De Quervain's Tenosynovitis
Overview
Definition
De Quervain tenosynovitis is an irritation of tendons that run from the wrist to the thumb. These tendons pass through a tunnel-like tissue, called a sheath, at the wrist. The tunnel area can cause additional pressure and irritation on thickened or swollen tendons, making normal movements painful.
De Quervain Tenosynovitis |
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Risk Factors
De Quervain tenosynovitis is more common in women. Activities that may increase your chance of getting de Quervain tenosynovitis include:
- Knitting and needlepoint
- Lifting a baby or young child often
- Bowling or wrestling
- Jobs involving twisting of the wrist or driving of screws
- Excessive gaming that involves small movements of the thumb or texting
SymptomsandDiagnosis
Diagnosis
You will be asked about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. You will be asked to move your fingers and wrists in different ways to help make the diagnosis. Your may be asked to make a fist with your thumb inside your fingers and bend your wrist toward your little finger. If this causes pain at the wrist below your thumb, you may have de Quervain tenosynovitis.
Treatments
Treatment
The goal of treatment is to relieve pain and help you regain function. Supportive care may include:
- Restricting activities of the thumb and wrist
- Ice therapy to help relieve swelling
- A thumb splint to support and allow the wrist to rest
- Medication such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
If supportive care is not helpful, then cortisone injections may be advised to reduce swelling. If injections are not helpful, then surgery may be advised to open the tunnel that the tendon passes through.
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
Edits to original content made by Denver Health.
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a (De Quervain Syndrome; De Quervain Disease; Washerwoman’s Sprain)
RESOURCES
American College of Sports Medicine http://acsm.org
OrthoInfo—American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons http://orthoinfo.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Canadian Orthopaedic Association http://www.coa-aco.org
Canadian Physiotherapy Association http://www.physiotherapy.ca
References
Best treatment for de Quervain's tenosynovitis uncertain. Am Fam Physician. 2003;68(3):536.
Corticosteroid injection for treatment of de Quervain's tenosynovitis: a pooled quantitative literature evaluation. J Am Board Fam Pract. 2003;16(2):102-106.
de Quervain syndrome. Merck Manual for Health Care Professionals website. Available at: http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/musculoskeletal%5Fand%5Fconnective%5Ftissue%5Fdisorders/hand%5Fdisorders/de%5Fquervain%5Fsyndrome.html. Updated November 2016. Accessed March 26, 2018.
de Quervian tendinitis (de Quervian tendinosis). Ortho Info—American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website. Available at: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00007. Updated December 2013. Accessed March 26, 2018.
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T115729/de-Quervain-tenosynovitis . Updated April 28, 2017. Accessed March 26, 2018.
Johnson CA. Occurrence of de Quervain's disease in postpartum women—pain and tenderness in wrist. J Fam Pract. 1991 Mar;32(3):325-327.
4/30/2014 DynaMed Plus Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T115729/de-Quervain-tenosynovitis : Petit Le Manac'h A1, Roquelaure Y, Ha C, Bodin J, Meyer G. Risk factors for de Quervain's disease in a French working population. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2011 Sep;37(5):394-401.