Orthopedics
De Quervain tenosynovitis primarly affects the tendons of the wrist(Thumb side). Any activity involving the wrist such as repetitive hand or wrist movement such as playing golf or lifting a baby can make pain at the wrist worse.
Chronic overuse, is the most common cause of teno synovitis caused by repeating a particular hand motion. If the covering becomes irritated, the tendons can get thickened and swell. This thickening and swelling may restrict the movement of the tendons and cause pain on the thumb side of wrist .
Other causes include -
Risk factors for de Quervain tenosynovitis include:
Symptoms of de Quervain tenosynovitis include:
For accurately diagnosisng tenosynovitis, your orthopedician will examine your hand and wrist to see if you feel any pain when pressure is applied on the thumb side of the wrist and severity of the pain.
Finkelstein test - this is used by orthopedicians in which they will ask you to bend your thumb across the palm of your hand and then bend rest of your fingers down over your thumb. If this movement causes pain on the thumb side of your wrist, you are likely have de Quervain tenosynovitis and needs treatment.
Imaging tests, such as X-rays, are rarely needed to diagnose de Quervain tenosynovitis.
De Quervain tenosynovitis treatment is primarily aimed at -
To reduce pain and swelling, your doctor may recommend pain relievers over the counter which can give immediate relief.
Sometiems your orthopedician may also recommend injections of steroid into the tendon covering to reduce pain and swelling. This injection usually resolves pain immediately.
Primary treatment of de Quervain tenosynovitis includes:
You may also see a physiotherapist who teachs you exercises for your wrist, hand and arm. These exercises strengthen your hand muscles, reduce pain at affected site and limit tendon irritation.
Surgery may be recommended for serious case and is a day care procedure .
In the surgical procedure, the surgeon releases the pressure by cutting open the tendon sheath which almost gives cure and patient is advised to stay in hospital for observation for about 2-4 hours and then discharged with medications.
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is one of the most common forms of tenosynovitis which affects around 1% of people every year.
Most people need to wear a splint or brace for a few weeks. Don’t resume physical activities before your surgeon says OK, even if you start feeling better. If you put too much pressure on your tendons before they’ve healed, you’re more likely to re-injure them.
It usually takes a few weeks for your tendons to heal after you’re diagnosed with de Quervain’s tenosynovitis. How long you’ll need depends on what caused the inflammation and how severe your symptoms are.
It’s rare, but some people with untreated de Quervain’s tenosynovitis can permanently lose some function or range of motion (how far you can move a part of your body) in their thumb and wrist.
Most people recover in four to six weeks.
Your symptoms should gradually decrease as you start your treatments.If you have an infection, you should start to feel better after starting antibiotics. Make sure you take the full dose for as long as your provider prescribes, even if you feel better.
Tenosynovitis and tendinitis are both conditions that affect your tendons. Both issues are caused by inflammation. The most important difference is what is inflamed. Tenosynovitis happens when the synovial membrane that encases your tendons is inflamed. This is also known as synovitis.Tendinitis is inflammation in the tendon itself. Tendinitis can be either acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term).
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