Has Anyone Gotten Trigger Finger After Carpal Tunnel Surgery?

I also have begun experiencing trigger thumb on my right hand about 3 months after CTS on that same hand, which had successfully cured my nightly numbness and burning nerve pain.
Although I have tried to massage the scar as advised, it remains very hard to break up and still has a great deal of sensitivity and soreness around it particularly extending upward to the thumb.  I never had any problem with trigger thumb before the surgery for carpal tunnel release, so I definitely feel it is related.  I am calling immediately after the holidays to get in to see the surgeon and try at least to get a steroid shot for relief.  I really don't want another surgery now.  I've previously had both shoulders operated to correct rotator cuff tears, plus the CTS this past fall, all by the same surgeon, but can't tolerate the thought of any more just now.
My sympathies to all you who are suffering this same problem, and to the doctors who deny the surgery has anything to do with it, I say they are trying to cover their butts, in case they did anything which contributed to it.   I personally would never sue over it, but do expect honesty, and if the CTS could have contributed to the new problem, just admit it can happen.
All surgery has risk.  It obviously doesn't happen all the time, but often enough to show some correlation.  Patients are not stupid!!!  My sister-in-law had the CTS successfully as well and hasn't had any other problems with her hand, but her surgeoon used another technique than mine did.

I just had carpal tunnel surgery on both hands..the right hand was done on june 15 then the left on june 29..now I too have trigger thumb on my left hand..if we are all complaining about it after our surgeries then I do believe it one has to do with the other..but why are our drs denying it..my dr said they were two different things.....I don't think so..

Yes, about two months after each carpal tunnel release. First, my right hand, then my left. The workers compensation insurance carrier told me it is not related. My hand surgeon said my symptoms were "early signs of trigger thumb" but denied that it was related to the CTR, and two follow up hand surgeons said it is NOT related.....I don't believe that....It definitely appears to be related...too coincidental...thumb symptoms appeared about two months after EACH surgery......Never had a problem with my thumbs prior to endoscopic carpal tunnel release. And I did read somewhere that the carpal tunnel is related to something that controls the thumb.

I had CTS on my left hand in 8/08 and my right hand in 9/08.  In February 09', I developed very painful trigger finger of my right thumb. I went back to the Dr. Who did my surgery and was given a cortisone injection.  He told me that this shot would last approximately six months.  It was almost six months to the date, in 8/09, when the symptoms began to reappear in my right thumb. I returned to the Dr. Again and was given the same injection. I was also told by the Dr. That this was the last injection that I could receive in my thumb and I would need surgery should this happen again.  I spoke with the Dr. And he stated to me that there is no correlation between CTS and trigger thumb.  I find this very hard to believe, as I had never had a problem with trigger thumb before my CTS.

I to have trigger finger in my right thumb. My doctor just today told me or made me think that it was not related to the CTS surgery I went through in Sept 08. My insurance sent me to a surgeon for my left hand and he explained to me that trigger finger is all a part of carpal tunnel syndrome, it is not from the surgery. It sure feels like its from the surgery since like all of you it showed up shortly after the surgery with no symptoms before going in. Its almost like the surgery loosened something up and its bunched up at the base of my thumb. I sure hope it does not happen in my left hand.

Yes. I have had carpal tunnel release operations on both hands, and in one case after about three months, and in the other almost immediately, I suffered from trigger thumb.  I had my left thumb dealt with eighteen months ago, and I have now just had my right thumb released.  My surgeon said there was no connection, but it strikes me that it might be a good topic for a  bit of research!

Yes, I also had carpal tunnel surgery in my right hand.  After surgery my ring finger starting catching.  It has been a year since my surgery and my trigger finger is so bad it will catch and I will have to pull it back in position.  When this happens it is painful.

