De Quervain's Release

Find relief from painful tendon pressure that runs from your wrist to your thumb. See a fellowship-trained hand surgeon at EvergreenHealth. We’ll help you move your hand more comfortably and reduce your symptoms of De Quervain's tenosynovitis.

What Is De Quervain's Release Surgery?

This same-day (outpatient) procedure releases the tendon sheath that wraps around the tendons at the base of the thumb. This approach reduces pressure and friction on the tendons, allowing them to glide freely so that you can live with less pain.

What to Expect

To get you ready for surgery, your care team will give you anesthesia and then clean and sterilize your wrist and hand. Your surgeon will make a small incision on your wrist at the base of the thumb to access the inflamed tendon. The doctor carefully releases the inflamed sheath surrounding the tendon, allowing the sheath to spread open. Often, a second sheath is inside the first. It is released as well. Your surgeon may remove any thickened tissue between the tendons to prevent painful friction.

After De Quervain's Release Surgery

The surgeon will close your incision and may inject a local anesthetic for post-surgical pain relief. Your care team will place your wrist in a bandage or a splint to keep you from moving your thumb and wrist. You'll receive pain medication and can go home the same day.

Take part in hand therapy at EvergreenHealth to help you move your thumb as normally as possible after surgery.