Trigger Finger Release in Wayne, NJ

Trigger finger is a common condition that makes it difficult to smoothly bend and straighten your fingers. This loss of dexterity and mobility often impacts a person’s ability to work and do the things they enjoy. For patients living in Wayne, NJ, and the surrounding areas, High Mountain Orthopedics delivers advanced trigger release procedures to address these issues and restore function. Our highly trained team will diagnose your condition and determine which treatments are most appropriate for you.

What Is Trigger Finger?

Throughout your body, muscles are attached to bone by cords of fibrous tissue called tendons. Each tendon is surrounded by a protective sheath. Tendons slide smoothly through these sheaths and allow free movement of the joint. When the sheath becomes swollen or inflamed, however, it can restrict this movement. This condition is called trigger finger when it occurs in the hand. It causes several symptoms, which include:

• Stiffness in the affected finger, especially in the morning
• Popping or clicking sensations when moving the finger
• A tender spot or bump below the base of the finger
• A finger that suddenly pops straight, like a trigger
• A finger caught or locked in a bent position

The condition can affect any finger, including the thumb. It may even affect more than one finger and can involve both hands. Symptoms tend to worsen in the morning or when firmly grasping an object.

Common Causes and Risk Factors

The causes of trigger finger are not well-known. Still, researchers have identified several risk factors that may contribute to many cases of trigger finger. Anyone can be diagnosed with this condition, but the following health and lifestyle factors may put a patient at higher risk:

• Age: Most cases of trigger finger appear in people between the ages of 40 and 60 when scar tissue has built up in the sheath but individuals are still likely to be working.
• Sex: For reasons unknown, trigger finger is more common in women than in men.
• Health: Certain health problems have been associated with a higher occurrence of trigger finger. These include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, gout, and others.
• Occupation: If your occupation or hobby requires repetitive hand use or prolonged gripping, the cumulative effect may increase your chances of developing trigger finger.
• Previous Procedures: Trigger finger is a complication that may be associated with carpal tunnel release surgery, especially during the first six months after the procedure.

Trigger Finger Release

Mild cases of trigger finger may be treated through rest, medication, and the use of a splint. If symptoms persist, the doctors at High Mountain Orthopedics provide trigger finger release surgery for long-term relief. The procedure involves making a tiny cut in the sheath. This widens the space around the tendons, allowing them to slide more easily through the affected sheath and enabling free finger movement without pain or stiffness.

Trigger finger release is typically offered as an outpatient procedure. This means that you can go home on the same day as your surgery and won’t have to stay in the hospital. Recovery should take only a few weeks. We may recommend physical therapy to restore strength and free movement. This ensures long-term improvement and reduces the risk of a recurrence.

Begin Your Recovery

If you have been experiencing the signs of trigger finger or other hand and wrist concerns, get in touch with the experts at High Mountain Orthopedics. We offer physical therapy and trigger finger release procedures to patients throughout Wayne, NJ to improve your symptoms and help you get back to your regular routines. Contact us to learn more or to schedule an appointment today.