deQuervain’s Tenosynovitis

Chattanooga, Tennessee

deQuervain’s tenosynovitis is a fairly common condition which causes pain at the wrist. Two tendons are affected by this condition - the abductor pollicis longus (APL) and the extensor pollicis brevis (EPB). These tendons run parallel between the forearm and the thumb and pass through a fibrous tunnel where the radius bone and wrist bones meet.Tenosynovitis occurs when the slippery lining of this tunnel becomes inflamed, causing friction against the tendons as they pass through. This friction typically causes the tendons to become inflamed as well.

Symptoms of deQuervain’s Tenosynovitis

Early symptoms of this condition include mild to moderate localized pain, swelling, and tenderness on the thumb side of the wrist. Gripping and pinching becomes painful. Left untreated, this pain may expand out from the wrist further into the thumb, up the forearm, and deeper into the wrist. In some cases, the friction may actually become audible, producing a squeaking sound when the thumb and wrist are in motion. 

Causes of deQuervain’s tenosynovitis

Like most cases of tendonitis and carpal or cubital tunnel syndromes, deQuervain’s Tenosynovitis is usually caused by excessive stress and pressure on the area, or injury. Repeated gripping, pinching, wringing, squeezing or any activity involving the thumb can result in inflammation and pain. Scar tissue from a previous wrist injury can impede the tendons’ smooth travel through this tunnel, as can arthritic disease such as rheumatoid arthritis. Some patients are born with a “split” tunnel, leaving less room for tendon gliding.

Treatment

Diagnosis of deQuervain’s Tenosynovitis is fairly simple and requires no extensive testing. If it is determined that you have this condition, your first step toward recovery is to stop doing the activities that are causing the symptoms. With early detection and treatment, this condition can be treated simply and without significant medical and rehabilitation costs. Splints, wrist braces, anti-inflammatory medication, and steroid injections may be all that is necessary.

For more extreme cases, or cases that are a direct result of injury or disease, surgery may be necessary. Exactly what your surgical process will involve depends on your unique situation.

If you live in the Chattanooga, Tennessee area and think you may be suffering from deQuervain’s tenosynovitis, please contact our hand surgeons the Hayes Hand Center today.