Understanding Tendinopathies: De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
I hope you enjoyed our last post on PEACE & LOVE for acute injuries. Today, we will shift our attention back to tendinopathies of the upper body, starting with the wrist. In today’s blog post, we will focus on De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis, which is associated with a pair of tendons responsible for thumb movement.
What Is Tenosynovitis?
Many tendons in the body, especially in the hands and wrists, have sheaths around them. These sheaths help protect the tendon from friction while also lubricating it with fluid for easier movement. Therefore, tenosynovitis is the inflammation of the tendon sheath – the protective covering that surrounds the tendon. When the sheath becomes inflamed, it can thicken, fill with excess fluid, and cause restricted gliding of the tendon.
What Is De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis?
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is the inflammation of a pair of tendons that are responsible for thumb movement, the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis tendons. These tendons run through a narrow tunnel near the base of the thumb, and when they become irritated or inflamed, movement of the thumb and wrist becomes painful and restricted.
What Causes It?
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, like many tendinopathies, is often caused by repetitive movements of the hand or wrist. Common mechanisms of injury that I have seen in practice are:
- Lifting a baby repeatedly (“Mother’s thumb”)
- Typing or texting frequently
- Playing certain sports (e.g., tennis, golf)
- Workplace tasks that involve repeated gripping or twisting motions
Common Signs and Symptoms of De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis include:
- Pain and tenderness at the base of the thumb, increasing with activities that involve wrist and thumb movement
- Swelling near the wrist
- Difficulty moving the thumb and wrist when grasping or pinching
- A “sticking” or “snapping” sensation in the thumb when moving it
Treatment Of De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
Like many tendinopathies, the treatment doesn’t differ much when it comes to De Quervain’s. It is essential to rest the area and modify aggravating activities to allow the tendons to heal. Using ergonomic tools and proper hand positions, while being mindful of wrist posture with lifting and typing, is also important. Taking breaks during repetitive tasks and/or splinting the thumb with a brace or tape can help reduce excessive movements of the thumb to allow proper recovery.
Of course, physiotherapy can aid the recovery of De Quervain’s tenosynovitis by teaching the individual proper exercises to restore function and prevent recurrence.
Conclusion:
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is a painful condition of the wrist/thumb, and it can sometimes be tricky to navigate the best course of action to take for recovery. If you have wrist pain or have questions about tendinopathies, consult with one of the physiotherapists at Kamloops Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Centre. We can correctly identify the root cause of your problem and help you begin your journey to recovery.
This blog post was written by physiotherapist Jacob Coelho. To book an appointment with Jacob or one of our other experienced therapists, call 250-314-0788 or book online HERE.