Trigger finger release surgery.
Local anaesthetic. Same-week consultation. Back to office work in 24-48 hours. A finger that clicks, catches or locks, freed with a 10-15 minute procedure by Consultant Hand Surgeon Mr Angus Maclean FRCS — not delegated, not rushed, not on a 12-month NHS waiting list.
Does your finger catch or lock?
Trigger finger happens when a flexor tendon can no longer glide freely through the A1 pulley at the base of the finger. If any of these sound familiar, you may benefit from assessment.
- A finger that clicks or catches as you bend or straighten it
- A finger that locks in a bent position and has to be forced straight
- Pain or tenderness at the base of the finger, in the palm
- A small, tender lump (nodule) in the palm at the base of the finger
- Stiffness that is worse first thing in the morning
- The same catching in your thumb (trigger thumb)
Left untreated, a trigger finger can become permanently locked and much harder to straighten. Treated early, it is a simple, quick fix.
All-inclusive fixed pricing.
Every price includes the consultant surgeon, sterile equipment, theatre, anaesthetic, sutures, dressings and follow-up where applicable. No hidden fees.
Consultation
Clinical assessment with Mr Maclean. Confirms the diagnosis and whether an injection or surgery is right for you.
Book consultationRelease — one finger
A1 pulley release under local anaesthetic. Includes theatre, surgeon, all materials, and follow-up.
Book consultationMore than one finger
Two fingers £1,850 · three £2,700 · four £3,550. Treated in the same visit, one recovery.
Book consultationFollow-up appointments
Suture removal at 10-14 days and review with Mr Maclean. No additional charges.
Book consultationInsurance accepted: Bupa, AXA Health, WPA, Vitality, Aviva, Cigna, Healix, Saga, Allianz. We'll help with your pre-authorisation paperwork.
Surgery isn't always the answer.
At your consultation, Mr Maclean will assess your finger and recommend the right treatment. Many trigger fingers settle without an operation.
Performed by a Consultant Hand Surgeon.
Not delegated. Not rushed. The surgeon who consults with you is the surgeon who operates on you.
Mr Angus Maclean
Mr Maclean is a Consultant Hand Surgeon specialising in trigger finger, carpal tunnel release, ganglion cyst excision, Dupuytren's contracture, tendon repair and complex hand surgery. He holds the European Hand Diploma in addition to his UK FRCS, and has performed thousands of hand procedures across NHS and private practice.
View full profileFrom booking to recovery.
Most patients move from initial enquiry to a freely moving finger in under 6 weeks.
Self-refer online
No GP referral needed. Book your consultation directly. We accept patients from across South Wales.
Consultation (£150)
Mr Maclean confirms the diagnosis and advises whether an injection or a release is the right next step. Most patients seen within 1 week.
Surgery (£1,150 per finger)
Local anaesthetic, 10-15 minutes, you stay awake. Performed in our modern operating theatre in Penarth.
Same-day home
You go home the same day. We provide simple aftercare instructions and our team is contactable if you have any questions.
Sutures out at 10-14 days
Quick follow-up to remove sutures and check healing. The catching and locking are usually gone straight away.
Final follow-up (FREE)
Mr Maclean reviews your progress. Most patients have a fully mobile, pain-free finger.
What to expect week by week.
Realistic recovery expectations based on Mr Maclean's experience across thousands of hand procedures.
Surgery day
10-15 minute procedure. Home in 1-2 hours. Start gently moving the finger the same day. Mild soreness eased with paracetamol.
Back to desk work
Most office-based patients return to work. The catching and locking are usually already gone.
Driving & daily use
Most patients driving and using the hand for light tasks. Keep the dressing clean and dry.
Sutures removed
Quick clinic visit. Scar starting to fade. Continue gentle finger movement and stretches.
Heavier & manual use
Manual workers typically resume full duties. Grip building back up.
Fully recovered
Scar mostly invisible. Finger moving freely with no catching. Full strength returning.
The Acorn difference.
