Trigger finger treatment in Edinburgh
Trigger finger makes a finger click, stiffen or lock bent when the tendon catches in its sheath. A steroid injection at the first appointment settles it in around seven in ten people, and release surgery is there if it doesn’t.
- Anaesthetic
- Local
- Surgery time
- 20 minutes
- Hospital stay
- Walk in walkout
- Recovery
- No time to 2 weeks off work (depending on the nature of your work)
- Your consultant
Contents
Understanding trigger finger
Trigger Finger can affect any finger, including the thumb. It’s more common in fingers that frequently perform gripping actions and can occur in one or more fingers. The condition is more prevalent in women and those with certain medical conditions like diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
The exact cause of Trigger Finger is not always clear. However, it’s often linked to repetitive motion or forceful use of the finger or thumb. Occupations and hobbies that involve prolonged gripping or repetitive hand use can increase the risk.
What trigger finger treatment can and can’t do
A steroid injection settles most trigger fingers, and a short operation sorts out nearly all the rest. What neither can do is promise the finger will never catch again, and the injection works less well if you have diabetes.
It can
- Settle the clicking, locking and pain with a single steroid injection in about seven in ten people, sometimes within days and sometimes over several weeks.
- Be repeated if the first injection wears off. A second injection gives about four in ten people lasting relief, and half of them at least a year.
- Release the tendon for good with a 20-minute operation under local anaesthetic. Triggering returning after surgery is uncommon.
- Let you use the hand lightly from the day of surgery, with a small dressing for 10 to 14 days.
- Ease mild cases with a night splint that holds the finger straight, which sometimes avoids an injection altogether.
It can’t
- Guarantee the injection lasts. Over five to ten years, fewer than half of people are still free of triggering after one injection, and most of those it fails come back within two years.
- Work as well if you have diabetes. The injection is less likely to succeed, and after surgery wound problems and slow return of movement are more common.
- Free up a stiff finger overnight. The locking usually stops straight away, but full movement and grip strength can take weeks to months.
- Be done without a scar. The small scar in the palm can be red and tender for several weeks, though it is seldom troublesome long term.
- Stop another finger triggering later. Almost half of people have more than one trigger finger over time. A new one is a new problem, not the treatment failing.
Your consultant will tell you at your consultation which of these apply to you.
Risks, and how often they happen
Every operation carries risk. Here they are in three groups, with how often they happen where the evidence allows. Your consultant will go through them with you, and they are in your written consent.
Expected Almost everyone, and they settle
-
Soreness at the injection site for a day or two after a steroid injection.
-
A small scar in the palm, red and tender for several weeks after surgery.
-
Swelling and stiffness of the finger for the first few weeks after surgery, with full grip strength taking weeks to months.
-
A dressing for 10 to 14 days, with light use of the hand allowed from the day of surgery.
Uncommon Some patients, and some need further treatment
-
Slow return of movement, lingering pain or swelling after surgery, usually settled with exercises, hand therapy or an injection.About 1 in 15more common with diabetes
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Wound problems, such as a stitch abscess, surface infection or the wound edges separating, treated with dressings or antibiotics.About 1 in 50
-
Triggering persisting or returning after surgery and needing a second operation.About 1 in 100studies range from 1 in 40 to 1 in 100
Rare but serious
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Thinning or a pale patch of skin at the injection site.Rare
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Injury to the small nerve running alongside the tendon, leaving numbness on one side of the finger. The nerves are closest in the thumb.Very rarenone in a series of 1,598 releases
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Deep infection needing a washout in theatre.Very rare
-
A lasting pain reaction in the hand (complex regional pain syndrome).Rare
For the long term
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Relief from an injection can wear off. Most failures happen within two years. If you are still free of triggering two years on, you are likely to stay that way.
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Other fingers can trigger later. Each can be treated in the same way, by injection or release.
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Driving. Drive once you can grip the wheel firmly and make an emergency stop without pain, usually after a week or two, and check your insurer’s rules.
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Hand therapy. Most people do not need formal hand therapy. If you do, we will refer you.
Where these figures come from
- BSSH, Trigger finger and trigger thumb patient leaflet (2016) and patient page. For: Steroid injection success (hero claim "around seven in ten").
- Wojahn RD et al., J Bone Joint Surg Am 2014;96(22):1849-54. For: Long-term success of one injection; multiple trigger fingers.
- Dardas AZ et al., J Hand Surg Am 2017;42(4):227-235. For: Second and third injections.
- Baumgarten KM et al., J Bone Joint Surg Am 2007;89(12):2604-11. For: Injection success with diabetes.
