Trigger Thumb Surgery for (Almost) 3 Year Old

Hi C.. My son didn't have trigger surgery, but he had ear tubes and a dental procedure done at the same time. I was also worried about the anesthesia. He had his surgery through Children's hospital, and this is how they did his anesthesia. I held him in the preop room while they put a mask over his face. He wiggled around and tried to fight it (while I silently cried watching my baby go through this) and finally fell asleep. Then they put an IV in him and put the nose tubes in for more anesthesia during the dental procedure. He woke up really grumpy and fussy. He stayed very clingy and cranky the majority of the day. He didn't want to eat or drink much. He eventually napped in his own bed for about 4 hours, and woke up almost back at 100% him. Good luck with everything.

I actually had trigger thumb surgery way back in the early 80's as a 6 year old. I had no complications and now have full use of my thumb, in fact, it is quite double jointed. But I play the piano and don't have any trouble with it. There is a picture of me right after surgery practicing the piano. I don't remember much about the actual surgery, but I would consider that a good thing, in that it must not have been too terrible. :) Good luck to you and your darling girl! :)

I haven't heard of it happening in someone so young before. But someone I work with had a trigger finger, and her chiropracter was able to "work it out" without surgery, and now her fingers are all just fine.

As for anesthia, my daughter had eye surgery when she was only 2-3 yrs. old. The doctor flat out told me that the anesthesia they use would make her grumpy afterwards, and she didn't eat much. It was not an unmanagable grumpy. She just didn't want to do much, don't try to force me to do anything I don't want to type thing.
Even though your child may be potty trained, keep a pull up on for the rest of the day. My daughter peed a LOT and of course I wasn't prepared.
The next day she was fine.

Two of my sons had to have this surgery when they were each about 2 yrs old. (They couldn't do the "thumbs up".) It took about 15 minutes, if that, and they came out of the anethesia about 10 minutes later, and left with 2 stitches in their thumb and a band-aid over it. It was a very simple surgery. :) It healed so quickly, and the pediatrition checked it in her office a few days later and took out the stitches.

PLEASE before you try surgery, go see April Dunnington. She is a wonderful chiropractor in Centerville, and she might have some advice that would help you avoid surgery. Her number is ###-###-####. I highly recommend going to see her before your daughter has a surgery. Good luck!

I don't know anything about Trigger Thumb, but my daughter had her adnoids out around Thanksgiving and was giving anesthesia. She did just fine. It took her a long time to wake up, which I was told is perfectly normal. The procedure only took about twenty minutes and I think it took her over an hour to fully wake up from the anesthesia. When she woke up she was a little confused and groggy. I was able to hold her and that calmed her right down. Her throat was pretty dry and scratchy from the tube they put in it (standard procedure), so she was really thirsty. She was a little groggy the rest of the day, and took a couple of nice long naps. Other than that, she didn't have any complications. I was told to make sure to have a bag or several towels in the car since sometimes kids can get carsick after the anesthesia. Luckily, we didn't have that problem. Good luck to you and your little one! :)

My son had it at 1 1/2. Everything went smoothly. He woke up crying for me then went back to sleep in my moms arm. When we got home he was running and playing as normal. He was even banging it on things. He was just as happy as can be. The second day he was taking the smaller bandage off all the time. He was fine. Because your daughter is older she will be able to understand better what happened. I will just explain it to her and then let her play. My doc said that was the best thing was to get back to normal. And you cannot even tell where it happened. He has no memory of it since he was so young.

at the hospital i used to work at we had quite a few cases of trigger finger/thumb, most were adults. any surgery that requires anesthia is not to be taken lightly. you should consider all your options before making your decision and after that i would still be cautous. you never know how you or anyone will react to sedatives until they are taken & each person & time is different. i can say that the surgery is not as invasive as it used to be & most are done on outpatient status, depending on the severity & age & complications that may arise. you should also get a second opinion. hope this was helpful. good luck & God be with you.

i am glad you posted this. My son is having surgery tomorrow and your answers make me feel better.

I am an adult and I was told that I needed that surgery, and decided to go have another person look at it and he told me that I need to release the tendon, so I rubbed it between the thumb and the pointer finger for about a month every night. I did this and the tendon release and I did not ever have to have surgery. Of course, I am not a doctor, but I think that I would get another doctor's opinion before I would have a 3 year old have surgery. Hope all goes well.

Hi C.,
My sister had surgery for Trigger Thumb when she was 2. She is 25 now. :) I remember my parents and the doctor saying it was very rare for this to happen in children. Apparently it is seen more in senior citizens. Anyhow, I remember she went in for surgery one morning, and was home that afternoon. She's never had a problem with it since. I'm sure you are scared for your little one to have surgery though. I'm sure she will be just fine! Good luck!!!

C. you will be amazed at what they can do for children. My daughter who is now almost 4 had laser surgery for breathing issues at 2months, had tubes in her tear ducts at 10 months and had tubes is her ears at 18 months and again two weeks ago, never had a problem with anesthia, with the laser surgery she was out for the surgery for almost an hour. My son who was born with only one kidney had surgery on that kidney in december of 2007, he was only five months old and he was out for the surgery for almost 3 hours and he did fine, it's scary I know, just make sure all your questions are answered to your liking. Good luck.

Hi my name is A. and I know what your going through. My oldest daughter has had trigger thumb surgery on both of her thumbs, which is really odd to have it on both thumbs. She did fine, we went to childrens hospital, they were great, I know your scared ,as I was but she will be ok. My daughter is 13 now and doesnt even remeber it.