De Quervain's Tenosynovitis

The prognosis for wrist tenosynovitis varies significantly depending on the duration of the illness and the degree of tissue change. In the acute phase (less than 3 months), the main issue is tendon sheath swelling, and since fibrosis has not yet begun, significant recovery occurs within 4 to 6 weeks with conservative treatment alone (acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, splinting, and exercise restriction). In the chronic phase (6 months or more), the tendon sheath thickens and adhesions form on the tendon surface, so simple rest and injections alone have limitations. Checking the thickness of the tendon sheath and the presence of tendon degeneration via ultrasound allows for a more accurate prediction of the prognosis. The core of chronic conditions lies in the simultaneous progression of the adhesion of stagnant blood debris (primarily hard lumps) and a deficiency of blood in the liver. As the condition persists, aggressive procedures are required to separate hardened tissue using fine or warm needles and stimulate tendon regeneration with dissolvable sutures. Personalized herbal medicine replenishes blood in the liver and removes stagnant blood, fluids, and waste products, laying the foundation for tissue regeneration. At Dongjedang, we compare changes in tendon sheath thickness using ultrasound before, during, and after treatment, and share these results with the patient.