Dr. Carlos Rebollón
De Quervain's Tenosynovitis - Diagnosis and Treatments
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De Quervain's Tenosynovitis
De Quervain's Tenosynovitis
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is characterized by limited mobility of the hand and thumb. In the following paragraphs, we will describe what it is, its symptoms and causes, how it is diagnosed, and what the treatment involves.
At Dr. Rebollón’s office, you will receive specialized attention to effectively treat your case of De Quervain’s tenosynovitis and regain your quality of life.
WHAT IS DE QUERVAIN'S TENOSYNOVITIS?
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, also known as De Quervain’s disease, is a painful condition that causes inflammation of the tendons in the wrist. These tendons help connect the muscles to the bones, allowing the wrist and thumb to move for grasping objects with the hand.
Individuals with De Quervain’s tenosynovitis experience restrictions in moving the thumb away from the rest of the fingers, making it difficult to perform common tasks that involve gripping objects or making a fist.
SYMPTOMS OF DE QUERVAIN'S TENOSYNOVITIS
The symptoms that can identify De Quervain’s tenosynovitis include:
Pain in the wrist near the base of the thumb.
Wrist pain that extends to the forearm or thumb.
Swelling, redness, or warmth in the wrist.
Bump or cyst between the base of the thumb and the wrist.
Difficulty opening and closing the hand, as well as rotating the wrist.
DIAGNOSIS OF DE QUERVAIN'S TENOSYNOVITIS
The specialist can determine if you have De Quervain’s tenosynovitis through a physical examination, where they will evaluate your symptoms by moving the wrist, thumb, and hand. In most cases, a wrist X-ray is not necessary to confirm the diagnosis. Orthopedic Surgeon in Panama
CAUSES OF DE QUERVAIN'S TENOSYNOVITIS
This condition can originate from multiple reasons, mostly related to excessive use of the wrist during activities such as:
Wringing out wet clothes.
Using hammers and other tools. Knitting.
Knitting.
Regularly lifting heavy objects (grocery bags, water jugs, etc.).
Engaging in racket sports.
Previous health problems such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, direct injuries to the hands and wrists, as well as fluid retention during pregnancy, can contribute to the development of tenosynovitis.
DE QUERVAIN'S TENOSYNOVITIS - RISK FACTORS
The risk factors associated with De Quervain’s tenosynovitis include:
Age: The majority of patients with this disorder are between 30 and 50 years old.
Gender: Tenosynovitis is more common in women than in men.
Pregnancy: As mentioned earlier, pregnant women are more prone to developing this type of condition.
Activities involving hand and wrist movements or exertion (work, hobbies, baby care, among others).
TREATMENTS FOR DE QUERVAIN'S TENOSYNOVITIS
Treatments focus on reducing tendon inflammation, restoring full thumb mobility, and preventing the condition from recurring. To achieve this, the doctor may recommend conservative treatment options, including:
Medications
Primarily analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs to alleviate pain and swelling. Corticosteroid injections into the tendon sheath lining are effective in achieving complete patient recovery.
Therapies
In the treatment of tenosynovitis, measures such as thumb and wrist immobilization, application of ice to reduce inflammation, and the support of a physiotherapist who can explain to the patient how to use their wrists, how to avoid excessive tension, and what exercises to practice to strengthen the muscles and tendons in this part of the body can be employed.
Surgery
In severe cases that do not improve with initial treatment, surgery can be considered as a last resort. During the procedure, the surgeon visualizes the tendon sheaths of the affected tendons and proceeds to cut them to release the contained pressure. Although this is an outpatient surgery, the patient will need to undergo a period of rehabilitation and physiotherapy to regain normal function.
DE QUERVAIN'S TENOSYNOVITIS - REHABILITATION
When De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is diagnosed and treated early, symptoms should disappear within a period of 4 to 6 weeks. If the patient underwent surgery, the recovery period is longer due to post-surgical recovery time, exercises, and therapies that need to be received. In this regard, it may take months before you can feel complete improvement in your wrist after surgery.
