WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: What do I need to know about DeQuervain release? DeQuervain release is surgery to cut the tendon sheath around your inflamed tendon. The tendon sheath forms a smooth tunnel that your tendons slide through when you move your thumb. How do I prepare for surgery? Your healthcare provider will talk to you about how to prepare for surgery. He will tell you not to eat or drink anything after midnight on the day of your surgery. He will tell you what medicines to take or not take on the day of surgery. What will happen during surgery? You may be given 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. He will cut the tendon sheath so your tendon can move more freely. He will close your incision with stitches or medical tape. Your surgeon may place a bandage over the incision for 24 to 48 hours. 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. |