Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsTreatmentRecovery TimeCausesPreventing Pain
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Treatment
Recovery Time
Causes
Preventing Pain
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis(also called de Quervain’s disease) is a condition that affects tendons that attach to two muscles of the thumb—extensor pollicis brevis and abductor pollicis longus.This condition typically develops from repetitive use of the thumb for activities such as twisting and pinching, but the cause is not always known.
This article discusses de Quervain’s tenosynovitis causes and triggers, what the condition feels like, how to manage the condition at home, medical treatment, and recovery time.
Symptoms: Describing de Quervain’s Tenosynovitis Pain
The primary symptom of de Quervain’s tenosynovitis is pain along the outer edge of the wrist andthumb, with use of the thumb tendons that are affected. These tendons lift the thumb up (the hitchhiking position) and out to the side (like you’re grabbing a cup). Swelling can also occur.
Some people might feel a snapping or catching sensation with thumb movement and experience stiffness.A fluid-filled sac (cyst) can also develop.
Diagnosing de Quervain’s TenosynovitisA simple test—the Finkelstein test—which is performed as follows, can help determine if a person has de Quervain’s tenosynovitis:Make a fist with the thumb tucked under the fingers.Tilt the wrist toward the pinky side of the hand (like using a hammer). If there is pain along the thumb side of the wrist, the test is considered positive.An X-ray might also be performed to rule outthumb arthritis, which can cause similar symptoms.
Diagnosing de Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
A simple test—the Finkelstein test—which is performed as follows, can help determine if a person has de Quervain’s tenosynovitis:Make a fist with the thumb tucked under the fingers.Tilt the wrist toward the pinky side of the hand (like using a hammer). If there is pain along the thumb side of the wrist, the test is considered positive.An X-ray might also be performed to rule outthumb arthritis, which can cause similar symptoms.
A simple test—the Finkelstein test—which is performed as follows, can help determine if a person has de Quervain’s tenosynovitis:
An X-ray might also be performed to rule outthumb arthritis, which can cause similar symptoms.
Treatment to Heal from de Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
Treatment for de Quervain’s tenosynovitis depends on the severity of the condition.
Home Management
Hand therapy interventionsfor this condition can include:
Prescribed Medications
Medications can help decrease pain and inflammation that can occur with de Quervain’s tenosynovitis. OTC medications may be tried first.
Prescription-strength non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicationscan also be used to treat de Quervain’s tenosynovitis. These can be oral medications or topical creams that are rubbed into the skin over the affected tendons.
Examples include:
de Quervain’s tenosynovitis is also treated with corticosteroid medication that is injected into thetendon sheaththat holds the affected tendons in place.
Celebrex vs. Meloxicam: Similarities & Differences
Surgery
Around 50% to 80% of cases of de Quervain’s tenosynovitis improve with conservative treatment.
However, if symptoms do not improve with conservative treatment, surgery might be required. This procedure involves releasing the tendon sheath that holds the two involved tendons in place to relieve pressure on these structures.
Hand therapy is often prescribed for rehabilitation after de Quervain’s tendon release surgery.
Symptoms of de Quervain’s tenosynovitis typically improve within four to six weeks of conservative treatment.
Recovery after de Quervain’s tendon release surgery can take up to 12 weeks.
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis Injury: Causes and Triggers
Certain factors can increase risk of developing this condition, such as:
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is also common during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to hormonal changes.For many people, the condition resolves on its own after childbirth or when breastfeeding stops.
How to Minimize Thumb to Wrist Pain
While de Quervain’s tenosynovitis can’t always be prevented, you can take steps to help decrease your risk of developing thumb-to-wrist pain.
Summary
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is a condition that affects tendons of the extensor pollicis brevis and abductor pollicis longus muscles that move the thumb. This condition causes pain and sometimes other symptoms such as swelling and snapping/catching of the tendon during movement.
