Method and device for the percutaneous release of the a1 pulley in the hand

A method for using a surgical tool, comprising:

• Making an incision in skin centered over a middle portion of an A1 pulley in a finger;
• Inserting a blade assembly of a surgical tool into the incision;
• Engaging a distal end of the A1 pulley with a blade tip extending from a distal end of a cutting edge fixed to the blade assembly;
• Translating the blade assembly proximally to cut the A1 pulley;
• Removing the blade assembly from the incision;
• Inserting a hook of the surgical tool to engage the distal end of the A1 pulley;
• and
• Translating the hook proximally as to confirm the complete release of the A1 pulley.

A method for using a surgical tool, comprising:

• Making an incision in skin centered over a middle portion of an A1 pulley in a finger;
• Inserting a blade assembly of the surgical tool into the incision with a blade cover in its extended position as to cover a cutting edge;
• Sweeping the covered blade assembly back and forth to push aside soft tissue that may be on top of the A1 pulley to allow subsequent cutting of the A1 pulley;
• Retracting said blade cover as to expose the cutting edge of the blade assembly to allow subsequent cutting of the A1 pulley;
• Engaging a distal end of the A1 pulley with the cutting edge of the blade assembly;
• Translating the cutting edge proximally to cut the A1 pulley;
• Removing the blade assembly from the incision;
• Inserting a hook of the surgical tool to engage the distal end of the A1 pulley;
• and
• Translating the hook proximally as to confirm the complete release of the A1 pulley.