- Bruijnzeel H et al., J Hand Surg Am 2012;37(8):1650-6. For: Minor adverse events, wound problems, recurrence, nerve injury, deep infection after release.
- Everding NG et al., Hand (N Y) 2015;10(2):297-300. For: Complications and reoperation after release (second series).
- Will R, Lubahn J, J Hand Surg Am 2010;35(4):594-6. For: Minor complications after release (small series).
- NHS, Trigger finger. For: Splint, injection and surgery sequence.
- Page Overview; BSSH leaflet ("usually performed under local anaesthesia"). For: DVT or PE; anaesthetic reaction.
Figures are drawn from UK national guidance and published studies, and your own risk may be higher or lower. More from the British Society for Surgery of the Hand and the NHS.
everything was very efficient and all staff was friendly and helpfull. The consultant was helpfull and explained all details.
James
Sep 2026 Read on Trustpilot (opens in a new tab)
FAQ section: trigger finger
What is trigger finger?
Trigger finger, medically known as stenosing tenosynovitis, is a condition where one of your fingers gets stuck in a bent position. It may straighten with a snap, like a trigger being pulled and released. This condition occurs when inflammation narrows the space within the sheath surrounding the affected finger’s tendon.
What are the symptoms of trigger finger?
Symptoms of trigger finger include stiffness, especially in the morning; a popping or clicking sensation as you move your finger; tenderness or a bump (nodule) in the palm at the base of the affected finger; and the finger catching or locking in a bent position, which suddenly pops straight.
Who is at risk for developing trigger finger?
Individuals most at risk include women, people over 40 years of age, those with occupations or hobbies that involve repetitive hand use and prolonged gripping, and people with certain health conditions like diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis.
How is trigger finger diagnosed at your waterfront hospital?
Diagnosis typically involves a physical examination. Your doctor may ask you to open and close your hand, checking for areas of pain, smoothness of movement, and evidence of locking. Imaging tests are only necessary if there’s concern about an underlying condition.
What treatment options does your waterfront hospital offer for trigger finger?
Treatment options range from rest, splinting, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to steroid injections and surgery, depending on the severity of the condition. Our specialists tailor treatment plans to individual needs, focusing on relieving symptoms and restoring finger movement.
Can trigger finger be treated without surgery?
Yes, many cases of trigger finger can be treated without surgery. Initial treatments may include rest, splinting the affected finger, and steroid injections to reduce inflammation. Physical therapy may also be recommended to improve flexibility and strength.
What does trigger finger surgery involve?
Trigger finger surgery, performed under local anaesthesia, involves making a small incision in the palm of your hand to access and widen the tendon sheath, allowing the tendon to move freely again. This procedure is typically outpatient, with patients returning home the same day.
What is the recovery process like after trigger finger surgery?
Recovery varies by individual but generally includes rest, gentle exercises to improve motion, and possibly physical therapy. Most patients experience immediate relief from locking symptoms, though full recovery of grip strength and range of motion may take a few weeks to months.
Are there any complications associated with trigger finger surgery?
Serious complications such as nerve injury or deep infection are very rare, but around one in fifteen people have a minor problem such as a sore wound or a slow return of movement, which usually settles with time or therapy. Our team takes comprehensive measures to minimise these risks and support a smooth recovery.
How can I prevent trigger finger?
While not all cases can be prevented, reducing risk factors can help. This includes taking regular breaks from repetitive activities, using ergonomic tools, and doing exercises to strengthen your hands and fingers. If you have conditions like diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis, managing them effectively can also reduce your risk.
How can I schedule an appointment to discuss my trigger finger symptoms?
You can schedule an appointment by contacting our hospital through our website or phone. Our dedicated team is ready to assist you in evaluating your symptoms and discussing the best treatment options tailored to your situation.
Written by
Ms. Philippa Rust, GMC 4321455, is a fully accredited Hand Surgeon on the GMC Specialist Register for Orthopaedic Surgery. Since 2010, she has been a Consultant at the Plastic Surgery Unit of St John’s Hospital in Edinburgh, specialising exclusively in hand and wrist surgery. Ms Rust is among the first in the UK to hold the Diploma of Hand Surgery and is skilled in advanced techniques, including wrist arthroscopy.
Mr Kazem Nassar, MBChB, FRCS (Plast), GMC 7131999, is a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon Consultant with over 10 years of experience. He practices at St John’s Hospital and the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh, specialising in melanoma, skin cancer treatments, breast surgery, and post-cancer reconstructive surgery.
