Skip to content
Get in TouchGo

Trigger finger (stenosing tenosynovitis) happens when the tendon that bends the finger or thumb becomes restricted by a swelling of the tendon catching under a tight pulley in the palm. This can cause clicking, catching, stiffness, or the finger locking in a bent position.

It’s a common condition, and it’s often related to repetitive hand use, diabetes, arthritis or age. If your symptoms are interfering with your everyday activities, this treatment can restore comfortable, smooth movement.

Options range from corticosteroid injections to surgical release. Following the British Society for Surgery of the Hand’s Best Evidence for Surgical Treatment guideline, surgery is recommended when non-operative care hasn’t provided lasting relief.



Key facts about trigger finger surgery

Benefits of trigger finger surgery

Relieves clicking, locking and pain caret-down

Releasing the tight pulley allows the tendon to glide smoothly again, improving comfort almost immediately.

Restores normal finger movement caret-down

The surgery aims to help patients regain natural, fluid motion without catching or resistance.

Prevents long-term stiffness caret-down

Addressing the restriction early helps protect tendon function and reduces the risk of chronic stiffness.

Quick, effective, proven treatment caret-down

Both open and percutaneous releases have excellent success rates, supported by BSSH evidence.

Short recovery caret-down

The procedure is done under local anaesthetic, and you’ll be able to lightly use your hand straight away.

Who trigger finger surgery may help

Trigger finger surgery may help you if:

  • Your finger clicks, catches or locks
  • Symptoms are persistent or worsening
  • Pain affects grip, work or daily activities
  • Steroid injection has not provided lasting relief
  • You prefer a definitive long-term solution

Trigger finger surgery might not be the right choice if:

  • Symptoms are mild and improving with rest or splinting
  • There is an active infection or skin problem in the palm
  • You have medical conditions that need stabilising before surgery

Your Journey

We support you through surgery and beyond

1

Consultation caret-down

 

Your appointment will focus on understanding your symptoms, hand use, and how your condition affects daily tasks.

Your surgeon will examine your hand, assess tendon movement, and advise whether non-surgical treatment (such as a steroid injection) or surgical release is the best option for you.
Then you’ll be given a detailed clinic letter summarising your diagnosis, plan and aftercare guidance.



2

Preparing for surgery caret-down

 

To prepare safely:

  • Maintain good general health and stable blood sugar if you have diabetes
  • Stop smoking and nicotine for at least 6 weeks before and after surgery
  • Stop aspirin, clopidogrel and NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac) 7 days before (unless advised otherwise)
  • Stop Factor Xa inhibitors  (eg Riveroxiban, Apixaban, Edoxiban etc.), 48 hours before (unless advised otherwise)
  • Keep your palm clean and avoid hand creams on the day of surgery
  • Arrange help with driving or heavier tasks during early recovery

You’ll receive clear written instructions on how to prepare properly for your procedure.



3

Day of surgery caret-down

 

Trigger finger release is a day-case surgery under local anaesthetic.

  • Your palm is cleaned and numbed; you remain awake throughout
  • A small incision (open release) or fine needle technique (percutaneous release) is used
  • The tight A1 pulley is divided to free the tendon
  • The tendon is checked to ensure smooth gliding
  • Any stitches (if used) are placed and the area is covered with a light dressing

You can move your fingers straight away and go home shortly after.

You will need to arrange for a lift home after the surgery.



4

Recovery and aftercare caret-down

 

Light hand use is encouraged from the day of surgery.
A dressing is checked at your 7 – 10-day review, and if stitches have been used, they’re removed at 10 – 14 days.

We will recommend and organise a review with a hand therapist to supervise your exercises to help you maintain flexibility and reduce swelling. (These hand therapists are independent practitioners, and therefore you will be charged separately for their time.)
Most people return to normal daily activity within 2 – 3 weeks, with hand strength and comfort improving over several weeks.



Led by experience

At The Antler Clinic, your care is led by Mr David Izadi, an experienced Consultant Plastic, Reconstructive, Aesthetic and Hand Surgeon known for combining advanced surgical expertise with a calm, honest, and patient-centred approach.

