Spring finger

This involves making a small incision along the skin lines, at the level of the first tension band. The skin line is opened and any adhesions between the tendons are loosened. Afterwards, the skin is closed with a few sutures.

During keyhole surgery, the surgeon opens the tendon sheath through a small incision, eliminating friction and blockage with the flexor tendon. The tendon can then be decongested. Sutures are not necessary. The small wound heals completely by itself.

This technique can only be performed on spring fingers with obvious blockage, without contracture (forced position).

In patients with severe tendon swelling and contracture (forced position), it is sometimes insufficient just to open the first tension band of the tendon sheath and loosen the tendons. Then it may be useful to remove half of the superficial tendon (ulnar slip resection). For this, the surgeon makes two small incisions and which he closes with a few stitches.

The procedure does not affect your muscle strength. Afterwards, you can perform any movement again.

On the day of your admission, come to the hospital at the appointed hour sober and sign in with your identity card via one of the e-kiosks in the atrium (entrance hall).

Via the e-kiosk, you will receive a ticket with a tracking number on it that will be projected on the digital screens in the waiting area. A staff member completes your file and you are given a care band with your name, first name and date of birth on it. After that, your admission proceeds through the operating theatre lounge.

In the operating theatre, you will be prepared for surgery. The operation is usually performed under local anaesthetic. The anaesthetist will visit you for this. If you have any questions about the anaesthesia or the procedure, please do not hesitate to ask.

After the operation, you will enter our pleasant recovery lounge. The nurse checks your vital parameters while you rest from the operation. This procedure promotes a quick and pleasant discharge procedure, allowing you to leave the hospital smoothly.

For the first few days after the procedure, keep your hand elevated to counteract finger swelling. Moving the fingers also has a decongestant effect. You can also put ice on your fingers in 20-minute periods. Anti-inflammatories have a decongestant effect, but should only be taken on the advice of your attending physician.

A scar on the hand becomes softer after about four months. Be patient. After wound healing, you can massage the scar to loosen it. Moisturising creams or a silicone covering (Mepitac tape) can also be useful. Always protect the scar from the sun.

If there is too much swelling, a pinch-off bandage or cast may occur. If the above advice does not help, you can relax the windel or take off the hand bandage. The windel in an open cast can also be relaxed.

Postoperative hand dressing catches any subsequent bleeding. High-strength hand and ice can also help. Anti-inflammatory medication is possible, but is always done in consultation with your doctor

This complication occurs very rarely, yet more frequently in smokers and diabetics. Contact your doctor or the emergency department in case of sharply increasing pain, fever (> 38.5 °C), a festering wound or increasing and spreading redness.

Very rarely, temporary loss of sensation occurs in the fingers due to tension of the bandage or swelling. Put the hand higher, relax the windel of the bandage, put ice on it. Contact our service if you have any concerns.