trigger thumb post op numbness

[KNicl]

Hello,
4 weeks ago I had surgery to release trigger thumb. One side of my thumb has been numb since then. Is there anything that can be done about this? Thanks.

[JanetF32]

I had trigger finger, right thumb, release surgery almost 12 weeks ago. The next morning, the nerve block had worn off and my thumb felt fairly good. The day after that I noticed numbness at and around the incision site, which I expected but also the whole underside of my thumb was numb all the way to the tip of my finger as well. It felt gross when my thumb touched or rubbed on anything. The kind of numbness that gives awful sensations and stings like when my foot loses circulation and I try and rub it to get it going again. I continued to kept my hand elevated and iced. I also have not used it for any repetitive motion like using the computer mouse or hitting the space bar on my keyboard. Over the next 9 weeks, I felt almost no improvement with the numbness and then 2 weeks ago, I started to feel marked improvement daily. The numbness was dissipating. Today it feels very good with only slight numbness. 4 weeks ago I began taking some systemic enzymes that are known to dissolve scar/dead tissue. I had them in my cabinet, left over from my Lyme Disease treatment. I really can't be sure what is the cause for the numbness resolving. Be it elevation, ice, systemic enzymes, not using it for repetitive use, or just the natural healing process itself. The enzymes I took are Serrapeptase/Nattokinase and Lumbrokinase. I took 2 capsules Serrapeptase with 1 capsule Nattokinase on and empty stomach between breakfast and lunch 3 days per week ( M W F ) and 2 capsules Lumbrokinase on an empty stomach between lunch and dinner 3 days per week ( M W F )

[tinyjune2]

you mean the doctor said it could take a year to get the feeling back. Is that without more surgery?

[LainMae12]

Nearly 12 weeks post trigger thumb/carpal tunnel surgery on primary hand, the thumb joint is enlarged and hand still feels tight.  Pain in the region of the surgery and thumb when hand is utilized in a normal/usual pattern.  Palm has some discoloration and remains tender.  What would you recommend?  Would an orthopedic physician be of any assistance?
Thank you.

[Snakepliskin]

I had release of my second and middle finger on my left hand one week ago. The surgeon seems to have done a neat job of the sutures but I am left with what I can only see as being problems. Neither finger is very flexible now i.e. I can't straighten either of them (regardless of the pain - they just won't straighten. Secondly, one of the fingers, the middle digit is COMPLETELY numb. Now, I've seen a lot of people talking about their thumbs being affected, but this is my middle finger. Has the surgeon messed up and damaged the nerve, or will the feeling come back again eventually?

[Terri136]

Hi There, I had a trigger thumb two years ago and had the surgery.  The surgery went well, I had very little pain.  I teach keyboarding and I type a lot.  Well, I noticed that the numbness that I felt at the tip of my thumb and on the side of my thumb was continuing weeks after the surgery.  I did see the orthopedic surgeon after the surgery and he said that hopefully it would heal, however, sometimes the numbness is permanent.  I'm sure in my case it's permanent since it is now nearing the two year time span.  The fact is that my thumb does not hurt and it does not trigger.  That is a vast improvement and I just accepted the numbness.  After reading your post, I would never have surgery done further on my thumb.  I'm glad I saw this because I often wondered if I should go back for further treatment.

[memphis237]

H there
I had the same surgery last april and my surgeon said it could be up to a year before feeling in your thumb returns. I had the same numbness down one side. He then discovered he had severed the nerves in my thumb during the procedure and last week I went in to have them repaired. Am now in paster for 3 weeks in loads of pain and very fed up!
Hope yours heals well and no complications
Take care

[pamie265]

Hallo I also have had surgery for trigger thumb and carpal tunnel in the last 5 weeks.  I was reading your response to another fellow sufferer, and wondered if you could tell me what spacific physio you would recommend for me.  I plkay the piano, and type constantly on my laptop, and I use the thumb for these things.  But I guess there is something more specific I could do to try and bring the thumb back to normal.  Incidentally it is only the side and tip of the thumb I cannot feel.  The other side is ok.

Thanks in anticipation of your help.

[JainMD]

Hi,
How are you feeling?
A trigger finger is a manifestation of stenosing tenosynovitis that results in painful catching of the involved flexor tendon as the patient flexes and extends the digit.
As the affected digit is slowly flexed, it snaps or triggers into a flexed position.
Once the digit triggers, extension is difficult and, occasionally, must be obtained manual.
Many require surgical intervention, which is recommended before 4 years of age to prevent permanent contracture of the IP joint.
Surgery is the option if conservative treatment fails.
A small transverse or oblique incision is made in the region of the A1 pulley (just distal to the distal transverse palmar crease) and overlying the affected flexor tendon.
The A1 pulley is incised. After surgical release, the hand is bandaged for several days.
Activity is resumed gradually.
Surgical risks include digital nerve laceration, tendon rupture, infection, and reflex sympathetic dystrophy.
What you are having is one of the complications of surgery. You can start on physiotherapy as this would avoid disuse atrophy of muscle and as nerve injury would take time to heal.
Keep me informed if you have any queries.
Bye.

[1monyb]

I had trigger thumb surgery and after a week the doctor took the stitches out, placed a band aide on my hand, said I could bathe and sent me back to work. I went home washed the marker off my hand and noticed the first and last stitch was not closed. I returned quickly to his office and was told that was normal. After a week I had an infection. It was very painful. I had another surgery and afterwards the wounds were left open to allow any infection to drain. A few days after another surgery was performed to close the wounds. My thumb as been numb for over a month now and still has pain off and on with limited movement. I've been in therapy with little improvement to movement and no improvement to the numbness. Is this permanent?