BS: deQuervain's tendonitis

Subject: RE: BS: deQuervain's tendonitis
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 01 Feb 08 - 01:25 PM

I had regular garden variety forearm tendonitis in 1994. The first thing I did was stop doing what caused it and start doing it the right way so as not to damage my body further. In my case it was using a computer mouse to clean up bitmapped images in Photoshop. (Got my mouse placed so my hand would be in a neutral position, relaxed the muscles in my hand, took breaks, etc.)

I also remembered an article in Smithsonian about the work of Dr. Emil Pascarelli. He started working with musicians and then found a lot of the repetitive stress injuries started coming from people using computers. His book --   Repetitive Strain Injury: A Computer User's Guide; Emil Pascarelli and Deborah Quilter (ISBN 0471595330) -- is the best I've ever run across on the subject with good advice, good exercises, etc. (And, believe me, there are some books with some very BAD advice out there.)

Lots on deQuervain's tendonitis in the book.

I never lost any time at work (my boss worked with me on making changes). And I never actually got professional help for it. It did take a long time to heal. At one point, when I had plateaued in my recovery, I had an appointment with an osteopath (who had gotten his MD first) for something completely different. Mentioned the forearm tendonitis and he did some manipulation around my elbow and, whatever it was, it unblocked the continuation of healing. Haven't had any problems since -- and if I get the first twinges, I again straighten out how I'm abusing my arm and it goes away.

The problem with surgery is it causes scar tissue which can also cause problems. Plus, it's considerably less likely that if the condition returns, that further surgery will do any good or even be possible.

Physical therapy is by far a better solution.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: deQuervain's tendonitis
From: GUEST,Anya
Date: 14 Feb 08 - 03:28 PM

I am 23 and have had DeQuervians since i was 16. It started in my right hand and now i have it in both. I have had one operation on the right and 2 on the left and am sorry to say it hasn't helped. The pain is actually worse for me now than it was when i was first diagnosed. It took 9 months for me to have a confirmed diagnosis though.

Subject: RE: BS: deQuervain's tendonitis
From: Bill D
Date: 14 Feb 08 - 07:01 PM

for those who have enough discomfort to make using a computer mouse difficult, I have a program which *I* use now & then - which does not require you to click the mouse. (PC only, I'm afraid)

You simply move the mouse and pause its arrow where you wish, and it clicks for you. There are various setting for the time delay, for double clicks...etc.

The program has become a pay program and changed its name from "Mouse Tool" to "Quill Nib"..or just "Nib" at http://www.aerobicmouse.com/software-overview/
(they have special hardware, as well as software)

but the original free program can be found at this site as "MTool31.zip". It works very well..

Subject: RE: BS: deQuervain's tendonitis
From: Bill D
Date: 14 Feb 08 - 07:20 PM

note...the pay version on that Nib site DOES have a version for MAC

Subject: RE: BS: deQuervain's tendonitis
From: robomatic
Date: 14 Feb 08 - 07:25 PM

I have had instances of severe tendonitis which were addressed by a course of a strong anti-inflammatory which lasted for two weeks. I've used the same prescription drug for back pain, wrist pain and neck pain and I've been lucky enough that it worked and the medication could be discontinued.

It's called 'feldene'.

robo

Subject: RE: BS: deQuervain's tendonitis
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Feb 08 - 07:35 PM

BillD, thanks for that nifty little program. My right thumb gets very sore sometimes clicking on the side of my track ball. I've just installed it and it is clicking away for me! Also, my grandson has trouble clicking and doing the track ball as his handspan isn't quite wide enough, so I know he'll like it.

Subject: RE: BS: deQuervain's tendonitis
From: Bill D
Date: 14 Feb 08 - 07:41 PM

wonderful! You can tweak the setting to suit...

Subject: RE: BS: deQuervain's tendonitis
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 15 Feb 08 - 01:41 PM

Tried a trackball once (back when I was having the problem) and found it actually made the situation worse. Tried it once since (long after healing) and found it very uncomfortable. I've got no problem with a regular mouse (Mac or PC) as long as I keep my mousehand in a neutral position and don't hang onto the mouse as tightly as if I'd fall off a cliff if I let go.

Linn

Subject: RE: BS: deQuervain's tendonitis
From: Fortunato
Date: 16 Feb 08 - 08:21 AM

It's important to remember that the only long term success will come from not doing what has caused the injury. ( I hear you scream, "I must type to live", but wait!) Splits, creams, pills, ice, shots, etc. are interim treatments, only they don't solve the problem. Continuing with change may cause long term disability.

These injuries are Musculoskeletal disorders, and are the result of, usually, 3 variables:
frequency (how many times, how often do you do it? Rest!)
duration (how long do you do it? Take regular breaks, stretch in the opposite direction)
force (how much force does it take to do it? Reduce it!)
One variable usually has little effect but two increases the risk of injury geometrically. So if you get the variables down to one you reduce your risk geometrically!)

These cause wear and tear. Think of your body as biomechanical, a machine with parts that wear over time. Your body is unique, and the life of its parts may not be what you think it ought to be.

In order to heal, and prevent reoccurance and LONG TERM DISABILITY
you must reduce those variables.
Those who have operations and continue to perform the same tasks in the same manner experience reoccurance. Period.

