De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is a painful condition that develops from irritation or swelling of the tendons along the wrist’s thumb. This irritation causes the lining around the tendon to swell, changing the lining’s shape and making the movement of the tendons difficult.
The swelling can cause pain and tenderness along the wrist’s thumb side, usually noticed when forming a fist, grasping items, or turning the wrist. It is also known as de Quervain’s tendinosis or de Quervain’s tendinitis.
Tendons are bands of tissue that attach muscles to bones. Usually, tendons slide easily through a tunnel of tissue called a sheath. The sheath keeps the tendons in place next to the bones of the thumb. Tendons that easily slide through their sheaths allow the thumb to move without difficulty or pain.
Any swelling of the tendons and/or thickening of the sheaths causes friction. The tendons can no longer easily slide through their sheaths. Some thumb and wrist motions become more challenging when this happens, and any movements cause pain. The pain may extend from the forearm to the thumb base.
Although the exact cause of de Quervain’s tenosynovitis isn’t known, any activity that relies on repetitive hand or wrist movement — such as yard work, golfing, tennis, or lifting a child — can make it worse.
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis Symptoms
Common symptoms for de Quervain’s tenosynovitis include:
- Pain on the back of your thumb when you make a fist, grab something, or turn your wrist.
- Numbness in the thumb and index finger.
- Swelling of the wrist.
- Stiffness when moving your thumb or wrist.
- Popping of the wrist tendons.
- Difficulty pinching things with your thumb.