Fact Checked
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is a condition that cause discomfort in the bottom thumb side of the wrist. This is an inflammatory condition that affects the tendon sheaths that passes on the joints of the wrist. The inflammation happens due to injuries and result to redness, pain, warmth, swelling and loss of function on the affected area.
Causes
- Overuse of the thumb or wrist
- Skiing
- Knitting
- Wringing out wet clothes
A common symptom is pain that is felt over the thumb side of the wrist which happens gradually or suddenly. - Lifting objects such as jugs of milk, taking a frying pan off the stove and lifting a baby out of a crib
- Conditions such as diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis
- Women are more susceptible to the condition than with men. It usually affects women between the ages of 30-50 years old.
Symptoms
- A common symptom is pain that is felt over the thumb side of the wrist which happens gradually or suddenly. The pain is felt in the wrist and spreads down the forearm and becomes worse when using the hand and the thumb. Pain is severe when forcefully grasping an object and twisting the wrist.
- Swelling of the thumb side of the wrist.
- Difficulty in moving the thumb and wrist due to the pain and swelling.
- A “catching” or “snapping” sensation when moving the thumb.
- There is numbness at the back of the thumb and index finger due to the irritated nerve found on top of the tendon sheath.
- A squeak, snap, crackle or creak can be heard when moving the wrist or thumb.
- The back of the thumb and index finger can feel numb.
Treatment of De Quervain’s tenosynovitis
- Get plenty of rest and avoid moving the hand and wrist.
- Avoid performing activities that can cause pain until the symptoms are minimized or feels better.
- Wear a splint to keep the wrist in line with the arm and also helps minimize the movement of the thumb and wrist.
- Apply an ice pack or warm compress on the area that is painful and inflamed. Make sure that the ice pack is wrapped in a clean cloth and placed on the affected area at least 15 minutes every 4-6 hours. Heat can be used at least 20-30 minutes for 2-3 times every day. Another option is taking a bath in a hot shower.
- Take the prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen to help lessen the pain and inflammation.
- If the symptoms get better within a few weeks, start performing some gentle stretching exercises once the symptoms disappears.
- If the thumb and wrist still causes pain despite the treatment, seek medical help immediately.
Tips
- Proper warm up before performing lifting, grasping or holding an object for long periods of time.
- Muscles that are flexible help lessen tension on the tendons and also reduces the inflammation to the sheaths covering them.
FACT CHECK
https://www.webmd.com/rheumatoid-arthritis/guide/de-quervains-disease#1
https://www.medicinenet.com/de_quervains_tenosynovitis/article.htm