Lock Finger or Trigger Finger is an abnormal hand function,the affected fingers have difficulty of flexion and extension and might need another finger to unlock the fingers.

Orthopedists usually use “Trigger Finger” The terminology, meaning is not well understood by Thai population.and the patients until Dr. Vichai Vijitpornkul named the disease as “Lock Finger” The word has its own complete meaning in Thai because the finger is really locked.

The treatment of trigger finger usually the doctors give steroid injection first, the symptoms will disappear.In case the problem persisted,surgery might be offered. The operation ,even though minor one and use local anesthesia. But it will take many weeks to heal and back to work.

The technique of Dr.Vichai Vijitpornkul to treat trigger finger percutaneously.Using specially design ,adapted from dental instruments,probes or cavers.is very good quitesafe.

Some surgeon s are using Needle guage number 18 to puncture and using the needle sharp edge to release.The needle is not firm and not strong enough to release tough flexor fibrous sheath.

Dr. Vichai Vijitpornkul using dental instruments ,probe and cavers, to grind both edges to be small knife.This is areally good innovation to release trigger finger.He has been researching,trying many models for years.And having been treating more than 4,000 cases of trigger fingers.These might be one of the most numbers of cases in the world.

I appreciated the effort. I myself ,having been using Vichai,s probe ,the technique is easy very effective., eventhough I had some problems at the very beginning. His technique is simple ,save time as well as cost. It is well applicable to private clinic or any outside hospital mass trigger releases.

I myself am sure that this technique might be a standard treatment of trigger fingers in the future.

                                                   © Dr. Pongsak Watana
                                        Ex-Director of Lerd sin Hospital
                                        Director of Srivichai Hospital
                                        President of Joint Disease foundation of Thailand.