De-Quervain Tenosynovitis




De-Quervain’s Tenosynovitis is a painful condition affecting the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist. If someone has De-Quervain’s Tenosynovitis, it will probably hurt every time you turn your wrist, grasp anything or make a fist.

Although the exact cause of de Quervain’s Tenosynovitis isn’t known, any activity that relies on repetitive hand or wrist movement such as working in the garden, playing golf or racket sports, typing on a keyboard or lifting your baby, can make it worse.


Symptoms of De-Quervain’s Tenosynovitis

Pain near the base of the thumb: swelling near the base of the thumb, difficulty moving the thumb and wrist when you’re doing activities that involve grasping or pinching, a “sticking” or “stop-and-go” sensation in your thumb when trying to move it.

If the condition goes too long without treatment, the pain may spread farther into the thumb, back into the forearm or both. Pinching, grasping and other movement of the thumb and wrist aggravate the pain.

Causes of De-Quervain’s Tenosynovitis

Chronic overuse of the wrist is commonly associated with de Quervain’s Tenosynovitis. When you grip, grasp, clench, pinch or wrist anything in your hand, you use two major tendon in your wrist and lower thumb. These tendons normally  glide unhampered through the small tunnel that connects them to the base of the thumb. If you repeat a particular motion  day after day, it may irritate the sheath around the two tendons, causing thickening that restricts the movement of the tendons.

Other causes include direct injury to your wrist or tendon; scar tissue can restrict movement of the tendons inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Risk factors 

People between the ages of 30 and 50 have a higher risk of developing de Quervain’s Tenosynovitis than those in other age groups. The condition is more common in women than in men, and it may be associated with pregnancy. Baby care which involves using your thumbs as leverage to lift your child hundreds of times a day, may also be associated with the condition.

Jobs or hobbies that involve repetitive hand and wrist motions may contribute to it as well.

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