10 Solutions for That 'Stuck' Finger: Effectively Treating Trigger Finger

6. Percutaneous Release

When trigger finger causes chronic symptoms that don't respond to nonsurgical treatment, doctors may recommend a percutaneous release surgery. In some cases, patients with trigger finger may lose the ability to move their tendons through the sheath entirely, leading to the finger being permanently stuck in a curled position. Surgery frees the constricted sheath of the tendon, which in turn restores free movement to the affected digit. The procedure is done with local anesthesia. It can either be completed through a surgical incision or by piercing the finger with a needle. Regardless of the method, the procedure is considered a mostly low-risk one. With needle procedures, the needle breaks apart the constricted tissue, guided by a real-time ultrasound scan. Since there isn't an incision, stitches aren't necessary. Some professionals prefer open surgery because an incision allows the surgeon to clearly see the affected tissue, but a needle procedure has fewer risks and a shorter recovery time.