Trigger Finger Release Surgery
Performed By Your Neighbouhood Shoulder Surgeons Dr. Salvatore Corso & Dr. Jeffrey Guttman
At Empire Pain Management, Minimally Invasive Spine & Orthopedic Specialists you get the best Trigger Finger Release Surgery. We strive to provide the best possible care to help our patients find relief and improve their quality of life.
Call us today for a consultation or to make an appointment. We serve patients across New York and New Jersey, including communities such as Plainview, Ronkonkoma, New Hyde Park, Montville, Clifton and Plainfield.
If a finger keeps catching, clicking, or locking in a bent position — then snaps straight painfully — that’s trigger finger, and a quick release procedure can free it. Our orthopedic team treats trigger finger across Long Island and northern New Jersey, with offices in Plainview, New Hyde Park, and Ronkonkoma, NY, and Clifton, Montville, and Plainfield, NJ.
The short version
- Trigger finger happens when a tendon in your finger can’t glide smoothly through a tight tunnel (the A1 pulley).
- Release surgery opens that tight pulley so the tendon moves freely again.
- It’s a quick outpatient procedure done under local anesthesia, through a tiny incision in the palm.
- Many people try splinting or a steroid injection first; surgery is for cases that don’t settle.
What trigger finger is
Your finger tendons slide back and forth through a series of snug tunnels, called pulleys, each time you bend and straighten. In trigger finger, the tendon or the entrance to the first pulley (the A1 pulley) becomes swollen and irritated, so the tendon catches as it tries to glide through. The result is a finger that clicks, catches, or locks in a bent position — sometimes with a tender bump at the base of the finger.
The medical name is stenosing tenosynovitis. It’s more common in the thumb, ring, and middle fingers, and in people with diabetes or repetitive gripping demands.
Non-surgical options come first
Surgery usually isn’t the first step. Many cases improve with:
- Resting the finger and modifying activities that aggravate it
- A splint to keep the finger from curling, especially at night
- A corticosteroid injection near the pulley to reduce swelling
When these don’t resolve the catching — or the finger keeps locking — a release procedure is the reliable next step.
What the release procedure involves
Trigger finger release is a short outpatient procedure. The area is numbed with local anesthesia, and the surgeon makes a small incision in the palm to open the tight A1 pulley, giving the tendon room to glide freely again. It typically takes only a few minutes, and you go home the same day.
What recovery looks like: You can usually move the finger right away, which helps prevent stiffness. Some soreness and swelling in the palm for a couple of weeks is normal. Most people return to light activity quickly, with fuller use as the incision heals. Your surgeon will give you specific guidance, and hand therapy is sometimes recommended.
Are you a candidate?
A release may be worth discussing when:
- Your finger regularly catches, clicks, or locks in a bent position
- Splinting or a steroid injection hasn’t resolved it, or the problem keeps returning
- The finger locks and is difficult or painful to straighten
- The problem is interfering with work or daily activities
Related hand procedures
Trigger finger and carpal tunnel syndrome sometimes occur together. If you also have numbness or tingling in the hand, our carpal tunnel release page covers that related condition.
Why patients across Long Island and North Jersey choose Empire
We’re a local orthopedic and pain practice, so your evaluation, procedure, and follow-up all happen close to home with the same team.
- New York: Plainview, New Hyde Park, and Ronkonkoma — across Nassau and Suffolk
- New Jersey: Clifton, Montville, and Plainfield — serving Passaic, Morris, and Union County communities
- Orthopedics and interventional pain management under one roof
- Conservative options and surgery, matched to your case
Insurance
Coverage varies by plan and by location, and we accept many major insurance plans across our New York and New Jersey offices. The simplest way to know exactly what your plan covers is to call — our team will verify your benefits before your visit, so there are no surprises. Whether you’re on Long Island or in North Jersey, reach out and we’ll walk you through your options.
Frequently asked questions
Does trigger finger release hurt?
The area is numbed first, so the procedure itself is well tolerated. Afterward, expect some soreness in the palm for a couple of weeks, which usually settles on its own.
How long is recovery?
Most people move the finger right away and return to light activity quickly, with fuller use as the palm heals over a few weeks. Recovery varies with the finger involved and your job.
Will my finger work normally again?
Releasing the tight pulley lets the tendon glide freely, and most people regain smooth movement. As with any procedure, results vary and your surgeon will discuss what to expect.
Do I have to have surgery?
Not necessarily. Many cases improve with rest, splinting, or a steroid injection. Surgery is generally for fingers that keep catching or locking despite those measures.
Is it done under general anesthesia?
Usually not. It’s typically done with local anesthesia while you’re awake, as a quick outpatient procedure, and you go home the same day.
Can more than one finger be treated?
Yes, if more than one finger is affected, your surgeon will discuss the best plan for treating them.
Finger catching or locking up?
Our orthopedic team sees patients across Long Island, NY and northern New Jersey. We’ll examine your hand and tell you whether trigger finger release — or a simpler step first — is right for you.
New York: 516-229-1443 | New Jersey: 732-630-7246
Medicare, Workers Comp,
No Fault & Others.
We accept most major insurance plans across our New York and New Jersey offices. Select your state to see accepted plans.
Accepted at our New York Locations
Workers' Compensation
No-Fault (NY & NJ)
Lien Cases
Medicare
Empire BCBS
BCBS / Anthem
Cigna
Aetna
Empire NYSHIP
Oxford (PPO)
United Health Care
GHI / Emblem Health
Humana (PPO)
Magnacare (PPO)
Northwell Direct
1199 SEIU
Self Pay
Accepted at our New Jersey Locations
No-Fault (NJ)
Lien Cases
Horizon BCBS
Empire NYSHIP
BCBS / Anthem (PPO)
Cigna
Aetna (PPO)
GHI / Emblem (PPO)
Port Authority UHC
Verizon Plan
Carpenter & Trade Unions
Self Pay
Medicare and Medicaid are not accepted at our New Jersey locations. Not sure about your plan? Call us and we'll verify before your visit.
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Meet Our Pain Management & Orthopedic Specialists
Dr. Monica Misak
Interventional Pain Specialist
Dr. James Yu, D.O.
Board Certified Anesthesiologist
Board Certified Interventional
Pain Management Physician
Dylan J. O'Rourke
Certified Physician Assistant
Pain Conditions Affecting Daily Life
Improve your quality of life with our comprehensive approach to pain management
We are dedicated to finding individualized treatment options tailored to fit your needs. Our team is dedicated to helping you lead a productive and active life, free from pain and disruption.
We use an integrative approach to conduct a comprehensive evaluation and assess your condition.
Physical examination and review of your medical history. We assess the cause of your pain, determine its severity and duration, and help you develop an individualized treatment plan.
We provide a range of treatments and procedures to address your chronic pain. These include nerve blocks, injections, physical therapy, implantable therapies and more. We also offer health education to help you better manage your condition.