De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is an inflammation of the tendons on the side of your wrist that straighten and pull the thumb back. Latest research indicates that it is associated with tendon degeneration and microtrauma of the tendons.
Repetitive movement, excessive and accumulative strain of the thumb and wrist is commonly the cause of De Quervain’s. It can also be the result of an acute injury.
Typical symptoms include pain with thumb and/or wrist movement, swelling over the affected area and difficulty with functional use. Recent or expectant mothers and individuals who have job requirements of a particularly repetitive nature are most at risk of developing De Quervain’s tenosynovitis. For this reason, De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, may also be called ‘mum thumb’ or ‘washer woman’s wrist’.
In mild to moderate cases of De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, hand therapy can be very effective. Therapy usually involves a combination of splinting to rest the tendons, soft tissue treatment to assist with pain management, activity modification and once symptoms have subsided- a graded strengthening program.
Early treatment is important to relieve symptoms and prevent the condition from becoming chronic or more severe.
