If these treatments don’t help, your doctor may recommend surgery. The operation would release the tendon’s tight covering so that the tendon could move smoothly. It’s an outpatient procedure, which means you go home afterward. Your doctor will recommend an exercise program to strengthen your thumb and wrist.
Recovery times vary depending on your age, general health, and how long you’ve had the symptoms.
If your disease has developed gradually, it's often tougher to treat. So it may take you longer to get relief.