Overview

Definition

De Quervain tenosynovitis is an irritation of tendons that run from the wrist to the thumb. These tendons pass through a tunnel-like tissue, called a sheath, at the wrist. The tunnel area can cause additional pressure and irritation on thickened or swollen tendons, making normal movements painful.

De Quervain Tenosynovitis
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Causes

De Quervain is caused by pressure on already irritated tendons as they move through the sheath at the wrist. The irritation of the tendon may be caused by repetitive movements of the thumb and wrists or a direct blow to the area.

Risk Factors

De Quervain tenosynovitis is more common in women. Activities that may increase your chance of getting de Quervain tenosynovitis include:

  • Knitting and needlepoint
  • Lifting a baby or young child often
  • Bowling or wrestling
  • Jobs involving twisting of the wrist or driving of screws
  • Excessive gaming that involves small movements of the thumb or texting

SymptomsandDiagnosis

Symptoms

Symptoms may include:

  • Pain or tenderness at the base of the thumb
  • Pain when pinching
  • Swelling over the thumb side of the wrist
  • A snapping or catching sensation when moving the thumb
  • Numbness on the back of the thumb, spreading to the index finger

Diagnosis

You will be asked about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. You will be asked to move your fingers and wrists in different ways to help make the diagnosis. Your may be asked to make a fist with your thumb inside your fingers and bend your wrist toward your little finger. If this causes pain at the wrist below your thumb, you may have de Quervain tenosynovitis.

Treatments

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to relieve pain and help you regain function. Supportive care may include:

  • Restricting activities of the thumb and wrist
  • Ice therapy to help relieve swelling
  • A thumb splint to support and allow the wrist to rest
  • Medication such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

If supportive care is not helpful, then cortisone injections may be advised to reduce swelling. If injections are not helpful, then surgery may be advised to open the tunnel that the tendon passes through.

Prevention

To help reduce the chances of getting de Quervain:

  • Minimize repetitive thumb activity, or twisting and gripping activities
  • Reduce stress on your hands through ergonomic practices at work

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

Edits to original content made by Denver Health.

a (De Quervain Syndrome; De Quervain Disease; Washerwoman’s Sprain)

RESOURCES

American College of Sports Medicine http://acsm.org 

OrthoInfo—American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons http://orthoinfo.org 

CANADIAN RESOURCES

Canadian Orthopaedic Association http://www.coa-aco.org 

Canadian Physiotherapy Association http://www.physiotherapy.ca 

References

Best treatment for de Quervain's tenosynovitis uncertain. Am Fam Physician. 2003;68(3):536.

Corticosteroid injection for treatment of de Quervain's tenosynovitis: a pooled quantitative literature evaluation. J Am Board Fam Pract. 2003;16(2):102-106.

de Quervain syndrome. Merck Manual for Health Care Professionals website. Available at: http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/musculoskeletal%5Fand%5Fconnective%5Ftissue%5Fdisorders/hand%5Fdisorders/de%5Fquervain%5Fsyndrome.html. Updated November 2016. Accessed March 26, 2018.

de Quervian tendinitis (de Quervian tendinosis). Ortho Info—American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website. Available at: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00007. Updated December 2013. Accessed March 26, 2018.

De Quervain’s tenosynovitis. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at:  http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T115729/de-Quervain-tenosynovitis  . Updated April 28, 2017. Accessed March 26, 2018.

Johnson CA. Occurrence of de Quervain's disease in postpartum women—pain and tenderness in wrist. J Fam Pract. 1991 Mar;32(3):325-327.

4/30/2014 DynaMed Plus Systematic Literature Surveillance  http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T115729/de-Quervain-tenosynovitis  : Petit Le Manac'h A1, Roquelaure Y, Ha C, Bodin J, Meyer G. Risk factors for de Quervain's disease in a French working population. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2011 Sep;37(5):394-401.