The main focus of treating De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis is to reduce inflammation and relieve the pain.
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis treatment includes two methods: Non-surgical and the other is Surgical methods 9-12.
Non-surgical Method:
The non-surgical method includes :
- Applying heating pads or ice packs to the affected area.
- Avoid repetitive hand movements.
- Restricting your thumb and wrist by wearing a splint or brace to help keep the hand in a straight and comfortable position.
- Avoid actions that can cause more pain and inflammation.
- Take pain reliever medicines which are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These include naproxen or ibuprofen.
- Get numbing injections (local anesthetic) or steroids injections such as Corticosteroid injection, effectively reducing inflammation and pain.
- The corticosteroids injections are given into the tendon sheath to reduce the swelling. If the treatment starts within the first six weeks of symptoms, the patient can recover after only one injection.
- Perform exercises recommended by the doctors
Surgical Method
Surgery is required if the patient’s condition worsens and the non-surgical methods fail to provide relief.
During surgery, the doctor releases the tendon sheath and opens it to let out the pressure so the tendons can glide smoothly over each other without any friction. The hand and wrist movements go back to normal when the surgery is successful. After the surgery, your orthopedic will advise you to physical therapy to strengthen your wrist and thumb and prevent future problems.
Complications:
Complications such as limited wrist motion and difficulty using hand and wrist in daily life may occur in De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis when untreated.
Recovery:
Recovery of De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis in most patients goes well without any complications. About 80% of the patients recover using non-surgical methods, and the remaining patients get treated with surgery.
Complications of the surgery are rare. But patients with diabetes may respond differently to the treatment methods. They are less successfully treated with injections and may face complications such as injury or wound healing problems in the surgical techniques.