According to the Mayo Clinic, “the main symptoms of DeQuervain's tenosynovitis include:
- Pain or swelling near the base of the thumb
- Numbness in the back of the thumb and index finger
- A fluid-filled cyst near the swelling and pain
- Difficulty moving the thumb and wrist when grasping or pinching
- A "sticking" or "stop-and-go" sensation in the thumb
- A squeaking sound
The bottom line is if you don’t get treatment quickly, the pain can get worse and even spread to the thumb and forearm.
Causes
The Mayo Clinic reports that “when you grip, grasp, clench, pinch or wring anything in your hand you use two major tendons in your wrist and lower thumb. These tendons run side by side from your forearm through the thumb side of your wrist. They normally glide unhampered through the small tunnel that connects them to the base of the thumb. In De Quervain's tenosynovitis, the tendons’ slippery covering becomes inflamed, restricting movement of the tendons.” The causes of DeQuervain’s tenosynovitis are many and include overuse of the wrist when gardening, playing music, sewing or knitting or typing. Other causes include direct injury to the wrist or tendon, scar tissue from a previous injury or arthritis.
Tests & Diagnosis
One of the fastest ways to confirm DeQuervain’s tenosynovitis is with the Finklestein test. The Hand University in Denver, Colorado reports that you “can do this test yourself. Bend your thumb into the palm and grasp the thumb with your fingers making a fist with the thumb inside. Now bend your wrist away from your thumb in a side to side motion. If you feel pain over the tendons to the thumb, your problem may be DeQuervain's tenosynovitis.”
Treatment
Treatment for DeQuervain's tenosynovitis ranges from immobilizing the wrist and taking medications to surgery. If treatment is started early on, the symptoms should generally improve within four to six weeks. If the condition is ignored, treatment and recovery will probably take longer. Treatment involves reducing the pain and swelling by utilizing a number of options, including:
- Immobilize the wrist with a splint or brace
- Avoiding repetitive movements with the thumb whenever possible
- Avoiding pinching with the thumb
- Applying heat or ice to the affected area
- Using over-the-counter nonsteroidal drugs, such as ibuprofen
Overuse injuries often recur if you have difficulty discontinuing the repetitive motions that caused the condition in the first place. If the condition doesn’t improve in around six to eight weeks, surgery or physical therapy may help the condition.
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