De Quervain Release

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

• Care notes
• Ambulatory
• Discharge
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What do I 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 do I 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.

Drugs used to treat this and similar conditions

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 should I 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.

What are the 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.

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