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Posted by dutch-hippy on 08-Dec-2011 22:47 Report
Has anyone had De Quervain's Tenosynovitis?
I haven't found that much information on the net. I would like to know how others coped with this. I have had it for 3 months now, strapped up for 4 weeks, then a splint for 4 weeks and because neither have relieved the pain I will need surgery. I want to know what that mean, how long the operation lasts, how long before I can use that hand etc. Could I drive or will my wrist be in plaster?
 
Replied by limegreen on 09-Dec-2011 01:22 (Ref 2323898) Report
I had it years ago after being attacked.
I had surgery about 2 years after the attack as I wasn't able to use my thumb and the whole side of my hand was useless, and VERY sore!

The surgeon was lousy and made a mess of it!   I don't know how, as apparently this is one op that NO-ONE makes a mess of! (I heard two nurses talking)
I had to have another operation but although I was able to use my thumb again,  I can't bear anyone to touch the area just below my thumb as it makes me feel sick!
The op, which is pretty quick, can be done with a local anesthesia and I didn't have my hand in plaster, just a bandage.   I was able to drive properly after about a week (as far as I can remember)
I was given a sort of elasticated 'sock' with the top cut off and a hole for my thumb.  This enabled me to have a bit more strength as I live by myself and you just can't call anyone when you want things done!

I put De Quervain's into Google and came up with a few sites to look at.   If you click 'images' at the top of the Google page there are a lot of images from other sites that might interest you.

