De Quervain’s Release
De Quervain’s release with Dr. Steven Ward in Tucson and Oro Valley — opening the tight tendon tunnel on the thumb side of the wrist when pain keeps coming back despite splinting and injections.
Call 520-881-1394Typical ranges for general education. Dr. Ward’s plan for you may differ.
What it treats
Two tendons that move the thumb run together through a narrow tunnel on the thumb side of the wrist. In De Quervain’s tenosynovitis these tendons become irritated and their covering thickens, so they no longer glide freely.
- Pain and tenderness on the thumb side of the wrist, sometimes traveling up the forearm
- Pain with gripping, making a fist, turning the wrist, or lifting with the thumbs pointed up, such as lifting a child
- Swelling over the thumb side of the wrist
- A catching or snapping feeling when you move the thumb
It is most common in people in their 40s and 50s, in women, and during pregnancy and the months after having a baby.
Is surgery right for you?
Most people improve without surgery:
- Avoiding the movements that trigger pain
- A removable thumb-and-wrist splint, especially at night
- Ice for 15 minutes at a time (never directly on the skin)
- Anti-inflammatory medication by mouth or as a gel, when it is safe for you
- A steroid injection into the tendon tunnel
Surgery may be recommended if symptoms are severe or do not improve after about 6 weeks of non-surgical treatment. Injections are less likely to work, and surgery carries a higher risk of wound problems, in people with diabetes.
How the surgery is done
De Quervain’s release is an open procedure done through a small incision on the thumb side of the wrist, usually with numbing medicine and light sedation.
- Small skin nerves in the area are found and protected
- The roof of the tendon tunnel is opened in a way that keeps the tendons from slipping out of place
- Any thickened tissue around the tendons is removed
- The skin is closed, and a bandage (sometimes with a splint) is applied
What to expect
Most people who need surgery for De Quervain’s improve afterward, and complications are uncommon.
You can return to normal hand use as comfort and strength come back. Numbness or tingling on the back of the thumb can happen if the small skin nerves are irritated; it usually improves over time.
Recovery overview
General expectations only. OrthoInfo does not give a specific timeline for this surgery, and Dr. Ward’s plan for you may differ.
First days
- Keep the hand raised above your heart and ice as directed to limit swelling
- Move your fingers gently; use the thumb as your dressing or splint allows
- Keep the dressing clean and dry until your follow-up visit
First weeks
- The splint, if you have one, is usually short term
- Light daily activities as comfort allows
- Avoid forceful gripping, heavy lifting, and repeated wrist twisting until cleared
Returning to normal
- Normal hand use resumes as comfort and strength return
- Hand therapy may be recommended if stiffness or weakness lingers
- Tell Dr. Ward about any numbness on the back of the thumb
When to call the clinic
Call 520-881-1394 if you notice any of the following after surgery or while you are recovering:
- A fever of 101°F or higher, or chills
- Redness spreading around an incision, or drainage that is cloudy, foul-smelling, or keeps soaking the dressing after the first few days
- Fingers that turn pale, blue, or cold
- Numbness or tingling in the hand or fingers that does not go away once the nerve block or numbing medicine has worn off, or that is getting worse
- A cast, splint, or dressing that feels too tight: throbbing pain, swelling, or numbness under it that does not ease after you raise your hand above your heart and gently move your fingers. Do not cut or remove a cast yourself
- Pain that is not controlled by your prescribed medication, elevation, and ice
It is normal for the hand and fingers to be swollen, bruised, and sore for a while, and for the hand or arm to stay numb and weak for several hours after a nerve block or numbing medicine. Keep your hand raised above your heart, and move the fingers that are not splinted as you were shown. Call if something feels different from what you were told to expect.
for chest pain, shortness of breath, or trouble breathing. These can be signs of a blood clot in the lungs and need emergency care.
If something does not match the instructions you were given, call the office. Dr. Ward or one of his physician assistants will get back to you.
Related resources
Exercise guides
Hand & wrist handouts, including carpal tunnel exercises and hand and finger exercises.
Open pagePatient resources
Surgery packets, pre-op and post-op instructions, exercise guides, and videos in one place.
Open pagePost-op packets
Dr. Ward’s post-operative instructions and packets, organized by joint.
Open pageWrist fracture (distal radius)
Dr. Ward’s broken-wrist page: splint care, swelling control, and the week-by-week rehab plan.
Open pageOrthoInfo: De Quervain’s tenosynovitis
Patient education on De Quervain’s tenosynovitis from the AAOS.
Visit OrthoInfoSchedule a visit
Call 520-881-1394 and we will find a time that works.
Call 520-881-1394Quick Links
Procedures
More on the site