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DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment
DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis can make simple hand movements painful and frustrating. At Compass Pain and Wellness, we help you relieve thumb pain and restore smooth motion so you can comfortably grasp, pinch, and hold the things you love.
Overview
What Is DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis?
DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis is an inflammatory condition affecting the tendons on the thumb side of your wrist. Specifically, it involves the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis tendons as they pass through a narrow tunnel called the first dorsal compartment.
When these tendons become irritated or inflamed — often due to repetitive movements or overuse — they can cause pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the thumb and wrist. This condition is sometimes referred to as “washerwoman’s thumb” or “mommy thumb” because of its association with repetitive hand activities and childcare tasks (Kumar et al., 2019).
Expert Analysis
Understanding DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis: Signs and Symptoms
Common symptoms include:
- Pain and tenderness at the base of the thumb, especially over the wrist
- Swelling and sometimes a noticeable lump in the tendon area
- Pain that worsens with thumb movements such as grasping, pinching, or twisting
- Difficulty gripping objects or making a fist
A catching or snapping sensation during thumb movement (Kumar et al., 2019).
triggers
What Causes DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis?
Causes include:
- Repetitive hand or wrist movements: Typing, texting, gardening, or lifting children
- Overuse injuries: Especially in jobs or hobbies requiring repetitive gripping or twisting
- Inflammatory conditions: Such as rheumatoid arthritis can increase risk
- Hormonal changes: Often seen postpartum or in women during pregnancy (Kumar et al., 2019).
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What Happens if DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis Is Left Untreated?
Untreated, this condition can lead to:
- Chronic pain and swelling
- Decreased hand and thumb function
- Weak grip strength and difficulty performing daily tasks
- Tendon thickening and scarring, making movement more restricted (Kumar et al., 2019).
solutions
Our Comprehensive Approach to Treating DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis
DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis can be a persistent and painful condition that affects wrist and thumb movement, making everyday tasks difficult. Symptoms may interfere with mobility, work, hobbies, and even emotional well-being, making routine activities more challenging.
At Compass Pain and Wellness, the first treatment step will always be a detailed evaluation with your doctor to give you the answers you need. Next, our team will build a plan of care tailored to your specific pathology. This may involve advanced medical treatments as well as supportive therapies to address all aspects of your symptoms.
evaluation
How We Diagnose DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis
- Detailed patient history and activity review
- Physical examination including Finkelstein’s test — gently bending the thumb across the palm and bending the wrist toward the little finger, which typically reproduces pain
- Ultrasound imaging to assess tendon inflammation and rule out other causes of wrist pain (Kumar et al., 2019).
Conservative Treatment Approaches
Physical Therapy:
Exercises to stretch and strengthen wrist and thumb muscles, improving function and reducing strain.
Acupuncture:
Targeted needle therapy to reduce inflammation and pain.
Massage Therapy:
Soft tissue work to decrease swelling and improve blood flow.
Shockwave Therapy:
Promotes tendon healing by stimulating blood circulation and tissue regeneration.
Tecar Therapy:
Uses radiofrequency energy to accelerate tissue repair and reduce inflammation.
Chiropractic Care:
Gentle adjustments to improve wrist alignment and reduce mechanical stress on the tendons.
Splinting:
Immobilizes the thumb and wrist to allow inflamed tendons to rest and heal (Kumar et al., 2019).
Advanced Treatment Approaches
Corticosteroid Injections:
Deliver anti-inflammatory medication directly to the affected tendon sheath for rapid pain relief.
Surgical Release:
Reserved for severe or persistent cases where the tendon sheath is surgically opened to relieve pressure and allow smooth tendon gliding (Kumar et al., 2019).
Ready to Transform?
Ready to Free Your Thumb From Pain?
If you’re experiencing persistent thumb or wrist pain, don’t wait to get help. At Compass Pain and Wellness, our multidisciplinary team is here to restore your hand function and get you back to the activities you love. Contact us today to schedule your evaluation.
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