de Quervain's Tendon Release Overview
DeQuervain’s tenosynovitis is a painful condition marked by an inflammation of the tendons on the radial side (thumb side) of the wrist, and was previously known by the name “washer-women’s sprain.” If you have DeQuervain tenosynovitis, you will probably feel pain on the inside of the wrist, when you turn your wrist and forearm to grasp anything or make a fist.
De Quervain's Tenosynovitis occurs when the tendon sheath on the thumb side of your wrist becomes irritated and inflamed from overuse, making it difficult to move your thumb and wrist. Repetitive motions of the wrist, thumb and hand are usually involved in the development of De Quervain's.
de Quervain's Tendon Surgical Release Procedure
Dr. Kim usually performs the surgery under local anesthesia. Dr. Kim will make a small incision along the thumb side of the wrist and moves aside other tissues and locates the tendons and the tunnel. An incision is made to split the roof, or top, of the tunnel. This allows the tunnel to open up, creating more space for the tendons. The tunnel will eventually heal closed, but it will be larger than before. Scar tissue will fill the gap where the tunnel was cut.
The skin is then stitched together, and your hand is wrapped in a bulky dressing.
Dr. Kim is one of the few Board-Certified Hand Surgeons in the area. In addition to doing 5 years of general surgery, 2 years of plastic surgery training, and a year of research in wound healing, he also completed a 1-year hand surgical fellowship at the famous Kutz-Kleinert hand institute in Louisville, KY. Dr. Kim participated in the first US hand transplant in 1999. Dr. Kim has passed the intensive examinations to obtain (CAQH) board certification in hand surgery. He is also a member of the ASSH (American Society of Surgery of the Hand). He performs many of his hand surgeries with WALANT (wide awake local anesthesia no tourniquet) which makes the procedure and recovery fast and comfortable.
de Quervain's Tendon Release Recovery
Full recovery could take several months. Pain and symptoms generally begin to improve after surgery, but you may have tenderness around the incision for several months.
You may need to attend occupational or physical therapy sessions for six to eight weeks. You'll begin doing active hand movements and range-of-motion exercises. Therapists also use ice packs, soft-tissue massage, and hands-on stretching to help with the range of motion. When the stitches are removed, you may start carefully strengthening your hand and thumb by squeezing and stretching putty.
- Blood Flow Is Essential For Healing.
- Cold Compression is Essential for Managing Pain
- Kinesiology tape (KT Tape) might also help protect your wrist and help your further recover post-surgery.