With more than 20 years of experience in plastic and reconstructive surgery, aesthetic surgery, and complex hand surgery, Mr Izadi has trained extensively through both national and international fellowships at internationally recognised centres of excellence. Every consultation begins by understanding your concerns, goals, and expectations, ensuring that treatment recommendations are tailored to your individual needs.

Mr Izadi is widely recognised as a leading specialist in hand surgery and is regularly invited to teach and lecture at national professional meetings as faculty. His expertise spans the treatment of hand and wrist conditions, reconstructive procedures, and advanced surgical techniques.

He holds the Diploma in Hand Surgery, the highest specialist qualification available in this field, reflecting his commitment to excellence and the highest standards of patient care.

Whether you are seeking treatment for a hand condition, reconstructive surgery, or aesthetic concerns, you can expect expert advice, clear communication, and personalised care throughout your journey at The Antler Clinic.

Frequently asked questions about trigger finger surgery 

A quick guide to the things most people want to know before and after their procedure.


What causes trigger finger? caret-down

Trigger finger happens when the A1 pulley in the palm becomes thickened or inflamed, restricting the tendon’s movement. It may be linked to repetitive gripping, diabetes, arthritis or age.

Is trigger finger surgery painful? caret-down

Trigger finger surgery is done under local anaesthetic, so you should not feel pain during surgery. Afterwards, you should expect some mild discomfort or tenderness for a few days. You can use over-the-counter pain relief for this.

How do I cure trigger finger permanently? caret-down

Steroid injection often resolves mild to moderate trigger finger symptoms. Your surgeon will have trialed an injection before the surgery. When your symptoms persist or return, surgical release offers the most reliable long-term solution, with success rates over 95%.

What is the recovery time after trigger finger release? caret-down

Most people return to light activities immediately after their trigger finger surgery, and normal tasks within 2 – 3 weeks. Stitches are removed at 10 – 14 days if used. You’ll continue to feel improvement in your comfort over several weeks.

Why is my finger stiff after surgery? caret-down

Mild stiffness is common in the first few days after your trigger finger surgery. Gentle movement, massage, and any recommended hand therapy will help restore your flexibility. Persistent stiffness is uncommon and usually temporary.

Can trigger finger come back? caret-down

Recurrence of trigger finger after surgical release is rare. If symptoms develop in another finger, this is usually a separate condition rather than return of the original problem.

What are the risks of trigger finger surgery? caret-down

Risks include infection, stiffness, nerve injury, scar tenderness, incomplete release, persistent symptoms, bow-stringing of the tendon, recurrence, and, rarely, reduced finger motion or grip strength.



clear and transparent costs

Pricing and Finance

You will receive a clear quotation setting out the cost of your treatment and what is included before you decide whether to proceed.

Consultation Fees caret-down

A new consultation is charged at £200.

Follow-up consultations are charged at £150, unless the appointment forms part of an agreed surgical package or postoperative follow-up pathway.

Consultation fees are payable regardless of whether surgery is subsequently arranged. A consultation provides assessment, advice and discussion of treatment options; it does not guarantee that surgery will be recommended or offered.

Non-Attendance and Late Cancellation caret-down

Patients are kindly asked to provide at least three working days’ notice if they need to cancel or rearrange an appointment.

Non-attendance, or cancellation with less than three working days’ notice, will incur a fee of £125. This fee reflects the clinical time reserved for the appointment and the difficulty of offering the appointment to another patient at short notice.

Self-Pay Surgery Packages caret-down

For self-pay patients, surgery is usually provided as a fixed-price package. This is intended to give patients clarity and reassurance about the cost of their planned procedure.

Your written quotation will confirm what is included. In most cases, the package price includes:

  • Hospital fees for the planned procedure

  • Surgeon’s fee

  • Anaesthetist’s fee, where applicable

  • Standard postoperative follow-up appointments relating to the procedure

  • Routine aftercare directly related to the planned surgery, as specified in your quotation

Package prices are based on the procedure agreed at the time of booking. If the surgical plan changes, if additional procedures are requested, or if further treatment is required outside the agreed package, additional fees may apply.

