Trigger Finger Surgery Rehabilitation

Trigger finger occurs when your flexor tendon becomes stuck, making it impossible to straighten your finger. Severe cases of trigger surgery may necessitate surgery that cuts the tendon in order to allow finger movement. Rehabilitation includes finger exercises that reduce swelling and pain while also strengthening and stretching the muscles that allow for full finger functioning. Check with your doctor first since not all rehab maneuvers may be for you.

Finger exercises can improve strength and flexibility following surgery. (Image: Wavebreakmedia Ltd/Wavebreak Media/Getty Images)

Arm Lifts

Trigger finger surgery rehabilitation needs to concentrate on reducing the swelling of your surgical area. Decreasing the amount of swelling of your surgical area will also lower your pain levels. Reduce swelling by slowly lifting your surgical arm above your head while either standing or sitting. Hold this position for 10 seconds. Slowly return your arm to the original position. Relax 10 seconds. Repeat this exercise eight times. Do this exercise throughout the day to keep swelling down.

Nimble Fingers

Keeping your finger nimble and flexible will lower your risk of muscle stiffness, an important consideration during trigger finger surgery rehabilitation. Do some finger stretches while sitting upright at a table or in a firm chair. Gently lift your surgical arm in front of your body. Slowly bend your fingers until the tips lie on the fleshy part of your palm, just underneath your fingers. Keep your wrist straight. Hold this position 10 seconds. Slowly return your fingers to the original position and slowly separate all fingers. Hold this stretch five seconds. Return your hand to the original position. Relax 10 seconds. Repeat this exercise 10 times.

Hand Puppets

Trigger finger surgery rehabilitation can include tendon gliding exercises. Also used during carpal tunnel rehab, this exercise involves gently lifting your surgical hand in front of your body. Do a tendon glide by gently and slowly lowering your fingers toward your thumb until there is a 1-inch space between your thumb and fingers. Keep your wrist straight. Straighten your fingers. Pretend you are making hand shadow puppets. Hold this position eight seconds. Slowly return your hand to the original position and stretch your fingers apart. Hold this position five seconds. Return your fingers and hand to the original position. Relax 20 seconds. Repeat this exercise 10 times.

Whole Finger Stretching

Another tendon gliding exercises to include in your trigger finger surgery rehabilitation includes full finger stretching. Slowly lift your surgical hand. Turn your palms facing inward, toward your body. Gently and slowly move your fingers toward your palm as far as possible. Do not bend the knuckle closest to your fingernail. Place your thumb over your fingers. Hold this position 10 seconds. Slowly return your fingers to the original position. Relax 10 seconds. Repeat this exercise 10 times.