If you suffer from trigger finger (stenosing tenosynovitis) then you know that the condition can be frustrating. You likely experience stiffness in your finger or thumb that causes your fingers to become locked in a curled or straightened position. Your finger may decide to straighten involuntarily, causing you to unintentionally drop things.
Surgery may be the best treatment option to address this condition. However, finding the right trigger finger doctor in NJ to help you determine the best treatment path is crucial to achieving the best outcome.
What is Trigger Finger?
Trigger finger is the result of inflammation of the tendons that connect the bone to muscle, which allow for movement. The inflammation inhibits the tendons from flexing properly, which then leads to feelings of stiffness or sensations of popping when straightening out the digits. Trigger finger is most common in the ring finger, although it can affect any finger. The condition may also be known as trigger thumb, when it affects the thumb. Trigger finger is most common in adult women although it can affect both sexes and even children.
Causes of Trigger Finger
Causes of trigger finger are frequently unknown, but the condition is often related to other health issues. Some of the most common health issues associated with trigger finger include diabetes, gout and arthritis. In some cases, trigger finger may result as a complication from a recent carpal tunnel surgery. Finding an experienced and knowledgeable trigger finger doctor in NJ can help to alleviate the symptoms of trigger finger and help you to regain your grip when the pain and stiffness of trigger finger don’t respond to nonsurgical treatment modalities.
What to Expect from Trigger Finger Surgery
In adults, trigger finger may be treated by other treatments and not require surgery. A trigger finger doctor in NJ will evaluate your condition and suggest the best option to get the relief you need.
Common pre-surgical treatment option for trigger finger include:
- Splinting at night
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- If the cause of your trigger finger is thought to be repetitive motion, finding new ways to perform the activities that cause trigger finger
- Steroid injections into the tendon causing the issue
- Prescribed exercises to expand the range of motion
However, trigger finger surgery is the best treatment option after other modalities have failed to offer relief or solve the problem. Trigger finger surgery is typically successful in alleviating the pain and other symptoms associated with trigger finger. Trigger finger surgery is an effective treatment for adults but it is not recommended for children.
During your pre-surgical consultation, your hand surgeon will explain the condition as well as the surgical process. You will learn more about the benefits and recovery process as you work together to form a course of action that will get you back to your regular activities as soon as possible.
How Trigger Finger Surgery Can Benefit You
Trigger finger surgery is a relatively quick and simple procedure to alleviate the pain of trigger finger. Performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia, your trigger finger doctor in NJ places a small incision in the hand to release the tendon that is causing the trigger finger. After the procedure, the trigger finger should be released and allow you to open and close your finger normally.
Results of trigger finger surgery depend on the individual health condition. Some patients see immediate results; many people are able to use the finger as soon as anesthesia wears off. For others, results may be seen in a matter of weeks to one to two months.
How to Find the Best Trigger Finger Doctor in NJ
The key to finding the best trigger finger doctor in NJ begins with finding a doctor that specializes in hand surgery and is board certified in plastic surgery. Your doctor should also have microsurgery experience and routinely perform trigger finger procedure.
Like any surgical procedure, even an outpatient procedure, there are some risks to be aware of. Your surgeon should ensure that you understand not only the benefits of trigger finger surgery, but also the risks. Risks of trigger finger surgery may include:
- Infection and bleeding
- The possibility of continued symptoms due to a surgical approach that didn’t properly alleviate the tendons
- There may be other related risks if you have certain health conditions, so be sure to disclose your full health history to your doctor
A qualified doctor will help you understand the risks and benefits of trigger finger surgery. Having a doctor that has fully explained the procedure and recovery process to you provide peace of mind in your decision to undergo the elective procedure. At Cohen Winters, the doctors work with patients as part of a team to make sure that you feel secure and confident about the entire process.
Consider the hand specialists at Cohen Winters for your trigger finger doctor in NJ that is skilled and compassionate. At Cohen Winters, doctors are board certified and specialize in surgical procedures to ensure the best possible outcome.
