It is a condition caused by strain and inflammation of the thumb tendons inside their canal at the level of the wrist. Presenting with wrist pain, it is named after the Swiss surgeon Fritz de Quervain. Pain occurs especially when making a fist, gripping and holding objects.
What causes De Quervain's tenosynovitis? Who gets it?
It is mostly seen in middle-aged women (40–50). After strenuous and repetitive movements, inflammation causes swelling and widening around the tendon, leading to difficulty and pain with thumb movements. In new mothers in particular, the hand position used while carrying the baby and the effects of hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy and breastfeeding make it more likely. Previous wrist fractures, injuries, weight training with unaccustomed loads and rheumatic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis can also cause it. Often, however, the exact cause cannot be identified.
What are the signs?
The most typical signs are pain, tenderness and swelling on the thumb side of the wrist. The pain often spreads down to the thumb and up to the forearm. It increases with strong gripping involving the thumb, with twisting the wrist, or with lifting the thumb against resistance. Severe pain occurs especially when the thumb is tucked into the palm and the wrist is bent towards the little finger.
How is it treated?
In the early stage, splints preventing painful thumb movements are used for about 3 weeks, together with painkillers and anti-inflammatory medication. Local cortisone or other injections can be given. In cases that do not respond to conservative methods, definitive and very pleasing results are achieved with surgery. The operation can be done under local anaesthesia at the wrist: the tunnel compressing the tendons is opened so that they can move freely, and the pain goes away.
The information on this page is for general information only and does not replace an examination and diagnosis.