Anyone had surgery for trigger finger?
For those of you who don’t know, this is an injury in the ligaments of the finger that causes a bulge in the cord that makes it difficult to go into, or out of the guiding sheath in your palm. I was diagnosed with trigger finger a couple of years back. Since then, this has gotten progressivly worse so that I sometimes have problems opening my fingers if I close my hand too much. My middle and ring finger on both hands are affected.
I know this is fairly common, I was wondering if anyone here has had the surgery that opens up the sheath in the hand. In reading about it (I’m no longer near my regular doc who diagnosed it) it looks like there could be significant downtime involved – no use of hands. Any experiences to share?
Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
Replies
I havent, but my suggestion...
One hand at a time. I think I would want to try to stop the madness and suffering.
Oh and follow the downtime rules, you dont want it to go bad because you were impatient.
-zen
edit: maybe you could wait until slow season for your dominant hand, if you have a slow season.
Edited 6/15/2005 8:57 am ET by zendo
I had the surgery for trigger thumb [same affliction, different digit]. As I remember it, the surgery was on a Thursday, and I went to work on Monday wearing a glove. At the time I had a job that involved assembling and hanging about 500 florescent light fixtures. My hand was tender for a while, but I was able to work. I don't remember if my return to work was with the doctor's blessing or not, but he didn't have my responsibilities [or bills!]. I hope you have a speedy recovery.
Chuck
I had the repair done 9 months ago, it was my right middle finger. That fact often caused job issues when I had to mannualy open the finger back out. The rehab time was nothing. It healed and I was back working in a week. It only took about a month before everything was working as before. Only problem is that I can't blame it for my golf game.
Have you tried cortisone injections before resorting to surgery?
Great topic - I've had this for several years on several fingers and had no idea what it was. It seems to come and go (worst after a couple days using the nailgun).
Does it continue to deteriorate or can I expect it to continue the way it is? It honestly doesn't bother me that much - has been more of a curiousity than anything up to this point.
Am I correct in assuming it is induced by the way I abuse my hands?
I think abuse is a contributer, but it can't be the only one as my left hand has it just as bad as my right.
Like I said, I haven't seen a doctor yet with it being this advanced. When I did have it looked at it was a curiosity, and we talked about the cortizone shot and the surgury but didn't get a chance to do anything. Now there are times that I close my hand and I can't open a finger back up again - trying to force it open with the other hand is excruciating too! It comes out, but it is getting worse.
From what I read, cortizone is the first step, then surgury. But if it is advanced then surgury may be the only option. It sounds like those who have had this have gotten back in the game pretty quick. My primary job is Stay-Home-Dad with HDIY as my second job. If I can't turn a screw or squeeze pliers for a week, no big deal. If I can't change a diaper for a week, well that is one stinky problem!Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
If you'll allow an orthopedic surgeon (and DIY'er) to chime in:
Once trigger finger becomes chronic, cortisone shots are usually not very effective, and worse, if the tendons became "frayed" after having the problem for this long, the cortisone could allow you to overuse the finger without pain as feedback. The result is a torn tendon, major reconstructive surgery, and WAY more downtime.
Sometimes, surgery is the more "conservative" course. Discuss this with your surgeon.
As for disability, I ask my patients to move their fingers soon, but not to do anything really forcible for 3-4 weeks. Diaper changing should be OK once you're out of the bulky hand dressing (3-4 days) that most of us use after hand surgery. But until the stitches are out and the wound heals, I think a protective rubber glove would be a good idea when handling those stinky diapers!
Good luck!
Thanks for that input!
OK, plan for month of possible downtime... so I'll get this looked at after the roof, and after the master bath. Priorities!Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
It comes from using too many screws.
;)
My father had it when he was old and eventually got a surgery for it. The scar tissue was incomvenient for him but noit as bad as haing the finger constantly cocked.
My daughter had it in both thumbs when she was two years old and the doc siad that if she didn't have cotrrective surgery that it would become a permanent disability and not correctable later since she was still in formative stage. Seems to be no lingering difficulty for her
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
I thought is was from slapping my head and going "D'OH"!
Wow, hard to imagine having something like that with a kid... well at least not yet. My 2.5 yo is on hardcore acid blockers for reflux, if he doesn't grow out of it soon, he might need surgury too. He'll be OK, it's his Mom I'm worried about!Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
I hope that after you decide to have this done, you have a speedy recovery without complications. and because my humor leans this way,.... you are not going to do it yourself are you? maddog
Edited 6/15/2005 7:09 pm ET by maddog
"you are not going to do it yourself are you?"That reminds me of the kid who was told to go wash his hands before dinner - "Both of them?"He probably won't make it a full DIY surgery, but he's likely to tell the surgeon to use screws instead of sutures
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Hey, bones are incredibly strong when augemented with screws!Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
Paul: Had it done on right ring finger. Not bad at all. was using hand after about three days, Worst problem was keepig the dressing clean for the week I had to wear it. No swelling, no real pain, discomfort or use handicap after about ten days. I think it was three yrs ago. Can't even see the scar now. Feel nothing. It's as good as new.DonThe GlassMasterworks - If it scratches, I etch it!
yup!!!!
Should I use stainless screws or coated? For the cutting I was thinking a fresh utility blade but would a carpet knife be better? I suck at sewing so what size crown stapler should I go with? And then should I rinse the incision with alcohol or is mixing it with cranberry juice better, on ice of course to reduce inflammation?
the type of screws depends on the type of wood used for the splints, and for me a carpet knife works quite well at skinning large cables!
It would be a better choice for cutting something that is round. Years ago butchers used a stapler that wrapped the staple around a bag, I am sure you can still find a pneumatic one with a foot switch. after ward I would dunk the whole thing in cider maddog
One big help was that they let her take her favorite Teddy Bear in the OR with her as she was slipping under the anesthetic, and then when they wheeled her out again, the Teddy had bandages on his paws too! She got a real kick out of that.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
That is sooooo cute about the bear.
Well, I'd do it myself, but incising one hand with the other that is bandaged... well, I guess I'd like to see it done once before I try it ;)Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
Just hold the utility knife with your mouth (or your toes, whichever you have less control with).:o
Suggest you trade in your screwdriver for a cordless model. ;)
"Suggest you trade in your screwdriver for a cordless model. ;)"Wouldn't a swinsuit model be easier on his fingers?
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Can you get a cordless swimsuit model? Mine came with just a six foot cord and I'm always yanking it out (so to speak). How about a solar powered swimsuit model?
You are not suppsed to pull the cord. Taht is what makes Chatty Cathy talk. I like the silent model
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Doah!! The cord broke and now she won't stop talking!!! I tried putting shiny rocks on her fingers but it doesn't last long enough. Then a small one popped out of the big one and now that won't stop either...aaiigghhh!
Same here, though I'm surprised they went with previcid so early, Regulan now as well. We were on Zantac for the past 2 years. The first year of his life, he was up at least twice a night screaming. That was good... because at first he was waking up at least 5 times a night before we started Zantac.
Amazing how stupid you are when you get constantly woken up at night, every night for a year. Of couse some would say I haven't fully recovered yet!
Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!