Trigger Finger

The cure rate for trigger finger varies depending on the grade. For Grades 1–2, a cure rate of 80–90% is reported with conservative treatment alone. Even in Grades 3–4, lock release of over 90% is possible when combined with aggressive treatment, including acupuncture and surgery. However, if left untreated for more than five years, degenerative changes may be present in the tendon itself in addition to the A1 pulley; in such cases, it is more realistic to adjust the recovery goal from 'complete cure' to 'functional recovery.'

Perspective of Korean Medicine Clinic

In Korean medicine, chronic trigger finger is viewed as a condition where blood stasis has hardened and settled deep within the meridians (the longer the condition, the more the hardened blood stasis obstructs the meridians). At this stage, it is necessary to access the deep tissues using moxibustion and fire acupuncture rather than simple acupuncture, and to regulate the body using herbal medicine tailored to the patient's constitution to strengthen liver and kidney functions and promote the breakdown of blood stasis. At Dongjedang, for chronic symptoms, instead of promising a short-term cure, we transparently share step-by-step goals (pain reduction → loss of lock → recovery of range of motion) and determine the direction of treatment together with the patient.