Award-winning private healthcare in South Wales. As seen on BBC.
Fast access
Most patients seen for consultation within 1 week. Surgery within 2-4 weeks. Compare to NHS waiting times of 9-12+ months.
Consultant-led
Surgery performed by Mr Angus Maclean FRCS, not a trainee. The same surgeon you meet at consultation operates on you.
All-inclusive pricing
£1,150 covers everything for one finger: surgeon, theatre, anaesthetic, sutures, dressings, follow-up. No surprise extras.
HIW regulated
Acorn Private Clinic is regulated by Healthcare Inspectorate Wales. Mr Maclean is registered with the General Medical Council.
Award-winning
Vale of Glamorgan Business of the Year — Professional Services. 4.9★ from 376 Google reviews. Featured by BBC.
Insurance accepted
Bupa, AXA, WPA, Vitality, Aviva, Cigna and more. We help with pre-authorisation paperwork at no extra cost.
What patients say.
Verified reviews from real Acorn Private Clinic patients.
I attended the clinic for a trigger finger release. From the outset everyone was friendly and professional. My procedure went smoothly, and I felt supported all the way through. I will definitely use them again for my medical needs and highly recommend them.
I have experienced Acorn Private Clinic that maintains the highest standards of medical care based on their expert surgeons and excellent resources. You can expect everything a patient needs to get back to their best health.
Their nurses, clinicians, and support teams deliver exceptional patient care. They were with me every step of the way, tailoring the care around me and giving the peace of mind.
Very professional clinic. I felt safe and looked after by the team. I travelled far to the clinic, and am very pleased I did.
Trigger finger surgery FAQs.
The questions patients ask most often before booking.
How much does trigger finger surgery cost in Cardiff?
The consultation costs £150. Trigger finger release is £1,150 for one finger, £1,850 for two, £2,700 for three and £3,550 for four fingers in the same visit. Follow-up appointments are FREE.
All prices are all-inclusive — covering the consultant surgeon, theatre, anaesthetic, sutures, dressings and follow-up. No hidden fees.
Do I need surgery, or will an injection work?
Many trigger fingers settle with an ultrasound-guided steroid injection, which is often the first step for newer or milder cases (consultation & injection £350).
Surgery (A1 pulley release) is recommended when injections have not worked, when the finger keeps locking, or for long-standing cases. Mr Maclean advises which is right for you at the consultation.
Is it done under general anaesthetic?
No. Trigger finger release is performed under local anaesthetic only. You stay awake throughout. The procedure takes about 10-15 minutes per finger.
You go home the same day — most patients are home within 1-2 hours of arriving.
Who performs the surgery?
Trigger finger release is performed by Mr Angus Maclean, Consultant Hand Surgeon. He holds FRCS (Tr & Orth) and the European Hand Diploma, and has performed thousands of hand procedures.
The surgeon you meet at your consultation is the surgeon who operates on you — not a trainee or registrar.
How long is the recovery?
You can move the finger straight away. Most office-based patients return to work within 24-48 hours. Sutures come out at 10-14 days and heavier use returns over a few weeks.
The catching and locking usually stop immediately after surgery.
Can more than one finger be treated at once?
Yes. Several fingers can be released in the same visit. The fee rises with the number treated: £1,150 for one, £1,850 for two, £2,700 for three, £3,550 for four.
Trigger thumb is treated in exactly the same way.
Do I need a GP referral?
No GP referral is required. You can self-refer by booking a hand consultation online or by calling 029 2199 9300.
If you have had any scans or previous treatment elsewhere, please bring the details to your consultation.
Does my health insurance cover it?
Yes. We accept Bupa, AXA Health, WPA, Vitality, Aviva, Cigna, Healix, Saga and Allianz for trigger finger surgery.
Contact your insurer for a pre-authorisation code before booking — we'll help with the paperwork at no extra cost.
Stop the catching. Free the finger.
Don't wait 12 months on the NHS. Book your consultation with Mr Maclean — most patients seen within 1 week.