De Quervain's Tenosynovitis

Cold compresses (icing) are effective during the acute inflammatory phase within 48 to 72 hours of onset. Once the sensation of heat subsides, heat therapy helps recovery by increasing blood flow. Thumb immobilization splints are effective in reducing friction within the tendon tunnel, but since long-term use can cause atrophy of surrounding muscles, they should be used restrictively only during sleep or repetitive tasks. For recovery stretching, passive extension exercises—such as spreading the palms and slowly spreading the thumbs—help maintain tendon flexibility. In Korean medicine, acute edema is a condition where damp heat energy is stagnated within the tendons; therefore, cooling the heat with cold compresses and utilizing medicinal herbs that increase urination to reduce inflammation are appropriate. In the chronic stage, cold energy often becomes fixed in the tendons, so thermal stimulation helps to improve circulation. At Dongjedang, we provide detailed guidance on self-care methods to be performed at home at every stage of treatment, so we recommend consulting us at any time if your management approach changes during treatment.