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Cosmetic SiteTrigger Finger?
What is Trigger Finger?
Normal anatomy flexor sheath showing pulley, tendon, and tenosynovium.
Trigger Finger (nodular tenosynovitis) is due to swelling of the flexor tendons. Where the tendons leave the palm and enter the finger, there is a tight band or pulley that holds the tendons close to the bone. The swollen tissue in the tendon get stuck on either side of this tight band and cause the tendon to lock, either in flexion or extension, so that it often has to be forcibly straightened. It is like a rope with a knot in it trying to go through a pulley with the knot getting stuck on one side or the other of the pulley wheel.
What are the treatment options?
Conservative therapy includes splinting, anti-inflammatory medicines, and cortisone injections. If these fail to relieve the problem completely or permanently then the surgical treatment is very successful.
Abnormal anatomy showing tendon catching thick, tight pulley. Sometimes the tendon will be locally enlarged and thicker.
A small cut is made in the palm at the base of the finger and the tight pulley band is removed. There are five other pulleys farther out in the finger, which will take over its function so its loss is not functionally important. The surgery is done as an outpatient under a local anesthesia with or without sedation. Stitches are in for 10-14 days but the finger can be moved immediately and the dressing is seldom more than a Band-Aid. The tenderness of the scar in the palm lessens with each week, and there are few restrictions once the stitches are out.