Important Notice

This information is provided as supplemental educational material for established patients of Lee M. Reichel, M.D., receiving care through Austin Regional Clinic. It is not individualized medical advice and does not replace the instructions provided directly by Dr. Reichel or your ARC care team.

Every patient’s condition and treatment are different. Do not apply this information to another person or use it to make medical decisions outside Dr. Reichel’s practice. If this information differs from instructions given specifically to you, follow your individualized instructions and contact the office for clarification.

Accessing this page does not establish a physician-patient relationship. This page is not monitored for medical questions or emergencies. For urgent concerns, contact your treating medical team; for an emergency, call 911 or seek emergency care.

For My Patients / After-Surgery Care

PROCEDURE RECOVERY GUIDE

After Trigger Finger Release

Keep the finger gliding while protecting the incision and watching for swelling or stiffness after trigger release.

Your discharge instructions come first

Use the instructions you received from Dr. Reichel and the surgical center as your primary guide. They may differ from this general overview because they are tailored to your procedure and health.

The first few days

Elevate the hand when swelling or throbbing increases.
Follow the medication plan on your discharge instructions and take only medicines approved for you.
Begin comfortable finger motion when your surgeon’s instructions allow; early motion is commonly encouraged after routine release.

Dressing and incision

Keep the dressing clean and dry until the removal time on your discharge sheet.
Once allowed, cover the incision with a clean, light dressing if it rubs on clothing or surfaces.
Do not soak the hand or apply lotions to an unsealed incision.

Movement

Slowly make a fist, then fully straighten the fingers. Repeat short, comfortable sets while awake.
Pay special attention to fully straightening the treated finger without forcing it.
If the finger remains stiff or swollen, ask whether hand therapy would help.

Activity and work

Light use is generally preferable to complete rest, within the limits of your personalized plan.
Avoid forceful gripping and repetitive heavy hand use while the incision is tender.
Return to work depends on which finger was treated and the grip demands of your job.

What may be normal

Mild swelling and soreness in the palm or finger.
A firm or sensitive scar during early healing.
Stiffness that improves gradually with motion.
Occasional early clicking sensations from swelling; true recurrent locking should be reported.

Call the surgical team promptly if…

The finger becomes more difficult to bend or straighten rather than gradually easier.
Increasing redness, drainage, warmth, fever, or wound opening.
Persistent color change, coldness, severe swelling, or new marked numbness.
Pain is escalating despite following the written plan.

A general recovery timeline

First week: Protect the incision and practice gentle bending and straightening.
Around 2 weeks: The incision is commonly checked and sutures may be removed if used.
Weeks 3–6: Scar tenderness and stiffness usually continue to improve as grip activity returns.
Following months: Residual swelling or stiffness may take longer, especially when present before surgery.

Learn more: AAOS OrthoInfo: Trigger Finger.

This is general education. Your personalized discharge instructions and follow-up plan take priority.