Ring Finger Surgery: Causes, Treatment & Recovery

The ring finger is the fourth finger on the hand, counting upwards from the thumb. Extremities such as fingers are especially at risk for injury and damage, and often must undergo surgery to correct acute, as well as chronic, conditions.

Breaks and Fractures

• Breaks or fractures in ring fingers often need surgery as a remedy. X-rays are taken in order to determine the type of break, as well as how many joints are involved, and to what degree. If a cast or splint is not enough to hold the finger in place, tiny pins may have to be inserted during surgery in order to aid healing.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a common reason for ring finger surgery, although this often involves operating on the rest of the hand as well. The ulnar nerve, which is responsible for sensation in half of the ring finger, can be damaged by repetitive wrist motions, and can cause numbness and tingling in the ring finger.

Weight Gain

• At times, significant weight gain is the cause of needed surgery on a ring finger. It is possible for a patient to become so overweight as to make normal removal of a ring or wedding band impossible. Surgery may be necessary to reduce finger swelling, or to cut away part of the ring embedded in the finger.