TRIGGER FINGER
SURGERY

You want to avoid any trigger finger steroid injections within the 3 months prior to surgery.

You should organise someone to drive you to and from your appointment.

You will want to make work arrangements for 2-4 weeks post surgery depending on your type of work.

If you are on certain types of medication such as blood thinners, your surgeon will discuss stopping these prior to surgery.

Trigger finger release surgery can be completed in around 15 minutes. However, there is additional time required for injection of local anaesthesia, application of tourniquet and so on, which will add to the total time.

Yes. As the surgery is done under local anaesthetic you will be awake, but you will not feel any pain.

If you are taking medication that thins the blood, you must inform us so we can make arrangements to stop this prior to surgery. This is to minimise bleeding during and after the operation.

Trigger finger is diagnosed clinically on examination, therefore no tests or investigations will be required.

As with any surgery, there are risks involved, including infection, nerve damage, stiffness, and pain at the scar site. However, trigger finger surgery is generally considered safe and effective. Your surgeon will discuss risks with you in more detail prior to your operation and obtaining your consent.

You will be wearing a bulky dressing for 3 days after your surgery.  You will have a small plaster dressing which will remain for around 2 weeks until the wound is healed and stitches are removed.  You will need to avoid heavy lifting for 3 weeks post surgery.

For office based jobs you are able to return to work after 1-2 weeks.  If you have a physical job you will need around 3-6 weeks off work depending on your type of job.  

You can have trigger finger surgery on both hands in the same setting. However, you will need someone to look after your intimate needs for 2 weeks after the surgery. This will include washing, toiletting, dressing, and so on.

You can start to drive once the wound has starting healing and the bulky bandage is off.  You need to ensure you are able to do an emergency stop safely, if required.  It is your responsibility to check with your insurance company before returning to driving.

As we are a private clinic, we are able to serve patients from all areas, including Cardiff, but also neighbouring places such as Newport, Swansea, Bristol, Somerset and Gloucester.