I have had a deQuervain tenosynovitis release in both of my wrists and Carpal Tunnel releases in both hands.
  The first was my right wrist which was done in 1995 (at age 15)  The left wrist was operated on in 1998. It felt as though I had "developed" carpal tunnel and trigger finger in both hands.  I noticed that the longer I did nothing about it the worse the trigger finger became, the carpal tunnel remaining as bad.  
Thankfully I went to an occupational hand therapist who was wonderful in showing me slow movemnt hand movement techniques to do first thing in the morning and throughout the day as necessary.  I had 4 splints made for the trigger fingers.
In 2001 (age 21) I had the first Carpal Tunnel release.  The hand surgeon that I was referred to went through a whole battery of tests before he would even operate.  The second carpal tunnel release was done in 2002.  
The fact that I did occupatioal hand therapy again after each surgery - measurement of wrist, finger and hand strenghth 1 week after, 3 weeks after, 1 month and again 2 months after - along with a series of hand motions and exercises to do, made a huge difference.  She stressed how it is so important to start with slow movements to ease any cramping and to get the fingers moving to increase blood flow. She stressedthe need to do this to prevent the onset of trigger finger. (as I already had this from way before it wasn't going to prevent it, though it helped to ease it.)

2010 I am having the first series of trigger finger releases....  
The particular hand surgeon that I go to says that it is possible that from damage to the nerves and stopping movement due to pain after the surgery is what may cause the onset of trigger finger in many cases.

(I live in South Africa)

I had CTS surgery of the right hand on 2/26/09. Last week, I developed trigger finger - middle and ring finger. I didn't have this condition before surgery. Almost 10 weeks post surgery. My scar is hard and painful, I have burning sensations around the scar, 3 1/2 fingers are still numb but not burning and painful as before surgery. I experience cramping nightly and have loss of grip strength. I also still cannot make a tight fist and when I attempt bending my fingers, I have a lot of pain. I had a repeat EMG which showed no compression but there is no doubt that the after effects are a direct result of surgery. Trigger finger post CTS surgery is no coincidence. I have a follow-up with a different surgeon next week and will provide an update. Hang in there trigger finger sufferers!!

Yes. Had both done via open(vice with a scope) procedure. Only right thumb is giving mr problems, steroid injection 'cured' it for ~6-7 months, but now it's back.  I think I'm going to get A1 pulley release surgery.  Everything I've read says it's safe.  If it's not in your thumb, they can do the procedure in the office (google percutaneous A-1 pulley release)  The thumb needs to be done via open technique due to the close proximity (

Yes I too have gotten right thumb trigger finger after my carpal tunnel release.   My surgeon told me it is definately tied in with carpal tunnel problems.

I had trigger thumb surgery on both hand in July, 2010.  3 months after having that surgery I now have symptoms of carpal tunnel.  I saw the doctor and they gave me night splints to wear.  I called the doctor and told him at night my hands and arms feel like they are on fire.  He said to make sure I don't have splints on to tight.  I did that and it didn't help.  He also stated if that doesn't work to not wear the splints I am still having the problem of burning in my hands and arms.  I am going to have a EMG done soon.  They doctor seem surprise that this is happening.  I'm also waking up in the morning and my thumbs feel tight.  The doctor told me to take Aleve which doesn't seem to help either.  Does anyone have any suggestions in the mean time.

I had CTS on left hand in 2007. I needed CTS on the right but didn't like the numbness from the surgery on the left. I began having trigger finger of middle finger first on the Right hand the one without surgery. To compensate I started using left hand for tasks. That started the left trigger finger of middle finger. TF is not necessarily a result of the surgery but of the condition of CT syndrome I believe. CT started after back surgery in 2006 when I had to use my hands to get up rather than back. Then TF began after using reach-er tool to pick up things. Overuse is a factor.
How do I keep TF from getting worse and keep it from occurring in other fingers?
I don't want any more surgery

Yes, I had carpal tunnel surgery on my right hand and about 3 months after started having trigger finger prob with right thumb, then left hand and same thumb prob. At same time limit. I believe it was because of surgery. Why would the time from surgery to thumb prob be exactly the same for each? Had surgery for thumbs and now having same prob with right middle finger. When will this stop? Don't want to have surgery on all of them.

Surfing and found this site.  Surgery on right hand for CT Oct 21/09 and I thought things were going great!  Tonight I hugged my daughter, right hand cramped and I could not open middle and ring fingers.  Able to straighten ring finger after a few minutes, but had to manually straighten middle finger and could sense "clicking" as it opened up.  Have NEVER had anything like this prior to surgery, hoping it is not a permanent side effect.  Anyone else have pain in the forearm and down the pinky?

I had carpel tunnel surgery on my right hand in March this year (2009) and since then I can't use my thumbs, both are rigid and very painful and I have very little strength in both hands. The surgery stopped the waking up at night with numbness in my hand but I had no other problems with my hands before that.

