The condition called de Quervain's tenosynovitis causes pain on the inside of the wrist and forearm just above the thumb. It is a common problem affecting the wrist.
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.
Recovery
- Full recovery could take several months. Pain and symptoms generally begin to improve after surgery, but you may have tenderness in the area of 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.
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Hand injuries more prevalent in the summer
Importance of Certification
Picking the Right Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Kim is one of a few board certified hand surgeons in the area. In addition to doing 5 years of general surgery, 2 years of plastic surgery training , 1 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. LEARN MORE.