De Quervain's Tenosynovitis

If steroid injections have been repeated three or more times, it is highly likely that fibrosis of the tendon sheath inner layer has progressed significantly and localized weakening has occurred within the tendon itself. This condition is also the reason why the effect of additional injections is short-lived. At this stage, the key elements are the release of structural adhesions (needle acupuncture) and the promotion of tissue regeneration (fire acupuncture and thread embedding); an approach that transforms the tissue itself is required rather than simple anti-inflammatory treatment. From a Korean medicine perspective, the condition following repeated steroid use corresponds to a pattern of mixed excess and deficiency syndromes, characterized by deeply entrenched blood stasis and depleted vital energy. Since unconditionally applying only aggressive needle acupuncture can further deplete vital energy, we adopt a method of gradually increasing the intensity of needle acupuncture while first replenishing liver blood and kidney vital energy with herbal medicine tailored to the patient's constitution. At Dongjedang, we design individual treatment plans by comprehensively analyzing injection history and ultrasound findings, and we explore the possibility of conservative treatment even in the stage immediately preceding surgery.