DQ surgery

What is De Quervain’s surgery?

De Quervain’s surgery is also commonly called “De Quervain’s release.” During this outpatient procedure, you’ll receive a local anesthetic to numb both your hand and your wrist. The procedure will release the tendon sheath wrapped around the base of your thumb to relieve both painful pressure and friction. The entire surgery is typically over in less than an hour.

With De Quervain’s release surgery, the tendons in your hand will be able to glide freely once more when moving the thumb and wrist.

To perform this surgery, your hand surgeon makes a small incision on your wrist, near the base of your thumb. From there, your surgeon will locate the inflamed tendon and cut a small slit in the sheath surrounding the tendon. That slit will release pressure and allow the tendons to move more freely.

After the surgery, you’ll find stitches, bandages, and a splint around your hand which will heal with time.

How does De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis happen?

The most common cause of De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is chronic overuse of the wrist. Daily repetitive movements can lead to great irritation and pain.

Additionally, women are at higher risk of developing De Quervain’s tenosynovitis. Arthritis, hormonal changes (like pregnancy), and wrist injuries can be triggers as well.

What are the symptoms of  De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis?

The most common symptoms of De Quervain’s tenosynovitis include:

• Swelling near the base of your thumb

• Difficulty moving your thumb and wrist

• Severe pain near the base of your thumb

• A sticking sensation in your thumb when moving it

Any of the above symptoms are signs that you should see a doctor. Many patients think they simply have hand pain and try to tough it out. However, the longer you wait to see a doctor, the more likely it is that you’ll end up with complications.