De Quervain's tendonitis

I suffer from de Quervain's. My ortho says that it is due to repeated injury to my wrist. (Calling ap!)

I was searching for relief of de Quervain's came across this video

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaUJpV5YqdU]DeQuervain's Tendonitis - CURED. www.youtube.com[/ame]

it says that the supplement that combines Glucosamine & Chondroitin works in seven days but there is some online that doubt that it works.

Also, the supplement that has, as far as I have searched for locally, is in veterinarian supplies for animal use.

Any suggestions?

 

You can buy Chondroitin/Glucosamine supplements from Amazon. It's as common as dodgy medical claims on youtube.

 

So you think it's a red herring?

 

I think he's being honest, but one 'success' which may or may not be in any way related to the supplement is not conclusive evidence. It's not that expensive and it doesn't sound like there are any dangers (I am not a physician), so what's the risk?

Also, be mindful of the fact that it is a prescription drug in some countries, which might be why you can only find them as vet supplies. I wouldn't recommend taking supplements intended for animals as they might not have been subject to the same quality controls and they might have other nasty things added to them.

 

It doesn't seem to be a controlled substance where I am at. Though I guess it is more available for pets. 7 days. I shall keep you posted.

Any other thoughts?

 

Ok , here we have a substance (combo) of what is essentially crustacean shells crushed up and turned into a tablet. It was originally tested to see if it might help joint problems in animals and showed some promise. Over time the results have been inconsistent. SStill the jury is out on whether it helps because of a placebo effect or a real change.

BUT your Dequeverains (teno-vaginitis or teno-synovitis) is not a joint problem but (if it is what you have) an inflammatory (maybe) condition unrelated to the joint itself. The tendons have a sheath (thus the two names mentioned) and it becomes inflammed. I bet that the guy improved and it just happened that he was taking the joinnt supplement at the same time he had a tendon problem....

I would guess that the two things are unrelated.

Just my 2 cents worth!

Mabuhay!!

LFD

 

The other option is to have surgery to liberate the tendon. Something I am not too keen on doing. YET.

 

I understand your hesitancy.

Have you considered any other treatments eg simple rehab or injections??

http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00007&grpwebid=21D9E3

http://www.livestrong.com/article/427778-physical-therapy-for-de-quervains-disease/

http://saveyourself.ca/articles/frictions.php

http://physio-treatment.weebly.com/5/post/2011/9/de-quervain-tenosynovitis.html

Some people have also had success using strapping, splinting or acupuncture.

I wouldn't jump to have surgery too quickly and there are a few options in the meantime. If nothing helps within a reasonable period then you need to consider altering your activities more or having the surgery or both. Rehab after surgery may also be needed.

Just suggestions!

LFD

 

I was told that accupuncture might work. Unfortinately my usual accupuncturist, Eddie Concepcion, MD, his schedule is quite full until next month. I have a fear of needles and I only trust him. I guess my plan of action would be to take the suppliments and then, if it does not work, I will head off to Doc Eddie's when his schedule opens up.

 

M,
I'd do both - Acu and Supps...You might want to get hold of some serrapeptase (sp?) - An enzyme secreted by silkworms. Also some Green Lip Mussel capsules. Both of which are used to tamp and defeat inflammation. Also anything that increases your collagen production is useful.

Also increase the amount of the following in your diet:

Turmeric, Oregano and Ginger - Try taking a couple of powdered teaspoonfuls per day with water, in between meals.

These are pretty good for getting rid of inflammation and joint pain - If taken regularly.

Good Luck

 

As LFD said, corticosteroid injection seems to be the first linetreatment of choice.

 

I understand what he said, unfortunately I do not believe in cortizone. I have seen it do more harm than good in the runners that I know and even my mom. So, yeah, no cortizone for me.

 

Rus,

Thanks for this. I was just researching on a ginger, oregano, lemon, turmeric juice shot. Will let you know how that pans out. I have used ginger and turmeric with some success as a paste to manage inflammations.

M

 

Fair enough, as long as thats your informed decision.

If I may ask what issues around it put you off so much?

 

Aside from the fact that: 1) whatever is afflicting you will come back (in the case of my running buddies); and 2) it causes muscles to fray (in the case of my mom's back). Nothing really.

I spoke to my doctor buddy as my uncle (who is a doctor) and my wife has nagged me to "correct" my situation (which means to fix it as fast as I can even if it means "liberating the tendon" aka surgery) just now on the phone. He said that there is this new procedure which entails taking my blood, processing it, and injecting it back to me. The only problem is that the procedure isn't covered by my health insurance. I shall go to consult with him either tomorrow or on wednesday.

 

Tendon injuries have had a few things tried lately with mixed results. The blood injections( autologous blood injections - platelet rich plasma) and high pressure shock waves have been used but again with mixed results (read this as nothing more than any other treament but costing a lot more :' ). Considering the costs and potential risks to the patient they haven't come across as any better than previous methods and perhaps worse.

Part of the problem is that there are a number of things that affect tendons and people tend to look at pain rather than the cause of the problem. Things can be roughly grouped into 2 categories-tendonitis and tendonosis. The first is inflammatory whilst the second is a tissue overload problem. The first (and related conditions of the sheath/bursa etc) may benefit from anti-inflammatory treatment of whatever sort. The second problem is managed more slowly. Treatment tends to be a ''reconditioning'' of the tendon to load slowly by either doing medium to low intensity weight training daily (min 12 weeks) or high load eccentric weights 2-3 times a week for a similar period of time. In the second case you could see it as the tendon can't stand the strain and , much like a submission, the tendon is registering the load and saying stop!!! To make the tendon tolerate load better it needs to be given a chance to adapt which is why it takes a lot longer than with a tendonitis.

All treatment in physical medicine is a bit iffy :' ) I'm just letting you know what the state of things are today. I was looking at one of the world's experts in tendon managment said a few weeks back and he sort of threw his hands up and said the evidence is week but this is what appears to work best from what we know so far.

On the problems with injections, in years gone by they tended to be done too enthusiastically and into tissues that weren't always appropriate. Here in the UK we can inject using US imaging guidance. You may have an injection done via your GP, a specialist or a Physiotherapist that has been signed off for giving injections (in the UK physio/physical therapists are now, once checked by our licensing body, able to both inject and presecribe a limited selection of medications).

FWIW

LFD

The 2 things that seem to help tendon problems the most in the long term

 

I'm dealing with DeQuervain's right now - initial injury/onset since early August.

I had a cortisone shot soon after the injury which relieved symptoms almost completely for a good couple of months, but it started stiffening up again in late Nov. The ortho says the next step is surgery but I'm really hesitant to do that. I'm splinting it currently and really trying to not take any load on the wrist, inflammation definitely is reducing but tightness and pain are still there if I try to articulate the wrist in that direction. I recently tried Graston and that just seems to have aggravated it more.

I found that video too and have tried some Osteo biflex, but so far I don't notice any improvement.

 

splinting and limiting the movement works for now and there's a chance it will just go away on it's own but i have a life to live. consult was moved to today due to meetings. hopefully i can make it this time.

 

I finally did it! Got operated on today! Watched them cut my tunnels, too. We had a pretty nurse and a pretty intern to boot.

 

How has recovery been? Was the surgery effective?