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 the wrist. It occurs due to inflammation and swelling of the tendon sheath, making it difficult and painful to move the thumb and wrist, especially during gripping or twisting actions.

Causes

→ Repetitive hand or wrist movements (overuse)

→ Activities involving gripping, lifting, or wringing

→ Injury or trauma to the wrist

→ Pregnancy and postpartum hormonal changes

→ Inflammatory conditions (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis)

→ Improper wrist posture or strain

→ Gaming, texting, or prolonged smartphone use

Symptoms

→ Pain near the base of the thumb

→ Swelling on the thumb side of the wrist

→ Difficulty moving the thumb or wrist

→ Pain while gripping, lifting, or twisting

→ Tenderness and stiffness

→ “Finkelstein test” pain (pain when thumb is bent inside the fist and wrist is tilted)

→ Reduced grip strength

Diagnosis

→ Clinical examination by doctor

→ Finkelstein test (provocation test)

→ Patient history and symptom evaluation

→ Physical assessment of pain and swelling

→ Imaging (ultrasound or MRI, if needed) to rule out other conditions

Treatment Management

→ Rest and activity modification

→ Splinting (thumb spica splint to immobilize wrist and thumb)

→ Ice application to reduce pain and swelling

→ Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

→ Physiotherapy (stretching and strengthening exercises)

→ Corticosteroid injections (in persistent cases)

→ Ergonomic correction (proper hand positioning and posture)

→ Surgery (in severe or resistant cases to release tendon sheath)