Suprafibrous injection with corticosteroid in de Quervain's disease.

Between February 1996 and August 2001, 115 suprafibrous injections with corticosteroid were performed on 103 patients. Initial satisfactory result was found in 105 wrists (91.30%). The average duration of follow-up was 34 months. Seventy-one wrists (61.74%) had no recurrence of the symptom. The average pain free interval in the patient who had recurrence of the symptom after having an initial satisfactory result was five months. The success rate following one to three suprafibrous injections was 77.39 per cent. Suprafibrous injection is technically easier and has less risk of intratendinous injection than intrasynovial injection. The accuracy of injection and anatomical variation of the first extensor compartment of the wrist affect the result of intrasynovial injection but will not affect the result of suprafibrous injection in de Quervain's disease.