How Much Does Trigger Finger Surgery Cost?


Written by:  Howmuchisit.org Staff

Trigger finger, also known as stenosing tenosynovitis, is a medical condition where a finger is caught or locked in a bent or extended position.  When forcibly flexed or extended, the affected finger snaps and causes a painful sensation. One of the treatment options for the condition is trigger finger surgery.

Trigger finger surgery is a relatively minor procedure and can be done on an outpatient basis in the United States.

Finger Flick Stretch - Open by Musespeak, on Flickr
Finger Flick Stretch – Open” (CC BY 2.0) by Musespeak

How much does trigger finger surgery cost?

On average, the entire trigger finger surgery can range anywhere from as little as $400 to as much as $4,000 without insurance; however, as long as it’s done at a local doctor’s office or stand-alone center, the costs will be in the $400 to $2,000 range.  Usually, complex, long-term hospital stays will be more than $4,000.  The costs, ultimately, will depend on the doctor performing the surgery, the facility used, the complexity of the surgery, inclusions in the bill and geographical location.

FacilityAverage Price
Office-based procedure$400 to $750
Stand-alone surgery center$1,400 to $2,400
Hospital ambulatory surgery center$3,000+

NOTE:  These price ranges apply for procedures without any complications.

According to this HandSurgery.org study, they had found the costs varied from $463 to $669 if done in an office-based setting or $1,528 to $2,229 if performed at a stand-alone surgery center.  The most expensive option, a hospital ambulatory surgery center, would cost upwards of $2,979.

PlacidWay.com says the cost of trigger finger surgery in the United States is anywhere from $700 to $900, depending on the finger and severity.

The Surgery Center of Oklahoma, according to its official website, says it will cost $2,600 for this procedure.

Trigger finger surgery overview

Trigger finger surgery will often be performed by a licensed plastic, general practitioner or orthopedic surgeon.

During an open surgery, the doctor will first inject a local anesthetic into the affected finger while you lie flat on a table with your hand sprawled out at your side.  Next, creating an incision along the base of the finger, usually less than one centimeter long, the skin will be separated so the doctor can adequately view the tendon sheath causing the trigger finger.  Identifying the proper pulley in the affected finger, he or she will slice through it, reliving the construction, allowing the tendon to move freely.  Two to four stitches will then be needed to close the incision.

Another surgical method, known as percutaneous surgery, will use a needle to break apart the blockage within the tendon sheath.  This procedure only requires a local anesthetic and can often be done at a local doctor’s office.  The only downside to this procedure is that the surgeon can’t view the affected pulley while cutting.

In most cases, you should be able to resume normal activities within 10 to 21 days, but in extreme circumstances, occupational therapy may be required and could take upwards of three months to recover if this were the case.

What are the extra costs?

Occupational therapy, if necessary after the procedure, could cost a few extra hundred dollars, depending on the number of sessions required.

If the surgery was performed at a hospital, you may receive separate bills for the anesthesiologist and/or surgeon.

Tips to know:

Trigger finger is most common among male adults 40 to 60 years old.

Side effects may include finger stiffness, scarring, nerve damage and/or an infection at the incision site.

How can I save money?

Try to find a hand surgeon who performs the procedure with a local anesthesia in their own office.  This helps you to avoid facility and anesthesia fees.  A surgery performed at a local outpatient center will always be cheaper than a hospital.

Check with your health insurance before making an appointment.  Most hand surgery procedures are covered by insurance providers as well related complications as long as it’s deemed medically necessary, but according to some reports, some insurance companies may deny you because they deem the surgical release of the A1 pulley as an alternative procedure.

If you don’t have health insurance or adequate coverage, then some offices may provide you with a cash discount.


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