I too had ct release on both hands  jan 09 and April 09  
I am now experiencing locking on my right pinky . Very painful in the mornings.  My work comp doctor states it may possibly be due to my CTR but most likely work comp insurance will deny as no evidence that trigger finger due to ctr .

This is very interesting to me because my husband is experiencing the exact same issue. He had bilateral CTS surgery and within 2 weeks of returning to work - about 2 months post surgery, Now, he has bilateral trigger thumb. It has to be related as he NEVER had that before. He is going back to the doctor too.

Me too everyone. Never had trigger finger before. I had my surgeries about 3 months apart performed by two different drs, one with incision at wrist, the other with incision at base of palm below wrist. I developed trigger finger in both thumbs with cysts at the bases. They (cycts) are very tender. I believe they are related in some way.

Had surgery on both hands within the year and now both thumbs are locking all the time, never had before surgery

Trigger Finger Following Carpal Tunnel Release - this is an article available for reading at : Http://sciencelinks.jp/j-east/article/200606/000020060606A0025960.php

Basically the answer is a resounding YES to the original question posted.

YES, I've been wondering the same thing, I had surgery 1 year ago and having more problems with trigger finger now that I never had before. The surgery done away with the tingling and numbness but now I have more problems with strength, grip, trigger finger that I didn't have before. I wonder too is this is a blotched up job from the surgery, wonder if this is going to be this way from now on, not getting better. Went through therapy and lost over 50% of grip and strength since surgery, wake up with hands curved and stiff, scary!

I had carpal tunnel surgery in both wrists. Four months after the surgery, my left hand now has severe trigger thumb, where my thumb is locked in a extended position. I also did not find any relief from carpal tunnel release, the numbness is now a burning pain 24 hours a day.

Hi all, I was first diagnosed with bilateral CT in 05 and had right CT (open) surgery 2 months ago. Since the surgery I have experienced burning pain in the thumb pad and around the incision. About a week ago I noticed 2 fingers and my thumb would seize up and 'click' back, a bit like when you crack your knuckles. My fingers are still stiff and I have pain when using my hand. I am due to have left CT surgery in a couple of months but am debating this now due to my current symptoms. From reading posts this seems to be a problem that can last some time with very little direction as to how long symptoms may last. If anyone finds info on trigger finger and CT surgery I would appreciate links. Cheers!

I also had carpal tunnel surgery about 3 years ago. I have had nothing but problems with both my hands since. I have been in physiotherapy, chronic pain management and nothing if anything my hands are deteriorating. I have trigger finger in both thumbs and 2 fingers on my left hand. Also one finger on my right hand with a second getting ready to go. I never had any problems with my fingers prior to the surgery so I would say YES it is definitely related to the surgery.

I too have had bi lateral carpal tunnel surgery done (twice on each hand to which were unsuccessful for me)  and am now suffering from trigger finger, it is only my thumbs that  are affected, I am a paramedic and am seeing my GP Monday to see about this.  Are the two related?

Yes, over a period of 5 years I have had left CTS, right CTS, trigger thumb releases on both hands, 3 trigger finger releases (ring and middle on right hand and ring finger on left hand).  I even took early retirement because I thought it was the job (I was a secretary). Now I am having triggering of middle finger left hand and have had 2 shots in it.  The last one didn't help at all.  I also never had triggering problems until after the CTS surgeries.  Dr. Disclaims that there is any relationship, but I don't know.  Very annoying.

To all Trigger finger suffers: It is NOT related. I had CT release on my right hand in September, then had it on my left hand in October. About 1 week BEFORE I had the left hand done, the trigger finger problems started. So they actually fixed it while they were doing the CT release. I now have the same exact problem on my right hand...

I had carpal tunnel decompression on my right hand almost one year ago.  Around 2 months ago I started to get trigger finger in my thumb on my right hand.  I don't think that people should discount this as not being caused by the operation but I think more research needs to be done into it.  I am fairly sure that mine is caused by the decompression  (I'm a trained nurse). In my case it definitely is not a psychological link I have created. 
 
What tratment for trigger does everyone get?

