De Quervain's tenosynovitis, can you choose surgery instead of injection?

[iblmc]

I was diagnosed with DeQuervain's Tenosynovitis almost a year and a half ago and it's just getting worse as the days go on, I was told to wear a brace on my wrist and thumb which does nothing to help, was told to do exercises which have also done nothing.

It keeps 'clicking' and the pain makes me wince. I'm dropping cups, struggling to write, can barely use a mouse, hurts when I stick my finger out to turn off a light, can't bear any weight on my right wrist at all as in if I am getting up from sitting down, I keep being woken up if I catch my hand/wrist a certain way, carrying bags or anything else hurts and now I get random shooting pains at random times.

If anyone has this or has had it, can you skip the steroid injection and just opt for the surgery? did the surgery help/take it away?

I’ve had this twice and had the injection both times, I’m not sure why you’d opt for surgery without trying the injection?

I have been diagnosed with this also. Like OP, no improvement despite following the instructions from doc!
Does the injection work well?

Sorry, that was to FFSake. Excellent user name by the way.

I am not sure why you would skip the injection as it is the cheapest option for the nhs as it often can be done by a GP.

i have had about 6 thumb injections -they gave almost complete relief for 6 months at a time - bliss!

I have also had lots of finger surgeries - they only work if you follow the physio regime very closely - and there is always a risk they can go wrong - I ended up with repeat surgeries on one hand as it had not worked as anticipated. For that reason, I would go for the injection if you are offered that as it may cure it for you.

The other thing is have you been given hand braces by the nhs ? The one they have supplied now immobilises the thumb completely - more like a cast as I can't have more injections in that thumb - so you may get better pain relief with a better brace.

I had to have NHS physio before they'd give me injections. Months of pain with a new born / young baby. The injections hurt like hell but cured me instantly. I had both wrists done in the same appointment. The problem never came back even after baby #2 who I BF for over 2 years

I had this after my first baby, the injections cured it within 48h. I'm not sure why you wouldn't give them a go before resorting to surgery.

I had the injection- 16 years ago. Almost instant relief, and no further pain.

For me, a really robust medical shoulder massage from a physio sorted it out.the tension in my shoulders was showing up as wrist pain

The injection solved mine completely

How old are you OP? I had it as a pregnancy related thing w DC1 that resolved with birth; crept back in mid 40s but has been resolved w HRT. Have the injection, try to reduce general inflammation and wishing you speedy recovery.

I had the injection privately and found relief for about a year. Apparently you can only have the injection twice. Mine was related to lifting my toddler and although it clicks and twinges, it’s nothing like it was so I hope as DS grows, it will resolve itself.

@NewGirlInTownthanks! Yes, the injection cleared it up for me almost immediately, it’s a little uncomfortable while they’re doing it and I think I had a week off work afterwards.

Thank you so much. I am resolved to ask my GP now.