What to expect from a cortisone injection for trigger finger

Trigger finger occurs when a flexor tendon has difficulty gliding through its pulley near the finger base. The clinician injects cortisone, often with a local anaesthetic, around the affected tendon sheath. The anaesthetic can numb the hand briefly; cortisone works by calming local inflammation. Soreness or bruising can follow. A successful response may make bending smoother, but persistent locking can need reassessment because the injection does not alter every mechanical cause.

Mention diabetes, blood-thinning medicine, allergies, infection and any previous injection reaction before treatment. Keep the dressing clean according to the clinic’s instructions and avoid forceful gripping while the finger is tender. Gentle movement may prevent stiffness if your clinician recommends it. Do not repeatedly force a locked finger straight. Track catching, morning stiffness, swelling and hand function, then share those changes at follow-up.

Contact the treating service if redness, heat, swelling, drainage or worsening pain develops around the injection site. Seek urgent help for breathing difficulty, facial swelling, widespread hives, severe weakness or rapidly spreading numbness. A finger that remains locked, becomes markedly swollen or loses normal colour needs prompt assessment, even if the injection site itself looks normal.

Ask which tendon sheath will be treated, when to move the finger, and whether a night splint or hand exercises are appropriate. Clarify how diabetes or blood-thinning treatment affects preparation, how progress will be judged, and what alternatives exist if catching continues.