De Quervain Release

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2025.

• Care notes
• Ambulatory
• Discharge
• Español

AMBULATORY CARE:

What you need to know about De Quervain release:

De Quervain release is surgery to cut the sheath around your inflamed tendon. The sheath forms a smooth tunnel that your tendon slides through when you move your thumb.

How to prepare for surgery:

• Your surgeon will tell you how to prepare for surgery. You may be told not to eat or drink anything after midnight on the day of your surgery. Arrange for someone to drive you home from surgery.
• Tell your surgeon about all your current medicines. Your surgeon will tell you if you need to stop any medicine for surgery, and when to stop. You will be told which medicines to take or not take on the day of surgery.

What will happen during surgery:

• You may be given local anesthesia to numb the surgery area. You may still feel pressure and pushing during surgery, but you should not feel any pain. You may instead be given general anesthesia to keep you asleep during surgery.
• Your surgeon will make an incision over the wrist near the base of your thumb. Your surgeon will cut the sheath so your tendon can move more freely. The incision may be closed with stitches or medical tape.
• A bandage may stay over the incision for 24 to 48 hours to prevent an infection.

What to expect after surgery:

• A splint may be placed on your wrist to keep it from moving. Your healthcare provider may ask you to move your fingers soon after your surgery.
• Your provider will show you how to keep your hand elevated (raised) above the level of your heart. This helps prevent or relieve pain and swelling. You will need to continue to elevate your hand throughout the day at home. Your provider will tell you how often to do this, and for how many days.
• You may need to return in about 10 days to have stitches removed.
• Pain or numbness in your hand may get better quickly or continue for weeks or months.
• Your provider will tell you activities you can do or need to avoid. This depends on which hand needed surgery. Surgery on your dominant hand will take longer to heal.

Risks of surgery:

You may develop numbness from nerve damage during surgery. Your symptoms may not go away completely. You may develop an infection. The tendons may slip or catch. A large scar may develop. You may have long-term tenderness at or near the surgery area.

Drugs used to treat this and similar conditions

Call your local emergency department (911 in the US) if:

• You have trouble breathing.
• You have chest pain.

Seek care immediately if:

• Blood soaks through your bandage.
• Your incision comes apart.

Call your surgeon or doctor if:

• You have a fever or chills.
• Your incision site is red, swollen, or draining pus.
• You have nausea or are vomiting.
• You feel dizzy or lightheaded.
• You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

Medicines:

You may need any of the following:

• NSAIDs , such as ibuprofen, help decrease swelling, pain, and fever. NSAIDs can cause stomach bleeding or kidney problems in certain people. If you take blood thinner medicine, always ask your healthcare provider if NSAIDs are safe for you. Always read the medicine label and follow directions.
• Prescription pain medicine may be given. Ask your healthcare provider how to take this medicine safely. Some prescription pain medicines contain acetaminophen. Do not take other medicines that contain acetaminophen without talking to your healthcare provider. Too much acetaminophen may cause liver damage. Prescription pain medicine may cause constipation. Ask your healthcare provider how to prevent or treat constipation.
• Take your medicine as directed. Contact your healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell your provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.

Self-care:

• Care for the surgery area as directed. You may need to wash the area with soap and water. Dry the area and put on new, clean bandages as directed.
• Apply ice to help decrease swelling and pain. Use an ice pack, or put crushed ice in a plastic bag. Cover the bag with a towel before you place it on your wrist. Apply ice for 15 to 20 minutes every hour, or as directed.
• Elevate your wrist above the level of your heart as often as you can. This will help decrease swelling and pain. Prop your wrist on pillows or blankets to keep it elevated comfortably.
• Move your thumb and hand as directed. This helps prevent stiffness and improves function.
• Go to hand therapy if directed. Hand therapists can teach you exercises to help improve movement and strength, and to decrease pain.

Follow up with your surgeon or doctor as directed:

You will need to return to have your surgery area checked. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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