Retrospective patient-reported assessment of quality of life after surgical release for de Quervain tenosynovitis

Background: Evaluation of the quality of life following surgical release of the first extensor compartment in adult patients with de Quervain disease. Patients and methods: This retrospective study included hospital chart review and patient-reported outcome assessment using the German version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) Outcome Measure and the validated German Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ). Results: A total of 46 patients underwent a surgical release of the first extensor compartment for de Quervain disease. Postoperative German MHQ was 78±4. Postoperative DASH score was 19±5. Satisfaction with surgery was rated positive in 85%, and 89% would undergo the procedure again. Patients with a transversal incision line had a DASH result of 11±6 and a German MHQ score of 83±7, patients with a longitudinal incision had a DASH score of 22±9 and a German MHQ score of 80±6. The patients pain level after transversal incision was markedly lower (resting pain=0.4±0.3; stress pain=1.0±0.6) than in patients operated with a longitudinal incision (resting pain=2.4±0.9; stress pain=3.1±1.1). Conclusion: The surgical approach for the treatment of de Quervain disease is associated with a high postoperative quality of life, a low postoperative morbidity and a low level of postoperative pain. A transversal incision is associated with better postoperative results than the longitudinal approach.