Key points

Can de Quervain tendinopathy go away without treatment?

 That is correct. De Quervain goes away on it’s own, but it sometimes takes more than a year.  De Quervain goes away on it’s own, but it sometimes takes more than a year.

Do I have to protect myself by wearing a splint or avoiding painful activities?

 De Quervain goes away even when you don’t change your normal routine at all.  That is correct. De Quervain goes away even when you don’t change your normal routine at all.

Will a cortisone injection reduce the chance that I will have surgery?

 There is evidence that having a cortisone injection is associated with a higher likelihood of later surgery. Maybe patients and surgeons that are impatient continue to try shots and surgery rather than waiting it out. If shots worked well we would not expect to see an increased chance of having a surgery after a shot.  That is correct. There is evidence that having a cortisone injection is associated with a higher likelihood of later surgery. Maybe patients and surgeons that are impatient continue to try shots and surgery rather than waiting it out. If shots worked well we would not expect to see an increased chance of having a surgery after a shot.

If I still hurt after a year, do I need to have surgery?

 De Quervain tendinopathy lasts so long that it seems like it will never go away. But even after more than a year, it’s just a matter of time before it goes.  That is correct. De Quervain tendinopathy lasts so long that it seems like it will never go away. But even after more than a year, it’s just a matter of time before it goes.

Is surgery for de Quervain a guarantee for pain relief?

 Some people have months of pain from the scar. Some have permanent painful numbness due to a nerve injury. Sometimes one of the tendons is not completely freed up and another surgery is considered.  That is correct. Some people have months of pain from the scar. Some have permanent painful numbness due to a nerve injury. Sometimes one of the tendons is not completely freed up and another surgery is considered.