I had Carpal Tunnel surgery rt hand 8 months ago and guess what? I have Trigger thumb on rt hand and am going back to Hand Center tomorrow. I couldn't help but think it was related or a cause. Too many people with same situation. Locking up in CT...KarenD

This is so ironic, My Carpal Tunnel Surg was on 2-19-09 on right hand, I'm scheduled for the left hand and a cubittal tunnel release or transposition. My trigger finger on my right thumb just started about 2 weeks ago. I was told by my surgeon that he would inject it during my next surgery on 6-25-09. I'm kinda worried :(

About an hour ago I went to the hospital to moan about my clicky thumb..the doctor diagnosed trigger thumb within seconds.Then he proceeded to injected me with steroids!
I have had cps surgery in  both hands and an extended cps operation on my right hand..the one that has trigger thumb!
Got to say when I read the comments on this site I was freaked out..my doctor also said it wasnt related to the previous surgery!! I am now awaiting more nerve testing as BOTH my hands have severe cps symptoms again! What are we supposed to do?

P.s I have heard knotweed is good for carpal tunnel syndrome, can't do any harm to give it a try

I had cts surgery on my   right hand bout 14yrs ago & have had no problems with trigger finger, I'm now booked to have cts surgery on left hand BUT have got trigger finger in the middle finger already. How many people have had cts surgey but not had any problems? Seems only people that have got trigger finger afterwards have commented

I had CTS on my left hand for numbness in the fingers, swelling and pain.  I also had the ulner nerve moved from my elbow.  This was on May 26th 2012.  I went to the doctor and he sent me for some blood tests and found I was positive for rheumatoid arthritis.  I also have trigger pinky and thumb after the surgery and tremendous swelling, pain and weakness.  I have been so pissed, I started pulling and twisting on  my wrist and it seemed to be helping.  Today, I lifted my grandson in his carrier using my bad left hand by lifting it across the thumb near the wrist.  I did this on purpose to apply a lateral force on the wrist.  Then, I felt and heard a POP at the base of my thumb.  Suddenly, my pain was diminishing.  My trigger pinky stopped hurting in about 30 min, still hurts to bend towards the palm, but much less.  My wrist pain has been subsiding gradually as well as my trigger thumb pain.  The swelling has been going away slowly.  I had taken 2, 200 mg ibuprofen and 1, vicodin about 1 hour earlier for pain and inflammation.  I was taking a lot more the previous few days as prescribed.  I believe that the CTS surgery moves around and shifts tendons with inflammation being a big part of the problem.  I now think it is important to force certain movements to release tendons.  My strength has now been coming back.  I previously asked the doctor if releasing the carpal tunnel in that way would disrupt the rest of the tendons and ligaments of the wrist and he said no.  Well, I think they are wrong.  I have a PhD in physics and I have been studying this now.  Your body should tell you what you need to release the tendons from their stiffness, just like I felt I needed to lift that baby carrier with the baby in it for the weight and I felt the shift and pop and no I did not drop him because I only needed to lift it a few inches.  I am also able to type better all of a sudden as I type this blog.  Amazing what you can learn by simply listening to your body during the healing process from such an invasive surgery.  I will be doing more of this in the coming weeks as I fully recover from this surgery.

I have learned that medical doctors only practice medicine, they are not all knowing at all and sometimes they have to be proven wrong. 

I had a broken neck in C-1 and I refused surgery after looking at my own MRI's and studying them.  I told the local doctor that it would heal without surgery and even the doctors at Mayo clinic said it would never heal when I paid $700 cash for their opinion, the best doctor there.  They were very wrong and I have fully healed now 2 years later.  The local doctor is to this day totally amazed and humbled to say the least.  For that one, I had my fiance rub the sides of my neck near C-1 at the base of my skull during the healing process because I felt it was needed and it felt good.  I had her put a fairly large squeezing pressure just below my ears on both sides pushing inward toward the spine.  Yes it hurt, but at the same time it felt good.  While she was rubbing it one evening, both of us felt and heard a loud pop at C-1.  My neck felt better.  I had them do an MRI a week later and found that she had set the C-1 fracture and pushed the vertebrae together, this allowed the bone to fuse properly.  The natural healing process always amazes me.

I too developed trigger thumb about 4 months after CTS. Very painful

I had carpal tunnel surgery bilateral in Nov & following Dec of 08. Now my right thumb dislocates. Is that what you are calling tigger finger?

The same thing happened to me approx 6 months after my carpal tunnel surgery.  I've gotten no answers either.

Hi Tunnel,

Have you sen the doctor who performed your surgery? Have you had an EMG test done? What is the doctor doing to find out about this condition?

Please let me know what you find out.

Merry Christmas!!