De Quervain's Tenosynovitis

What is De Quervain's Tenosynovitis?

De Quervain's Tenosynovitis is a painful condition affecting the tendons on the thumb side of your wrist. It occurs when the tendons and the tunnel they pass through become inflamed and swollen.

This condition can make simple movements of the wrist and thumb, such as grasping or twisting motions, quite painful.

Symptoms of De Quervain's Tenosynovitis

Patients with De Quervain's Tenosynovitis typically experience:

• Pain and tenderness along the thumb side of the wrist, which may extend up the forearm.
• Swelling over the thumb side of the wrist.
• Difficulty with gripping or making a fist.
• A "catching" or "snapping" sensation when moving the thumb.

How is De Quervain's Tenosynovitis Diagnosed?

Diagnosis of De Quervain's Tenosynovitis is usually made based on:

• Clinical Examination: Your doctor will examine your wrist, checking for tenderness, swelling, and pain with specific movements.
• Finkelstein Test: This involves bending the thumb across the palm and then bending the fingers down over the thumb to see if it causes pain.
• Imaging Tests: X-rays or ultrasound may be ordered to rule out other conditions or to assess the severity of inflammation.

Potential Treatments for De Quervain's Tenosynovitis

Treatment options for De Quervain's Tenosynovitis aim to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. They include:

• Rest and Immobilization: Avoiding activities that aggravate the symptoms and using a splint or brace to rest the thumb and wrist.
• Medications: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may be prescribed to reduce pain and inflammation.
• Physical Therapy: Exercises to strengthen the muscles around the thumb and improve range of motion.
• Corticosteroid Injections: Injecting corticosteroids into the tendon sheath can reduce inflammation and provide relief.
• Surgery: In severe cases where other treatments have failed, a surgical procedure to release the affected tendon sheath may be considered.

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