"Trigger finger," or stenosing tenosynovitis, is a condition in which a patient's finger may catch in a certain position and may straighten with a snap, similar to a trigger being pulled. Trigger finger is a condition that involves the tendons and the tendon sheaths of a patient's finger. The cause is unknown, but it occurs because tendons may form small nodules that get caught under tendon sheaths. This condition is commonly treated conservatively; however, surgery may be necessary. The patient should understand the risks of surgery before proceeding.
Persistent Triggering
According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, a patient who undergoes trigger finger surgery may continue to experience triggering as a side effect of the surgery. This occurs because a surgeon may not fully relieve the first part of the sheath. Incomplete relief may cause the nodule in the tendon to continue to catch the tendon sheath. Consistent triggering may continue to worsen over time with the condition. In this case, a patient should contact his surgeon so that an additional surgery can be scheduled to fully relieve the first part of the tendon sheath.
Bowstringing
Bowstringing, a loosening of the tendon from the finger, may occur in patients who undergo trigger finger surgery. This occurs because the surgeon may incompletely release the first part of the tendon sheath during surgery, which can result in a loose tendon. In this case, the patient should immediately let her surgeon know that she is experiencing a loose tendon. The surgeon may perform a second surgery to repair the tendon sheath so that bowstringing will no longer occur.
Infection
Infection is a common risk of trigger finger surgery, as it is with all surgeries. Infection is a risk because bacteria on the skin or the surgeon's surgical tools may reproduce in the surgical sight. Bacteria in a surgical wound can cause infection of the surgical site, infection of the joint or infection of the patient's entire body. In this case, a patient may notice excessive drainage at the surgical site, excessive pain, excessive tenderness or a foul smelling odor coming from the surgical site. In more severe cases, the infection may spread through the patient's body and cause fevers, chills and night sweats. The patient should seek emergency treatment if he is experiencing signs of an infection.
