The open method involves making an incision through the skin. The doctor can see inside and release the tendon pulley. In the percutaneos procedure, the doctor simply inserts a needle through the skin, just under the tendon pulley. By twisting the needle, the tendon pulley is cut, and the tendon is able to glide freely.

In a recent study comparing the two methods, one hundred trigger digits were surgically treated. Just under half (46) were treated with the open method; the others were treated percutaneously. Surgery time was markedly longer using the open method. By comparison, people got quicker results when treated with the percutaneous method. Their pain went away almost twice as fast, and they got back to work within four days, compared to nearly eight in the open group.