De Quervain's Tenosynovitis

De Quervain's Tenosynovitis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

De Quervain's Tenosynovitis, also known as De Quervain's Syndrome or Disease, is a painful wrist condition caused by inflammation of thumb-side tendons. These tendons enable essential thumb movements for daily tasks.

Causes:

• Repetitive Hand and Wrist Movements: Activities like lifting heavy objects or grasping strain tendons, leading to inflammation.
• Overuse: Continuous engagement in repetitive tasks without rest contributes to this condition.
• Direct Injury: Trauma to the thumb or wrist can trigger tendon inflammation.

Symptoms:

• Pain: Along the thumb-side wrist, sometimes extending to the forearm.
• Swelling: Tenderness and swelling around the thumb-side wrist.
• Thumb Movement Difficulty: Simple tasks like grasping become painful and challenging.
• Crepitus: Some may experience a crackling sensation during thumb movements.

Diagnosis and Treatment:

• Diagnostic Procedures: Physical examination, including Finkelstein's test, aids in diagnosis by assessing tenderness and pain during specific thumb movements.
• Conservative Treatment: Rest, activity modification, and immobilization using a thumb splint or brace reduce inflammation and promote healing.
• Kinesiotaping: Provides support, reduces inflammation, and eases symptoms. Seek guidance from a hand therapist for proper application.
• Ice and Heat Therapy: Alternating application helps alleviate pain and inflammation.
• Pain Management: Topical analgesics and corticosteroid injections offer relief.
• Hand Therapy: Custom splints and targeted exercises enhance thumb strength and flexibility.
• Surgery: Reserved for severe, unresponsive cases, surgical tendon release may be necessary.

Prompt medical evaluation is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Early intervention enhances recovery and outcomes.