What is De Quervain's Tenosynovitis?

By Cristiano Antonino Last updated Jun 20, 2023

De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is an inflammatory process affecting the synovial sheath of the thumb tendons

The disease is characterized by the narrowing of the synovium and occurs in the area where the tendons pass over a bony protrusion called the radius styloid.

The increased volume inside the digital canal causes an inflammatory process that causes a very painful friction during tendon sliding.

The pathology is also called “mothers and grandmothers disease” because movement causes tension in the long abductor and short extensor.

The gesture is what is typically done when children are lifted.

The pain is localized in the wrist area and increases with forced extension or flexion of the thumb.

De Quervain’s tenosynovitis: what is it?

De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is a disease that affects the tendons of the thumb.

The inflammation is particularly painful and can cause some functional limitations of the hand, especially if the patient performs certain activities.

The disease originates from repeated microtraumas over time, often linked to particular professions.

The subjects most affected, in fact, are embroiderers, musicians and video terminal workers.

The main symptom is pain that occurs when gripping with the thumbs and tilting the wrist. In some cases, swelling may also appear, accompanied by tendinosis.

The narrowness of the canal leads to inflammation and progressive wear of the tendons.

Symptoms

De Quervain’s tenosynovitis presents symptoms that appear progressively, with the aggravation of the inflammatory process.

The first sign of the disease is persistent pain affecting the outer area of the wrist and the base of the thumb.

The symptom increases when you grab an object or make movements that involve this area.

Often, a swelling also appears that affects the course of the tendons and appears compact and painful to pressure.

People with De Quervain’s tenosynovitis also have a painful bump in the area of the fibrous canal.

If the disease is not treated immediately or if treatment is ignored, the pain can increase, spreading from the thumb to the forearm.

De Quervain’s tenosynovitis can be caused by a number of factors

Often an important role is played by the individual predisposition, but also by the profession.

The pathology is linked to repetitive activities with a continuous flexion-extension movement of the thumb.

For example, sewing, playing an instrument or using the mouse or computer keyboard.

Other causes of the disease are rheumatic diseases and sudden functional overloads.

De Quervain’s tenosynovitis: the diagnosis

De Quervain’s tenosynovitis can be diagnosed with a visit to the specialist.

In fact, it presents quite evident symptoms with the area corresponding to the first canal of the carpus painful to pressure and swollen.

The disease can be diagnosed with certainty with the Finkelstein test.

The examination allows to evaluate the degree of pain felt by the patient.

The maneuver involves closing the hand into a fist, locking the fingers around the thumb and flexing the wrist in the direction of the little finger.

Sufferers of De Quervain’s tenosynovitis have difficulty making certain movements of the thumb because the pain is more acute when the wrist is tilted.

Ultrasound allows you to highlight the inflammation of the tendons with precision and their relationship with the walls of the synovial sheath.