The short answer
Trigger finger release treats catching and locking by releasing the A1 pulley ligament. Dr. Gruner performs it percutaneously under live ultrasound guidance with local anesthesia — no surgical incision, just a band-aid. Patients bend the finger immediately, resume light gripping in about 3 days and full gripping in about 10 days, with minimal scarring and lower cost than open surgery.
Medically reviewed by Marc Gruner, DO, MBA, RMSK
Sports medicine physician, Mayo Clinic fellowship. Last reviewed June 2026
Ultrasound-Guided Trigger Finger Release — Dr. Marc Gruner
How it works
Trigger finger release addresses the A1 pulley ligament that a swollen tendon catches beneath. After numbing the area with lidocaine, Dr. Gruner releases the pulley with a needle under live ultrasound imaging — no surgical incision is required.
Recovery is rapid: patients can bend the finger immediately, resume light gripping in about 3 days and full gripping in about 10 days. The office-based procedure has minimal pain and scarring, lower infection risk, and lower cost than traditional open surgery.
Why patients choose it
- No surgical incision — band-aid care only
- Immediate finger bending
- Light gripping in ~3 days, full gripping in ~10 days
- Lower infection risk and cost than open surgery
What to expect at your visit
- 1.
A focused conversation
Dr. Gruner reviews your history, prior imaging, and goals — what you want to get back to doing.
- 2.
Point-of-care ultrasound
When useful, a diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound evaluates the injury in real time, with no radiation.
- 3.
A clear, individualized plan
You leave understanding the diagnosis, the non-surgical options, and the expected timeline — in plain language.
Before and after your procedure
- How do I prepare for trigger finger release?
- Little preparation is needed — the percutaneous, ultrasound-guided release is an office procedure under local anesthesia with no incision. Let Dr. Gruner know about blood thinners in advance.
- What is aftercare like after trigger finger release?
- A band-aid is applied for about 24 hours — no stitches. You can bend the finger immediately, resume light gripping in about 3 days, and full gripping in about 10 days. Keep the site clean and dry and follow any gentle motion guidance Dr. Gruner gives.
Clinical evidence
Selected peer-reviewed research supporting these approaches.
Frequently asked questions
- Is trigger finger release surgery?
- Dr. Gruner's percutaneous, ultrasound-guided release is a needle procedure done in the office with local anesthesia — not an open surgery. There is no incision, only a band-aid, and recovery is faster than traditional open release.