De Quervain’s disease gets its name from the Swiss physician, Dr. Fritz de Quervain, who first described it as tenosynovitis. Although this condition is not life-threatening, it can significantly impact everyday life if left untreated.
Learn about the symptoms, causes, and a few treatment options in the guide below by our certified hand therapists!
Causes Of De Quervain’s
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, also known as an arcade-gaming thumb, is caused by inflammation of the tendons connecting the thumb to the wrist. Two major types of de Quervain’s disease are primary and secondary.
Primary de Quervain’s is caused by repetitive use, such as typing or playing the violin, over a long period. Repetitive movements can pressure these tendons and cause microscopic tears that lead to swelling and irritation.
Secondary de Quervain’s is not related to any specific activity but may occur suddenly. Secondary cases may be due to an underlying medical issue such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout.
One way you can tell if you have this condition is by feeling tenderness and swelling in the area where the thumb attaches to your hand, known as the thenar eminence.
Symptoms Of De Quervain’s
The symptoms of de Quervain’s disease are:
- Pain in the hand
- Stiffness and weakness in your grip
- Tenderness around the base of your thumb
- Pain extending up your arm (usually from ulnar nerve compression)
- Difficulty gripping objects firmly with your fingers
- Feeling like you have pins and needles in your palm
Treatments For De Quervain’s
There are a few treatment options such as resting your hand, over-the-counter anti-inflammatories, and custom hand splints. Surgery may also be necessary if you have persistent symptoms that don’t respond to these treatments.
Another option for relief from pain would be corticosteroid injections, which should only be performed by a certified hand therapist. Your hand therapist will determine what is best for you based on factors like age and severity of the condition.
Get In Touch With Our Certified Hand Therapists In Freehold, Nj
At Able Hands Rehabilitation, our CHTs offer to help you manage pain through different techniques, including cryo massage therapy, trigger finger therapy, hand injury treatment, and occupational therapy, among others.
We offer a customized plan to our patients according to their individual needs.
Our certified hand therapists will help you regain and retain the range of motion in your hand after an injury.
Contact us to learn more about the treatments we offer.
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