Patient satisfaction and outcomes of surgery for de Quervain's tenosynovitis

A 3-part retrospective study was done to review the long-term results of su rgery for de Quervain's tenosynovitis. Forty-three involved wrists in 43 co nsecutive patients who had surgery from 1991 to 1996 were followed by chart review, phone interview, and outpatient examination. At an average length of follow-up of 3 years there were 2 patients with recurrence of de Quervai n's tenosynovitis (5%), 1 with radial sensory nerve injury (2%), and 1 with severe scar tenderness (2%). Complication was found to be significantly as sociated with patient dissatisfaction after surgery. A long duration of sym ptoms before surgery (greater than or equal to 10 months) was significantly associated with patient satisfaction. The cure rate of surgery, defined as the percentage of patients without postoperative complication, was 91%, wi th 88% of patients indicating full satisfaction. These findings suggest tha t (1) patient dissatisfaction is significantly associated with long-term co mplication after surgery, (2) surgery is more likely to be satisfactory for patients with a long duration of symptoms, and (3) surgical intervention i s effective as definitive therapy for de Quervain's tenosynovitis. (J Hand Surg 1999;24A:1071-1077. Copyright (C) 1999 by the American Society for Sur gery of the Hand.).