If you have a tendonitis condition in your wrist, then you may be thinking about surgery and whether it is right for you. Well, surgical therapy may be quite helpful, but there are a few questions you want to ask yourself before fully deciding on surgical intervention. Keep reading to learn about a few.

Have All Other Treatments Been Exhausted?

The wrist area contains a number of tendons, ligaments, soft tissue, and blood vessels. Surgical procedures in the region can easily cause complications and these usually have to do with the formation of scar tissue and how it places pressure on the healthy tissue in the area. So, you want to make sure that you have exhausted all options because while many people experience success, others can develop some side effects and complications.

Tendonitis treatment services include NSAID pain relievers, physical therapy, immobilization, ice therapy, heat therapy, and the use of cortisone injections. 

If you have tried all of these therapies, have met with a variety of therapists, and have had limited success with cortisone shots and the amount of time that they last, then it is often time to discuss surgery with your physician. This is especially true if range of movement has been compromised substantially and you simply cannot move your wrist much without substantial pain. 

Are You Ready For The Aftercare?

Tendon surgeries do require a substantial healing period, because the fibrous tendon tissues take some time to repair themselves. This means that you will not experience a substantial increase in movement and pain reduction at first. It can take months before you feel less pain and stiffness in your wrist. And, during the healing period, you will need to work diligently to invest in your aftercare.

Aftercare includes keeping a splint or brace on your wrist either continuously or periodically for four to six months. You will need to massage the tendon to reduce scar tissue, and you will need to meet with a rehabilitation specialist often. Stretches are often required daily as well.

In addition to the activities you must complete to encourage tendon healing, you will also need to watch your diet closely to make sure you are consuming more than enough protein. This is wise to make sure that the tendon has more than enough nutrients to heal properly. You may want to take some supplements and vitamin along with your increased protein, and your doctor should be able to suggest some options. 

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