HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Trigger finger surgery

Support Forums
>
Chronic Pain
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 3/20/2017 1:47 PM (GMT 0)
I had trigger finger (ring finger) surgery 6 months ago. I just went back to my doctor's because I have no strength, swelling on top of my hand, tightness, unable to make a tight fist. He asked me if I went to PT and I told him he never said I had to go to PT. Gave me no restrictions and off I went. Now he is saying PT should resolve all my issues. I also still have scar tissue on the inside of my palm below my finger. Yes, the trigger finger is gone, but I rather have the trigger finger than having little use of my hand. Morning is the worst. I am or was a very active person and now I need someone to help me get ready for work in a reasonable time because I refuse to get up any earlier to work this hand out. Just awful. Any suggestions out there!!!
Posted 3/20/2017 2:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hello Dbeats & welcome to Haling Well. So sorry to read about your situation. Sounds like you have a dr that does not communicate things very well. I say give the PT a go, you have nothing to lose & potentially a lot to gain.

Keep us posted on how you are doing. Take care.
Posted 3/27/2017 6:20 AM (GMT 0)
Agree with straydog.. Physical Therapy, I would interview several therapists before making an appointment. Over the years that is one of the lessons I have learned. I was diagnosed with a trigger finger years ago.. Became more & more painful:touching anything sent a jolt of pain, tough to use a keyboard plus it was interrupting my sleep. (This was very long ago, before numerous other health issues had knocked me for a loop, including messing up my sleep.) I Postponed the injection (followed by surgery if that did not work) that the doctor suggested, hoping I could find a noninvasive treatment. (Steroids & I do not get along) Researched online & Called around /got a lymphatic massage.. Very very gentle & soothing -goal is to stimulate the whole system. She told me I might need 2 or 3 massages but I felt the difference almost immediately & soon all pain had disappeared! Knock on wood I have not felt more than a very slight twinge occasionally. Good luck!
Posted 3/27/2017 2:43 PM (GMT 0)
You need "occupational therapy" not ordinary "physical therapy." Some physical therapists are qualified to do occupational therapy, but not all. You have to ask! Your doctor should have given you a prescription for the therapy too! Insurance won't pay for it without the Rx.

Relax a little. 6 months is not all that long for recovery from this surgery. My surgery, a really simple slitting of the restricting tendon sheath on 3 fingers all at the same time, took about 15 minutes total. It was pretty painful for quite a while and took months of therapy - stretching and massaging and strength training to get back into condition. Years later I still have to occasionally stretch the tendon and the scar areas.

For anyone: Look up procedures before you get them. Find out what is going to be done. Plan ahead for time and help with rehabilitation from any surgery. Doctors simplify a lot and assume you either know what's going on or that you are incapable of understanding it if they tell you the details. Take someone with you to the visit before surgery to write notes. Ask questions!
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply