More than 8.5 million Americans currently experience trigger finger. This condition can dramatically impact the lives of these individuals depending on their profession or hobbies.
What is trigger finger? It is a condition in which one or more of your fingers gets stuck in a bent position. The finger may bend or straighten with a snap - like a trigger being pulled and released. Trigger finger is also known as stenosing tenosynovitis.
Trigger finger occurs due to inflammation of the tendons that flex the fingers, causing finger tenderness and pain. The condition limits the finger’s movement and can make it difficult to straighten and bend.
Symptoms can include: a lingering soreness in the base of the thumb or another finger, a bump or lump around the base of the finger near the palm, tenderness around the base of the finger, a clicking or snapping noise with movement, or finger stiffness.
The good news is that trigger finger is treatable, and thanks to a new device, individuals can rebound more quickly and benefit from immediate resolution.
Richard Schaefer, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon with SSM Health Fond du Lac Regional Clinic, became the first surgeon in the United States on January 21 to utilize UltraGuideTFR™ - a new device allowing Dr. Schaefer to perform trigger finger release with ultrasound guidance.
Patients are able to receive the procedure in an office setting with no sedation. “The procedure requires only a small incision into the palm of the hand - only four milliliters - with only local anesthetic,” according to Dr. Schaefer. “No stitches are needed, and patients experience a quick recovery. Patients appreciate getting back to their lives more quickly.”
Once started, the procedure only takes just minutes. Patients leave with a hand dressing, which can be removed two days later, and they can use their hand as tolerated. Over-the-counter medications can help with any pain, although generally minimal.
Individuals usually presenting with trigger finger generally are in their 40s and 50s with equal representation of men and women.
“While trigger finger isn’t necessarily a condition that individuals receive at their workplace, it does impact their ability to work,” according to Dr. Schaefer. “By offering this procedure, they can benefit from a better patient experience, and return to their normal work routines or outside activities at a better pace. And, without needing full anesthesia, they can drive themselves to and from the office for the more cost-effective procedure.”
