What is De Quervain’s tenosynovitis?
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, a type of wrist tendonitis, is an inflammation of the wrist tendons at the base of the thumb.
The inflammation causes the tunnel around the tendons to swell, making thumb and wrist movements — such as turning a doorknob — very painful. The orthopedic condition is sometimes called “mommy wrist,” as it’s commonly diagnosed in caregivers of young children and those nursing infants; however, De Quervain’s tenosynovitis can affect anyone.
In most cases, nonsurgical hand treatments, such as wearing a splint and taking anti-inflammatory medication, can provide relief of symptoms. The hand experts at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio, can help diagnose if your condition is De Quervain’s tenosynovitis and offer the best treatment plan for you. We have outpatient care offices throughout central Ohio, with appointments available almost always within a week.
What causes De Quervain’s tenosynovitis?
This condition often happens because of new, repeated activities using the hand. New mothers are often at risk for this tendonitis because of changes in hormones during pregnancy and cradling and nursing the new baby.
People who have had a broken wrist or who have inflammatory arthritis may also be at risk.
Symptoms of De Quervain’s tenosynovitis
If you have this condition, you may experience pain holding objects, making a fist or grabbing things.
Specifically, you may feel:
- Pain at the base of the thumb that will travel into the wrist or lower arm
- Intense pain when grabbing, pinching or twisting your wrist
- Swelling and tenderness in the wrist or thumb area
- Numbness on the back of the thumb and index finger
- Popping sensation in your wrist
- Fluid-filled bump on the thumb side of your wrist
How is De Quervain’s tenosynovitis diagnosed?
Your doctor will examine your hand and ask about your symptoms. Specifically, your doctor will see if you have pain when pressure is applied to the thumb side of your wrist.
You may be asked to make a fist, wrapping your fingers over your thumb, then bending your wrist toward your little finger. This will cause pain if you have De Quervain’s tenosynovitis.
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis treatment
Many people who have De Quervain’s tenosynovitis can recover without needing surgery. At the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, our hand experts will always aim for the least invasive treatment options, to give you the best result.
Nonsurgical treatments
Your doctor may recommend one or more of the following nonsurgical treatment options:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Splinting (such as with a thumb spica splint)
- Steroid injections
- Ice and rest
- Changing your hands-on activities to decrease painful movements
- Hand therapy, which can include ultrasound and iontophoresis (a medical device that delivers mild electrical currents).
De Quervain’s surgery
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis may resolve on its own, but it can be very unpredictable. If symptoms have been present for longer than 10 months, then it is less likely for symptoms, such as pain and swelling, to resolve without surgery.
If you choose to have surgery, it is an elective procedure and is dependent on your pain and preference.
The surgery is done at the office of one of our outpatient care locations throughout central Ohio. You’ll go home the same day. You can drive after surgery as long as you feel confident and comfortable and are not taking any narcotic pain medication.
Most people who have the surgery recover fully in four to eight weeks, with a success rate between 95 and 100%.
Why choose Ohio State for De Quervain’s treatment?
The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center hand specialists are board-certified hand surgeons offering expert care. While treating you conservatively is our first goal, we can offer you surgical treatment to best resolve your symptoms and improve the quality of your daily life.
