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What is De Quervains Disease?
De Quervains disease is a painful inflammation of specific tendons that extend the thumb. The swollen tendons and their coverings rub against the narrow tunnel through which they pass.It is also known as BlackBerry thumb, gamers thumb, washerwoman’s sprain, radial styloid tenosynovitis, de Quervain syndrome, de Quervain’s tenosynovitis, de Quervain’s stenosing tenosynovitis, mothers wrist, or mommy thumb.
Recovery Time
Symptoms often get better in a few (4-6 weeks) with proper treatment. In some cases surgery may be recommended.Diagnosis
Diagnosis is done by Physical examination and Finkelstein test.FAQs prepared by doctor
Q1. What is de Quervain’s disease?De Quervains disease is a painful inflammation of specific tendons that extend the thumb. The swollen tendons and their coverings rub against the narrow tunnel through which they pass.
It is also known as BlackBerry thumb, gamers thumb, washerwoman’s sprain, radial styloid tenosynovitis, de Quervain syndrome, de Quervains tenosynovitis, de Quervains stenosing tenosynovitis, mothers wrist, or mommy thumb.
Q2. What are its symptoms?
Patient experiences acute pain or tenderness at the base of the thumb. As a result activity related to thumb like pinching is painful. There is swelling over the thumb side of the wrist. A snapping or catching sensation will happen when moving the thumb. There is numbness on the back of the thumb, spreading to the index finger. If the condition goes too long without treatment, the pain may spread farther into your thumb, back into your forearm or both.
Q3. What to do when one is suffering from de Quervain’s disease?
One should give rest to hand. Using an ice pack for 15-20 minutes at a time and using a thumb splint to reduce pain and swelling to allow the wrist to rest are ways to reduce the pain.
Q4. When shall one consult a doctor?
When the pain is not improving or becomes worse and your wrist becomes more stiff or when there is increasing numbness or tingling in the wrist and fingers or if they turn white or blue, then one shall call doctor immediately.
Q5. How is this condition prevented?
One should avoid excessive movements such as hand and wrist twisting, pinching and forceful gripping.
If you are a new mother, during activities such as lifting the baby, the baby carrier or the baby bottle, avoid placing your thumb and index finger in the L shaped position. If the symptoms start, avoid or limit the activity that aggravates your pain. Apply a cold pack for 5-15 minutes frequently through the day.