For someone suffering from trigger finger (aka stenosing tenosynovitis), receiving a professional diagnosis has a two-fold effect. It can bring relief by gaining an understanding of what the condition is, and its underlying causes, but it also comes with decisions that need to be made regarding treatment.
Early diagnosis by an orthopedic surgeon is vital because, if left untreated (or with incorrect/insufficient treatment), the condition can worsen. Something that was a mild hindrance, with a finger that locks or clicks occasionally, can develop into a far more serious issue that impedes free movement and, indeed, quality of life.
When Should I Consider Trigger Finger Surgery?
For patients in the North Idaho region, Dr. Mike Schicker is the go-to orthopedic surgeon for a prompt, empathetic diagnosis and specialist treatment of trigger finger focused on long-term movement and quality of life.
Not every case will require surgery. After careful assessment, Dr.Schicker may advise a less-invasive treatment for patients with early or mild cases of the condition, such as a targeted corticosteroid injection.
It is important to understand that decisions are made on an individual, case-by-case basis, so the question “when should I consider trigger finger surgery?” cannot be answered on your own.
Dr. Schicker considers not just the medical facts, but also the holistic well-being and long-term health goals of each patient.
Specialist Assessment Leads to Correct Advice and Treatment
It’s not unusual for someone with an early or mild case of trigger finger to have adapted their day-to-day movement to compensate for the occasional “catching” or “clicking” that characterizes the condition. While making things more manageable in the short term by relieving pain, adjustments like this are only a temporary workaround, and can lead to a delay in getting a professional diagnosis.
As the condition progresses and the mechanical restriction becomes more severe, options for conservative treatment reduce and surgical intervention may be the only way forward.
During an initial consultation with a patient who presents with symptoms of a locked finger, Dr. Schicker concentrates on a calm, unhurried examination, asking specific questions that help him discover the underlying causes of the issue. His thorough, patient-focused approach means that the most important parts of his diagnosis are centered around:
- To what stage has the condition progressed?
- How is the patient affected now?
- What is the patient looking for as a long-term outcome?
He can then offer clear, informed treatment options and explain the realistic outcomes based on the individual case.
When is Surgical Intervention Required?
Patients present with the condition at every stage, including those experiencing severe and persistent locking of one or multiple fingers and significant loss of function.
Some of those who have developed advanced cases have been adapting their movement (the previously mentioned “temporary workarounds”) for a prolonged period of time. Others may have already tried non-surgical treatment, like a corticosteroid injection. In these situations, the question of “injection vs surgery for trigger finger treatment” is probably already on their mind. A vital part of Dr. Schicker’s consultation is to make sure they understand exactly what the next step should be.
Interpreting the Progression and Behavior of the Condition
Dr. Schicker is committed to ensuring he provides honest, realistic guidance and clear explanations of a patient’s options. The decision of which treatment is most likely to achieve the best outcome should never be based on general advice, or the patient’s desire to avoid surgery, but on what is the most reliable and effective solution for the individual case.
A corticosteroid injection treats the inflammation and not the underlying mechanical issue, but can produce very good results. For some patients it can be “one and done” and their condition doesn’t ever recur. Sometimes the results can be effective, but temporary, with symptoms returning over time. Depending on how successful the outcome of pain relief and return to movement was with the first injection, a second may be considered.
When more conservative treatment has failed to provide a successful outcome, and a patient presents with persistent pain and locking of their finger, it may be beyond the scope of non-surgical treatment.
Interpreting the stage to which the condition has progressed is a vital part of Dr. Schiker’s diagnosis. When trigger finger is significantly impacting a patient’s movement and quality of life, surgical intervention may be suggested as the most realistic treatment to relieve pain, return to daily activity, and prevent further damage.
Surgery: Not the Last Resort, the Best Way Forward
When surgery is advised as the most appropriate way forward, patients are often surprised that it is a simple procedure. It usually takes under fifteen minutes and is performed under local anesthetic in the specialist’s office.
The surgery should not be seen as something to be feared but as an effective, reliable way to restore smooth movement of the finger.