regards
Ann
Replied by blackduck on 09-Dec-2011 07:43 (Ref 2323904) Report
Hi Dutch-hippy,  If you are coming into Bundy for surgery and have to go into hospital make sure you let me know and I will come and see you. 
Replied by stippytake on 10-Dec-2011 00:56 (Ref 2324044) Report
Hi dutch-hippy,
Sympathise with you as this is a painful condition, however before you think about surgery, have you tried cortisone injections?  Not a painful injection if done correctly under ultrasound guidance, and can be very beneficial in treating the problem without having to go under the knife (as the operation isn't always 100% successful).   We do lots of these injections at work with great results.  Talk to your GP as some GP's don't realise or don't "believe"  in the cortisone injections. 
Replied by dutch-hippy on 10-Dec-2011 07:52 (Ref 2324053) Report
I had a Cortisone injection in July for a triggerfinger. That did not help and later I got The Quervain. In August I did have the ultra sound guided cortisone injection and that didn't do anything! So the doctor finally has decided to get me the surgery. As I live 50 km from the hospital I am trying to find out if I can drive myself back home after the surgery. I have a lot of friends , but most don't drive, I am the one that drives them around for shopping etc. There is a small community bus in Childers, drives to Bundy twice a week, leaves at 8.30 and comes back at 12.30 so I can go with the bus but will I be able to come back with them? A lot of problems, that is why I am trying to find out things now, I don't have an appointment yet. As a pensioner I might have to wait for months! Maybe I could pay for it myself if it wasn't too expensive, then I would not have to wait.
Replied by toonerschooner on 06-Jan-2012 10:28 (Ref 2327628) Report
1 of 4 posts. ~ I’m trying to post my story on any site related to de Quervain with hope to share some insights, especially when it comes to surgery. ~ I waited to share anything because I wanted to test everything & give it time to prove success having chosen to avoid surgery. I've had phenomenal success with mainly some simple exercises & stretches & am functioning pretty much as I had before the onset. I'll not label my success as a cure because I know this condition can come & go, but will provide updates if my path changes again. A bit of background is important in case you find other insights or ideas. ~ Was diagnosed with de Quervain symptoms in both wrists since the summer of ‘09 & had some really bad bouts of pain, burning, waking with aches, tingling in the index finger, etc. during ‘09 & the summer of ‘10. Immediately ran to the orthopedic clinic & was almost forced to consider surgery—ran in the other direction! It came on very sudden after a long car trip, in which I extend & push my thumb on the top of the steering wheel. Also push on my thumb & pinkie in locked extended position with a turbo mouse.
Replied by toonerschooner on 06-Jan-2012 10:28 (Ref 2327629) Report
2 of 4 posts. ~ Pain got so bad I was thinking of giving up my career in graphic design. Tried everything except surgery. Did one Cortizone shot & abated the pain for about 2-3 months. Hand massage & stretching helpled. Took some meds, mainly for the inflammation, but was not interested in masking pain. Did few ultrasound & infrared sessions, felt cool, but worked like massage. Chiropractic treatments seem to be doing something, but didn’t take pain away completely. Focused heavily on posture, ergonomics, changing habits, rest, etc. Had 2 deep massage sessions on my neck & shoulders & felt great for a few days. Had full spectrum blood/systemic tests & checked for deficiencies (bit low in B-12 & docs asked about my diet which didn’t include a lot of animal protein). Looked into prolotherapy, PRP injections & acupuncture, but didn’t commit. Even inquired about neuromodulation, but figured I’d never be a good candidate. Tried lots of different types of exercise & usually felt pretty good during a good cardio workout, probably because of good blood flow. Copied a slow hand-weight regimen seen on YouTube. Tired my own set of isometric weight exercises (5-10 lbs), didn't help or add to the pain, interestingly. Tired 3 different types of mouse & keyboard set-ups. Bracing, tape, splints, immobilization, etc. was fine until I took off the brace off, even tested a prototype cast from Exos Medical (mention this company because I spoke briefly with their sports physiologist who told me something important that stuck in the back of my mind & will get to in my follow-up post). I searched & searched for more information & never found anything useful & most was not very positive. Not sure why there’s not much info out there, but I am driven to provide some insight since I know the feeling when you don't know where to turn.
Replied by toonerschooner on 06-Jan-2012 10:29 (Ref 2327630) Report
3 of 4 posts. ~ In the winter of 2010 I recalled my conversation with the Exos sports physiologist, the chiropractor & the deep massage sessions. Was too focused on just my wrists, fingers & forearm & really had not tried anything in the upper body & neck. Started some simple slow motion neck movements & stretching in the shoulders, neck & arms. I am not saying this is a cure, but I have been almost pain-free, without inflammation, etc. since the early spring 2011. One hypothesis is that the condition, whether de Quervain or not, is being created by a combination of the subluxation that I have in the extremity joints & the involvement of nerves that emanate from the lower cervical (neck) region also as it all ties together with the muscles in the upper body. Whenever I take a shower I do some very simple stretches & movements & focus on my neck, upper shoulders, back, forearm & a bit on the fingers & wrists. If interested, I can try to explain the mechanics in a future post. I did not try any more upper body deep massage, but that may help & certainly can not hurt. The only other things, to which my success, can be attributed, would be the additions of a complex B vitamin & more protein. I also do not try to lock my thumb in a stretched position for any long periods. There is nothing else I have changed in my lifestyle, diet, etc. And I'm sure my posture has gone back to its bad habits. The only time I feel a tinge of the pain is when under stress or have forgotten to do my stretching for a couple days or have not exercised. Otherwise the only feeling I have is some stiffness.
Replied by toonerschooner on 06-Jan-2012 10:29 (Ref 2327631) Report
4 of 4 posts. ~ I do have a couple strong opinions. First, do not jump to surgery, you are your own advocate for your health & you owe it to yourself to consider all the options & test a few things. Even if you have gone through surgery & haven’t had complete success you can still try other options. Surgery may work & may be the end option, but found only a handful of physicians who would consider other treatments or would offer up information of success stories. Second, rest is not the answer in my case, the only time I got relief was when I was aggressively using my hand, thumb, muscles, etc. The sports physiologist said he had seen many cases of de Quervain & nobody ever did more damage when pushing hard during exercise or doing tasks that involved grasping, pushing, etc.. A lot of his athletes would, as he put it: "stretch the hell out of those muscles & work your back & upper body as hard as you can." Hope this provides some hope & ideas to try. I’d be happy to provide more detail & hear more thoughts.
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