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Contributor
Posts: 48
Registered: ‎08-10-2010

Hi,

 

I have been having great pain in my left hand near my thumb and wrist so I went to the Urgent Care in my area.  They took x-rays to check for broken bones.  The bones looked ok but they diagnosed me with De Quervan's Tenosynovitis.  It si so painful and have to wear a brace all the time except for showeing and sleeping.  They also said if not better to call for an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon for further help.  Had anyone experienced this.  Any suggestions would appreciate.

 

Thanks,

Linda S.

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,347
Registered: ‎06-13-2017

Re: De Quervain's Tenosvnovitis

@  yes, it is very common and quite painful. I have had numerous steroid injections in several of my fingers, but then tthe orthopedic said he could not continue injecting and I had a surgical procedure which fixed it. Good luck. One thing he suggested to me that never helped me personally is nsads daily like ibuprofen. Just remeber if you take nsaids to take it with food as it can be eroce the stomach lining and cause bleeding.

Contributor
Posts: 26
Registered: ‎10-09-2010

Re: De Quervain's Tenosvnovitis

Hi, Pasta Lover.

 

I had this on my wrist a few years ago. I went to an orthopedic surgeon who diagnosed it after an MRI. The only remedy for me was surgery, which went well.

 

My advice would be to see an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in the hand and go from there. All the best to you.

 

 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 14,660
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: De Quervain's Tenosvnovitis

I had it in both hands and it is extremely painful!

I was fortunate to have a wonderful hand/wrist surgeon who always knew how to make it better.

He would give a cortisone shot in just the right place.These would last for a few months.

I was wearing wrist braces all the time too.

Then when the cortisone no longer would work, I had the surgery.

What a relief that was! I was so happy not to have that pain all the time.

Now I also use a lot of things that help to open things.

I hope you can feel better!

"If you walk the footsteps of a stranger, you'll learn things you never knew. Can you sing with all the voices of the mountains? can you paint with all the colors of the wind?"
Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,900
Registered: ‎03-11-2010

Re: De Quervain's Tenosvnovitis

@Pasta Lover

I had DeQuervain release surgery years ago.  I had tried cortisone shots up to that point, but they never helped.  It was an outpatient surgery and I remained awake during surgery, the procedure to numb my arm was called (and I know that this isn't probably how it's spelled, lol) a beer block.  But that's how it was pronounced.   I have about a one inch scar on the top/side of my wrist.  Like I said, this was quite a few yrs. ago so maybe procedures have changed.  My thumb and wrist area have been fine since the surgery.  HTH.

 

~Breathe In~ Breathe Out~ Move On~
Valued Contributor
Posts: 923
Registered: ‎01-03-2011

Re: De Quervain's Tenosvnovitis

I too had the surgery on both wrists.  Cortisone did not help me at all with the first wrist so when the same pain started with the second I went straight to the surgery.  It is a fabulous surgery in that it is not particularly difficult and the results are amazing!

Honored Contributor
Posts: 13,913
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: De Quervain's Tenosvnovitis

 

@Pasta Lover,

 

I don't know about the "De Quervain's" part, never heard of that name. I did however have Tenosynovitis several years ago in my lower legs, front side. I don't know about the wrists, but I told old the runners I knew, and hockey players, this. "If you think Shin Splints are painful? They don't come close to the pain of Tenosynovitis".

 

I was refereeing hockey games during that time. Going to Physical Therapy 3 times every week, for 12 weeks. I did not quit skating, but I did have to change the way I skated, to minimize the pain in the effected leg. Not easy changing the way you skate while refereeing ice hockey games. About the time my 1 leg was feeling better? Same thing with the other leg, for a total of 24 weeks. 

 

My Therapist said "if you quit skating, it will heal faster". He also said "you won't make it worse by continuing to skate". I chose to keep skating and deal with the pain the best I could. I can tell you that when I walked my tendon made a snapping noise this whole time. No way I could sneak up on anyone in a quiet room, for sure.   =^..^=

 

Needless to say, it was a very long and painful hockey season, but while I was healing I discovered what caused this painful injury. It was a simple as it could be, and I was surprised some experts had not found my source. I told my Ortho friend, my doctor, who in turn told his Physical Therapist.

 

Once I eliminated the source I have never experienced this injury since that time, even now that I am back to ice skating. I hope your wrists heal for you, and you might see if your Doctor or Physical Therapist know what caused, or is still causing this problem. Best to you,

 

 

 

hckynut(john)

hckynut(john)
Valued Contributor
Posts: 684
Registered: ‎06-13-2011

Re: De Quervain's Tenosvnovitis

I went to a hand specialist,for pain in my wrist and thumb and some fingers, the cortisone shots did not help. This last December, I finally gave in and had hand surgery.  The Doctor said I had Avery bad arthritis in the thumb and wrist. He removed the bone, with a cast for a month. Then brace approx a3 month recovery period. I am still using a brace at times and still have some pain,but much better,.I use cool comfort brace the longer ones for wrist support, and they are softer than what he gave me. These are found on  Amazon, if any body needs, also good for carpel tunnel, best of all they are soft and help protect the thumb. Good luck. DO fine A Good Surgen, check him out.

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Honored Contributor
Posts: 8,955
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: De Quervain's Tenosvnovitis

I iced mine whenever possible in a fairly snug brace that held the ice packet against THE SPOT. It is HORRIFICALLY PAINFUL but considering that I take care of a wonderful little toddler who weighs almost 30 pounds, I’ve gotten off lucky. 

No cortisone OR surgery yet.

Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,627
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: De Quervain's Tenosvnovitis

I developed mine a few years ago.  Went to a hand specialist/surgeon.  Tried a cortisone shot and he said if it didn't work, he would do surgery.  BUT, he also said he wouldn't do surgery without doing a surgery on my arthritic thumb joint too.  Well, my thumb joint is not mishapen, and rarely causes me pain.  So I realized he was just trying it make the whole thing "worth his time."

 

I did a little research and had my doctor refer me to physical therapy with a hand therapy specialist.  Problem solved.  I developed it in my other wrist a year or two later and physical therapy solved it, and trigger thumb, again. 

 

Haven't had the problem in 6 or 7 years.

 

I'm hypothyroid, and have had problems absorbing my thyroid hormones.  For me, that exacerbates tendon issues.

"I've been here since October 2006. Wow!"