Subject: RE: BS: deQuervain's tendonitis
From: Bill D
Date: 16 Feb 08 - 11:13 PM

so...open tunings instead of barred Fs?

Subject: RE: BS: deQuervain's tendonitis
From: Fortunato
Date: 17 Feb 08 - 11:52 AM

Yes, Mr. Bill, if you're having pain during your Fs.

Subject: RE: BS: deQuervain's tendonitis
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Mar 08 - 04:10 PM

has anyone had the surgery for deQuervain's and what was the approx cost of the operation?

Subject: RE: BS: deQuervain's tendonitis
From: GUEST,Jane
Date: 23 Mar 08 - 12:49 AM

Sal,
    I understand the stretching fingers, but please explain what to do with your thumb. In an attempt to stretch, I've been gently pushing my thumb away from my palm and down toward my wrist. Is there something more I can do?

   Too, after a change of desks at work, I noticed the ongoing pain that I had in my shoulder disappeared, but that is when the pain/big-time-swelling in my writs and thumbs began. Have you heard of any connection (perhaps a referred pain) between shoulder pain and deQuervain's?

Subject: RE: BS: deQuervain's tendonitis
From: GUEST,Update
Date: 23 Apr 08 - 09:13 PM

I posted a while back and my deQuervian's is much better after 4 sessions of shiatsu massage. Also, the older my baby gets, the more she holds herself up, so that my hands don't have to do all the work. It does get better ladies.

Subject: RE: BS: deQuervain's tendonitis
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Apr 08 - 10:17 PM

Good for you! Thanks for checking in.

Subject: RE: BS: deQuervain's tendonitis
From: GUEST,Amy
Date: 24 May 09 - 08:47 PM

Hi, I had deQuervain's starting when I was 14. It took so long to figure out what it was that the steroid shot didn't work and I ended up having surgery on my right wrist. It has been fine ever since, the last 6 years. There has been slight pain when overusing (which is common because I work in assisted living), usually at that point I put a splint on it for a day and it's fine. I had deQuervains in the left hand when I was 18. Again, I had the steroid shot because we caught it right away, but it didn't help AGAIN! Up until now, it has been fine but the pain came back suddenly and terribly. I'll be seeing my hand surgeon again, however I'm quite certain I will be having the surgery for the second time on the left (even though I thought it would be on the right since I am right handed).
I honestly do reccommend the surgery for people who use their hands and arms a lot in repetitive motion. Yes, there is a chance it will return even with the surgery, but it's better than not having it at all.

Subject: RE: BS: deQuervain's tendonitis
From: GUEST,graham
Date: 24 Jun 09 - 01:05 PM

hi i have also been diagnosed with De Quervain's tenosynovitis after i had a fall 14 months ago, at 1st the doctors thought i had fractured my scafoid but after numerous x-rays and also a MRI scan this proved negative so after 10 weeks in plaster my wrist was finally mine, the advice from the doctors was that i had damaged the tendons and that everything should be ok in 4-6 weeks if i just rest it, anyway i deceided to contact an injury lawyer regarding claiming compensation for the fall i recceived after triping on a loose pavement tile, i was advised i needed a medical on my wrist and it was only by this doctor 9 months after my initial accident was it diagnosed, he recommended that i undergo this injection to which i flatly refused as i am scared of needles lol said i know, anyway it is now 15months after my accident and i am only now receiving physio therapy for this condition when i asked my therapist should i of had this injection she advised me that it is only effective in 50% of the patients and it is also supposed to be very painfull she described it as being next to child birth so i thank my lucky stars i haven't had it being a man that would hurt, what i am asking if anyone knows is would his condition be a permenant thing as i am a music teacher who plays piano keyboard and the organ and since my accident i haven't been able to play with my left hand so i have been unable to teach as i can barely even lift my hand to my face//

Subject: RE: BS: deQuervain's tendonitis
From: Alice
Date: 25 Jun 09 - 10:58 AM

I've experienced child birth and the steroid shot in my wrist. Trust me, the shot doesn't really hurt much.

You may check and see if someone in your area practices Graston Technique. I had some Graston therapy done for the dequervain numbness. That might help you, but the pain from the technique that at times when it hits a sensitive spot is worse than the shot, although it does not involve needles.

Subject: RE: BS: deQuervain's tendonitis
From: GUEST,Quemo
Date: 21 Oct 14 - 03:57 PM

Hi! Thought I might contribute. I've had dequarveins in both wrists since 2013. It's now 2014. The tendons that are going thru the narrow sheath are inflamed because of the tiny tears that the sheath causes. So if you get the surgery it will make it so the tendons will glide thru. But it does very little for the tendon damage such as tiny tears. And the tendon is very slow if ever to heal. Mine was very tight and I had the surgery to release. It wasn't until 4 months after the surgery they did an MRI. The tear was 1.5 inches long on the Apl tendon and went completely thru. With the extent of damage I should have immediately ceased working. I did repetitive typing 40 hrs a week for 12 years. So my advice is to immediately get an MRI to see what you are dealing with first. They don't like to pay for this right away though. Luckily I have ltd and ssdi. But many here may not have that. I'm currently looking forward to tendon surgery in a few months which they remove the damaged part of the tendon. Not many Drs. Have done this by the way.

Subject: RE: BS: deQuervain's tendonitis
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 21 Oct 14 - 07:06 PM

I hope your surgery goes well and solves the problem.