Repetitive hand or wrist movements can make the condition worse.
The main symptoms are pain and tenderness in the wrist, often below the base of the thumb.
Treatment may include medication, physical therapy, or in rare cases surgery. Treatment is generally successful when begun early.
Common
More than 200,000 US cases per year
Treatable by a medical professional
Requires a medical diagnosis
Lab tests or imaging not required
More common in females
Medium-term: resolves within months
Common for ages 35-50
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis (dih-kwer-VAINS ten-oh-sine-oh-VIE-tis) is a painful condition affecting the tendons on the thumb side of your wrist. If you have de Quervain’s tenosynovitis, it will probably hurt when you turn your wrist, grasp anything or make a fist.
- Pain near the base of the thumb
- Swelling near the base of the thumb
- Difficulty in moving your thumb and wrist when you are doing something that involves grasping or pinching
- A “sticking” or “stop-and-go” sensation in your thumb when moving it
- Chronic overuse of the wrist
- Direct injury to wrist or tendons on the wrist side
- Inflammatory arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis
- Avoid repetitive movements of the wrist.
- Take breaks in between work if it involves excessive movement of wrist so as to reduce the stress on the tendons
- Wear a brace or a splint during heavy activity which involves the wrists
- Long-term wrist damage
Diagnosis involves physical examination and a simple test.
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