If you're living with constant hand or wrist pain, everyday tasks like turning a doorknob or typing can feel impossible. When conditions like trigger finger or De Quervain's tenosynovitis make it hard to move your fingers, you need expert care to get back to your life.
At Performance Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, David B. Dickerson, MD, and our dedicated team provide advanced hand and wrist care to help you find lasting relief. We proudly serve patients at our offices in Toms River and Shrewsbury, New Jersey.
Surgery is typically considered when conservative treatments, such as splinting or steroid injections, fail to provide lasting relief from pain and stiffness. We always explore nonsurgical options first, as conservative therapies resolve symptoms for the vast majority of patients. However, if these initial treatments don't provide lasting relief, surgery becomes the most effective path forward.
We recommend surgery when chronic inflammation causes the tendon sheath to thicken permanently. This thickening creates a mechanical blockage, making it impossible for the tendon to glide smoothly during normal hand movements.
During hand surgery for tendonitis, the main goal is to release the tight tissue constricting your tendon so it can move freely again. For trigger finger, we can often perform a minimally invasive percutaneous release. This technique uses a tiny needle or micro-blade to divide the tight pulley through the skin, avoiding a large incision.
According to a study by Medical Researchers, patients undergoing percutaneous release returned to work in a median of just three days, compared to 15 days for traditional open surgery.
For De Quervain's tenosynovitis, we perform a surgical release of the wrist's first dorsal compartment. This procedure is highly successful at eliminating the friction that causes sharp wrist pain. A comprehensive systematic review showed that surgical release for De Quervain's achieves a 95% absolute rate of complete pain remission.
Recovery focuses on early active movement rather than prolonged immobilization to prevent stiffness and scar tissue. Many patients worry that hand surgery means weeks of rigid casting and a permanent loss of dexterity. Fortunately, modern recovery protocols prioritize the exact opposite.
We don't want you to keep your hand completely still. In fact, the International Federation of Societies for Surgery of the Hand (IFSSH) guidelines emphasize that early active motion is crucial for preventing scar tissue and restoring grip strength. We'll guide you through gentle, controlled movements shortly after your procedure to keep your joints supple and help you recover your dexterity much faster.
You don't have to live with the daily frustration of hand pain and limited mobility. Our team is here to help you find the right treatment plan, whether that means conservative care or a quick, effective surgical release. To learn more about your options, schedule a consultation with our team today by calling 732-691-4898 or requesting an appointment online.
