Is surgery the best treatment for trigger thumb?

Surgery for trigger thumb is typically only used if the case is very severe or if less invasive treatments have failed, according to Mayo Clinic. Instead, medication and therapy are frequently prescribed.

At the beginning of many treatments for trigger thumb, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, are recommended, Mayo Clinic states. Therapies include three to four weeks of rest, the application of ice or heat several times daily, a splint to extend the thumb, and stretches. If recovery is not satisfactory, steroid injections are commonly used to reduce inflammation. In some cases, a needed is inserted into the thumb to loosen up the constriction.