De Quarvains

I am scheduled for surgery for De Quarvains on January 18th. I have had 2 shots of cortizone and have been wearing a brace since November.

My question is how long is the recovery time. I work on the computer all day and I do not want to rush coming back to work without being totally healed.

A fellow employee said that her daughter had the same surgery and was back to work the next week.

That seems a little soon for me.

[JainMD]

Hi Merl,
How are you feeling?
Thumb extensor or de Quervain tendinitis is stenosing tenosynovitis of the 1st dorsal compartment of the wrist, which contains the abductor pollicis longus and the extensor pollicis brevis.
The prognosis following surgery is good. The recovery time is 2-4 weeks depending on extent of surgery and associated complications if any.
The most serious complication of surgical intervention is transection of the dorsal sensory radial nerve, which lies in proximity to the 1st dorsal compartment.
This complication can leave the patient with a small area of numbness/absence of sensation or, more seriously, with a painful neuroma, which often requires surgical resection.
What has surgeon planned for follow-up?
Has he explained you the risk involved?
Did he explain the surgery?
Keep me informed.
Bye.

[Merl55]

At this point I have a pre-op appt with him this Friday and will plan to find out more on the surgery.
I also have an appointment with him the Friday after Surgery.

I just want to make sure that I have an idea of how much time to be off of work. I do not want to rush anything since I am on the Computer all day every day....

I will let you know more after I meet with him on Friday.

Thank you very much...

[Merl55]

I met with the surgeon last Friday and he explained the surgery and the risk of the nerve that is close to the area of surgery.

I am to see him 1 week after surgery for a check and then go back in another week for the removal of stitches.

Yesterday I started with a closeness in my throat. I hope that it is just allergys (allergies) and that I am not coming down with something.
I have been taking antihistamines as well as Airborne. I feel fine other than that. I am not running a temperature. Surgery is on Friday and I really don't want to cancel. I hope everything will be OK.

[JainMD]

Hi,
The surgeon's would make a radial incision over the 1st dorsal compartment with release of the fibro-osseous tunnel and all its septa, as well as they would release the fascial sheaths of each tendon and the compartment.
You should take care in avoiding repetitive activities that worsen the pain. Particular attention to workplace ergonomics is important.
I think your current symptoms may be due to some viral infection.
Good Luck and take care of yourself.
Keep me informed once surgery is done.
Bye.