musician/drummer and also worked with my hands a lot over the years. I started having problems with my hands about 2 yrs ago so, a year ago went in and had the cortisone shots on rt hnd ring and middle finger and left thumb to no avail, three rounds.. I got a little relief the first couple of times but then nothing.. I had my rt hnd ring finger operated on about 6 wks ago and still have pain in my middle knuckle on that finger, very painful especially at night, it's not triggering now so that's good..

I scheduled my middle finger for August 3 but I am a little apprehensive to say the least. It is triggering very badly and very painful.. My question at this time is, is it common for that middle knuckle to be so painful after surgery, it's not triggering now but the pain is pretty unbearable at times?

No wimp to pain as I was also a martial artist competitor for years as well as a armature boxer which resulted in a few breaks on that ring finger which I'm sure didn't help much.???
Thanks in advance

Thank you very much Chutz, I really appreciate the response..
I'll keep you all posted as everything moves ahead.

Sincerely
bl

I was diagnosed with trigger finger and only had sausage finger no popping just stiffness. Cortisone shot helped a little but only lasted 3 weeks. Had release surgery done on A-1 middle finger. 10 weeks post surgery had to change, very swollen. Hand dr went back in assuming infection and zig zagged up finger to tip and inspected. He also pulled cultures which have not shown any infections yet. I have been on iv antibiotics for 2 weeks with no improvement. I am 3 weeks post surgery and have less range, nerve damage/ numbness at tip of finger. I am still very swollen( 9.5cm at base of middle finger, same as before surgery). I am a mechanic and am not going to go back to work and will require career change.
My advice, be very careful about surgery and avoid it. Surgeons are trained to cut to resolve issues. I think surgery should be avoided and only done as last resort!!. Looking back I should have stop working and rested my hand more, maybe several months. Even though I iced and took Motrin over the 5 months leading to first surgery I never took off work and rested. I regret have the past two surgeries!!

I am a masters rower (oarsman) and compete internationally. At 67 I had steroid. Injections in 6 fingers. The middle finger on my right hand did not respond so I had trigger finger surgery under general anisthetic.

7 weeks later the pain is worse than ever, and the flexibility in the finger is poor. Grip strength is 60% of just operation. The surgeon is top ranked and told me that I should be back training within 3 weeks post op. The pain is the main thing- I can’t get even close to gripping an oar handle. The PT says that pain should not be like this at this stage. She also says that the day after the operation I should have been told immediately to begin exercises do that The finger did not “set” in a stiff, inflexible position.

Advice: be very , very careful.

Bind my hand. A simple strip of cloth, wrapped my thumb and hand, as near normal positions as possible. More of just ensuring to tuck my thumb against rest of my hand. Took about 3 mths but my thumb healed tho unable to truly stretch my thumb out. It then hit my other hand, and did the same there too.It still does hurt to fully extend the thumb but strength is at least slowly returning.