The cause of this condition is not always known, but it often occurs with repetitive motion activities. Treatment for de Quervain’s tenosynovitis includes medications, splinting, hand therapy, injections, and, less commonly, surgery.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Fakoya AO, Tarzian M, Sabater EL, Burgos DM, Maldonado Marty GI.De Quervain’s disease: a discourse on etiology, diagnosis, and treatment.Cureus. 2023:15(4):e38079. doi:10.7759/cureus.38079American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.De Quervain’s tenosynovitis.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.de Quervain’s tenosynovitis.Kaiser Permanente.De Quervain’s disease: exercises.Memorial Sloak Kettering Cancer Center.De Quervain’s tenosynovitis.American Academy of Family Physicians.De Quervain’s tenosynovitis.Kaiser Permanente.De Quervain’s tendon release: what to expect at home.Bae KJ, Baek GH, Lee Y, Lee J, Jo YG.Incidence and risk factors for pregnancy-related de quervain’s tenosynovitis in south korea: a population-based epidemiologic study.Clin Orthop Surg. 2023;15(1):145-152. doi:10.4055%2Fcios22099American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Advice from a certified hand therapist: joint protection.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Fakoya AO, Tarzian M, Sabater EL, Burgos DM, Maldonado Marty GI.De Quervain’s disease: a discourse on etiology, diagnosis, and treatment.Cureus. 2023:15(4):e38079. doi:10.7759/cureus.38079American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.De Quervain’s tenosynovitis.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.de Quervain’s tenosynovitis.Kaiser Permanente.De Quervain’s disease: exercises.Memorial Sloak Kettering Cancer Center.De Quervain’s tenosynovitis.American Academy of Family Physicians.De Quervain’s tenosynovitis.Kaiser Permanente.De Quervain’s tendon release: what to expect at home.Bae KJ, Baek GH, Lee Y, Lee J, Jo YG.Incidence and risk factors for pregnancy-related de quervain’s tenosynovitis in south korea: a population-based epidemiologic study.Clin Orthop Surg. 2023;15(1):145-152. doi:10.4055%2Fcios22099American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Advice from a certified hand therapist: joint protection.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Fakoya AO, Tarzian M, Sabater EL, Burgos DM, Maldonado Marty GI.De Quervain’s disease: a discourse on etiology, diagnosis, and treatment.Cureus. 2023:15(4):e38079. doi:10.7759/cureus.38079American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.De Quervain’s tenosynovitis.American Society for Surgery of the Hand.de Quervain’s tenosynovitis.Kaiser Permanente.De Quervain’s disease: exercises.Memorial Sloak Kettering Cancer Center.De Quervain’s tenosynovitis.American Academy of Family Physicians.De Quervain’s tenosynovitis.Kaiser Permanente.De Quervain’s tendon release: what to expect at home.Bae KJ, Baek GH, Lee Y, Lee J, Jo YG.Incidence and risk factors for pregnancy-related de quervain’s tenosynovitis in south korea: a population-based epidemiologic study.Clin Orthop Surg. 2023;15(1):145-152. doi:10.4055%2Fcios22099American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Advice from a certified hand therapist: joint protection.
Fakoya AO, Tarzian M, Sabater EL, Burgos DM, Maldonado Marty GI.De Quervain’s disease: a discourse on etiology, diagnosis, and treatment.Cureus. 2023:15(4):e38079. doi:10.7759/cureus.38079
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.De Quervain’s tenosynovitis.
American Society for Surgery of the Hand.de Quervain’s tenosynovitis.
Kaiser Permanente.De Quervain’s disease: exercises.
Memorial Sloak Kettering Cancer Center.De Quervain’s tenosynovitis.
American Academy of Family Physicians.De Quervain’s tenosynovitis.
Kaiser Permanente.De Quervain’s tendon release: what to expect at home.
Bae KJ, Baek GH, Lee Y, Lee J, Jo YG.Incidence and risk factors for pregnancy-related de quervain’s tenosynovitis in south korea: a population-based epidemiologic study.Clin Orthop Surg. 2023;15(1):145-152. doi:10.4055%2Fcios22099
American Society for Surgery of the Hand.Advice from a certified hand therapist: joint protection.
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