Treatment of trigger finger

April 24th, 2007

A trigger finger or thumb causes pain at the base of the digit, and may also result in locking--triggering--in a flexed position. 60-70% of the time a single cortisone shot will cure the problem. Usually I will see you back in 4-6 weeks, and if your pain is not completely better, I will offer you a 2nd injection. A recent paper in the Journal of hand surgery actually suggested that as many as 5 injections may, at times, result in a cure if the 1st few do not. As a general rule, however, if the 1st two do not work, it usually means that surgical release of the A-1 pulley will be necessary. This is a 5 minute procedure and can be done under a local, with or without sedation--depending on you preference. You will remove your dressing in 2 days and place a bandaid, and your sutures will be removed in 2 weeks.

Related Photos:

The A-1 pulley is released at the base of the finger (or thumb) to treat painful trigger finger that does not respond to a cortisone injection

Related Videos:

cortisone injection of a trigger finger is frequently helpful