 [ Symptoms ] is a hot or cold compress good for a trigger finger [ Disease ] my sister recently went to the doctor for a trigger finger she was told to use a cold compress for 30 minute intervals for 3 days she had already bought an over the counter splint to keep the finger straight the doctor told her to continue using it though i think she only wore it at night i have always been told that whatever makes you more comfortable heat or cold is what you should use i cannot tolerate cold it seems to make pain worse i crushed my leg when i had an accident 10 years ago and it required a 7 hour surgery to be put back together with rods plates & screws with several follow up surgeries while in the hospital the surgeon wanted ice to be put on it but after seeing the pain it caused & the reaction for the cold he changed the treatment to heat which helped more i would use whatever gives the most relief i hope your finger feels better soon my sisters did after a week