Complication Cover caret-down

Self-pay surgical packages usually include a period of cover for the treatment of complications directly related to the procedure. The exact terms, duration and exclusions of this cover are set by the hospital where your surgery is performed.

Depending on the hospital, complication cover may apply for a defined period, which may be 6 or 12 months. Full details will be provided by the relevant hospital before surgery.

Complication cover is not a guarantee that all future treatment, revision surgery or additional procedures will be provided without charge. Cover may not apply to unrelated medical problems, pre-existing conditions, treatment required outside the hospital’s terms, or surgery requested for aesthetic preference rather than a recognised complication.

In an emergency, patients should seek urgent medical attention through the most appropriate service, including NHS emergency care where necessary.

Revision Surgery and Further Procedures caret-down

Every effort is made to achieve the best possible outcome, but no surgical procedure can guarantee a specific result, perfect symmetry, invisible scarring or complete satisfaction. Healing, scarring, swelling and final results vary between individuals.

If revision surgery is required because of a complication, eligibility for cover will depend on the hospital’s package terms and the clinical circumstances.

If surgery has been performed to an appropriate clinical standard, but a patient remains dissatisfied with the aesthetic outcome or wishes to pursue further refinement, any revision or additional surgery will usually incur further charges. These may include hospital fees, surgeon’s fees and anaesthetic fees.

Additional Costs and Exclusions caret-down

Unless specifically included in your written quotation, additional costs may apply for investigations, scans, specialist opinions, extra procedures, further hospital admissions, prescriptions, dressings, garments, travel, accommodation, time off work or treatment unrelated to the planned surgery.

The written quotation and the hospital’s own terms and conditions will take precedence over any general information provided on this website.

Payment Terms caret-down

Payment terms, deposits, cancellation policies and refund arrangements are determined by the hospital where your procedure is booked. These will be provided to you before surgery.

Surgery can only proceed once all required payments have been received and all relevant consent, preoperative assessment and hospital requirements have been completed.

Finance caret-down

To help make treatment more affordable, you may choose to spread the cost of your procedure through a personal medical loan with Chrysalis Finance. Subject to eligibility and approval, Chrysalis offers a range of flexible finance options, allowing you to pay for your treatment in manageable monthly instalments rather than a single upfront payment.

The hospitals we work with offer finance options through Chrysalis Finance. Please contact your chosen hospital directly for further information or to discuss any questions.

 

Private Medical Insurance caret-down

Mr Izadi is registered with the private medical insurers shown below. Coverage for consultations and treatment is subject to the terms of your policy and insurers approval.

White Bupa text with a heartbeat waveform line next to it on a grey background, reflecting the expertise of a specialist in plastic surgery.
Cigna healthcare logo with stylised grey text and a leaf-like design above the i, representing a trusted specialist in fields such as plastic surgery.
WPA logo in white letters on a dark rectangle, with the words Health Insurance written below in grey, highlighting cover options for specialist treatments such as plastic surgery.
The image shows the word Vitality written in a bold, cursive, black font on a light background, evoking the refined touch of a specialist in plastic surgery.
The image shows the word Healix in black text on a white background. The H has a stylised curved line looping through its left vertical stroke, evoking the precision and artistry found in plastic surgery specialist branding.
Police Mutual logo with the word Police in bold black letters above Mutual in light grey, both in a clean, sans-serif font on a white background—a design as precise and professional as a specialist in their field.
Aviva logo in black and white, featuring a stylised rectangular shape divided into dark and light sections above the word AVIVA in bold capital letters—capturing the precision and expertise you’d expect from a specialist in fields like plastic surgery.
AXA Health logo featuring the AXA name in white on a dark square, alongside the word

Get in Touch

Your next step starts with a conversation.

A consultation at The Antler Clinic is simply a chance to talk – to ask questions, explore your options, and decide what feels right for you.

You’ll leave with clarity, reassurance, and the same calm support that defines everything we do.

Close