How long does a cortisone injection take to work for trigger finger?

Trigger finger involves irritation and narrowing around a flexor tendon as it passes through a pulley in the finger or thumb. Cortisone aims to calm this local inflammation; it does not instantly widen the pulley. A numbing medicine may provide brief early relief, followed by injection tenderness.

Symptoms can improve gradually: morning stiffness may ease before locking, or tenderness may settle while clicking remains. Ongoing catching, a finger held bent, or repeated forceful gripping may mean the inflammation has not settled enough.

Keep the injection area clean and follow the activity advice given by the clinician. Gentle movement can prevent stiffness, but avoid repeatedly forcing the finger through a painful catch or doing heavy gripping while it is sore. Note changes in locking, movement, and hand use.

If symptoms remain troublesome, review the diagnosis and options with the treating clinician. A splint, hand therapy, another injection, or release of the tight pulley may be considered according to your examination.

Seek prompt advice for increasing redness, warmth, swelling, drainage, fever, severe pain, or an allergic reaction. Contact the clinician if the finger becomes newly numb, weak, pale, or stuck in a bent position.

Ask when normal gripping is suitable, whether a night splint would help, how long to observe the response, and what should happen if locking persists or returns.