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De Quervain's Tendosynovitis

Ryan Evans
Mar 23, 2023
1 min read

This condition is a tendosynovitis where the tendon sheaths that surround Abductor Pollicis Longus (APL) and Extensor Pollicis Brevis (EPB) are inflamed and irritated.


Risk Factors

  • Ages 30-50

  • Women

  • Pregnancy

  • Lifting a child


Repetitive movements

  • Symptoms

  • Pain near base of thumb.

  • Swelling near base of thumb.

  • Difficulty moving thumb/wrist.

  • Catching/sticking sensation when moving thumb.


Treatment

  • 23-hour wrist/thumb splint

  • Exercise

  • Steroid injection


Differential Diagnosis

  • Inflammatory Conditions e.g. rheumatoid arthritis

  • Carpal Tunnel

  • Gout

  • OA

  • Fracture




1. NHS Ayrshire & Arran. (2019), De Quervains Tenosynovitis (MSK). Available from: https://www.nhsaaa.net/musculoskeletal-service-msk/wrist-hand-thumb-osteoarthritis/de-quervains-tenosynovitis-msk/. [Accessed March, 2023.]

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