[Georgia]

Hi
I am due to have surgery for trigger finger. Has anyone had it? How long was recovery? Will I be able to style my hair and put on my make-up (yeah, I am a typical girl!) when my hand is all bandaged up? I actually have it in both hands but am having 2 separate operations so that I am still able to do a few things for myself.
Thanks

[cyberus]

Depends on how bad the nodule on the tendon is.

If it just requires a quick scrape you should ok in a week.

If they have to clip the tendon and reattach it then you're gonna have a bandaged hand for a while.

[notme]

I had it quite badly in my left thumb. The trigger (thumb) started one night out of the blue and got so bad that my thumb would very painfully snap into place when I tried to straighten it or bend it. I had the surgery done on Dec. 16th. The surgery was a piece of cake. I was awake for the most part with a lot of numbing of my hand. They give you enough medication that you drop off to sleep for a couple of minutes. It was totally painless and very easy. The recouperation was also easy. Took about two weeks to get down to a small bandage and a few more weeks, I was almost good as new. I can barely see a scar now.... Don't worry about it at all. I managed to do my hair (amazing how you need those opposing thumbs for that). You will figure out alternate ways of doing things for a couple of weeks. I think a finger would be much easier than thumb. I even managed to come here and type!

[Georgia]

Thanks both

I will be having 3 fingers (including my thumb) operated on at the same time. I guess this will make it more tricky for me to do anything for myself, such as put up my hair. Great

[cyberus]

Originally Posted by Georgia

Thanks both

I will be having 3 fingers (including my thumb) operated on at the same time. I guess this will make it more tricky for me to do anything for myself, such as put up my hair. Great

I survived overlapping carpal tunnel surgery you can survive this trust me.

[pegasus]

Originally Posted by Georgia

Thanks both

I will be having 3 fingers (including my thumb) operated on at the same time. I guess this will make it more tricky for me to do anything for myself, such as put up my hair. Great

I've had several fingers done at the same time, and while it's awkward, moving around's doable. I imagine it depends on the kind of surgery. MIne weren't scrapped; my doc opened the tendon sheath at the base of the finger to allow the inflamed tendon to pass through. He says with this technique it can't recur in the same finger; so far, so good (after 17 years); I've had 8 fingers total, but no repeaters.

[notme]

In a couple of weeks, you will be as good as new Georgia! Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[Dewey]

Several months ago, I had surgery on my right middle finger, as it was suffering from trigger finger. In less than a week, I had the bulky bandage off & got the sutures removed. The day after surgery, I went to physical therapy & after only about 3 weeks of that, I was "back up & fully running." Though I still encounter a little bit of stiffness now & then (when bad weather hits), I'm sooooo glad I did it. It's worth it & the inconvenience doesn't last long, especially if you heal quickly. Good luck on the surgery & hang in there. The relief you will feel will be worth the time you are inconvenienced.

[teleman]

My trigger finger is itchy

[fgummett]

Originally Posted by Dewey

Several months ago, I had surgery on my right middle finger, as it was suffering from trigger finger.

Apologies for my wicked sense of humour and I sincerely mean no disrespect to anyone who is suffering with trigger finger but I just had a picture of what the bandaging after middle finger surgery might look like not to mention the physical therapy exercise to strengthen said finger...

[Busy Betty]

Georgia,
When is/was your surgery for 3 fingers? How did it go?

I am having trouble with multiple trigger fingers too. I am now scheduled to have ALL FIVE fingers on my left hand done.
I am right handed so I hope it is not too bad!!!

[Georgia]

My surgery is on Tuesday - I will definitely let you know how it goes & how my recovery is. Sorry you are suffering with this too

[It Ain't Over]

I had trigger thumb a few years back. MD injected with cortisone and that hurt more that anything I can remember, and I remember a lot of painful happenings.
I think surgery is an excellent idea. Althought after three injections the trigger went away.

[teleman]

Originally Posted by It Ain't Over

I had trigger thumb a few years back. MD injected with cortisone and that hurt more that anything I can remember, and I remember a lot of painful happenings.
I think surgery is an excellent idea. Althought after three injections the trigger went away.

I had the same thing in the early 90s. I called it Nintendinitis. Got the cortisone injections in the thumb tendons and stopped playing video games. No problem since. I'll never forget how much the cortisone injection hurt.

[barbarac]

I had it for a while back around '93. Once I retired and quit using the computer as much and writing as much, it just sort of went away on it's own. Hope it never comes back--very painful.