Treatment for de Quervain's tenosynovitis focuses on reducing pain and swelling. It includes: Applying heat or ice to the affected area. Taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).
Recovery. If you didn't need surgery, you'll probably get better in 4-6 weeks if you wear your splint, do your exercises, and avoid movements that irritate your tendon. Recovery from surgery could take a while. Your pain and swelling should go away soon, but the area may be tender for several months.
De Quervain's tenosynovitis is a temporary condition. It generally responds well to treatment. It is important to treat de Quervain's tenosynovitis. If this condition isn't treated, it can permanently limit your movement or cause the tendon sheath to burst.
Initial treatment of de Quervain's tenosynovitis may include:
1. Immobilizing your thumb and wrist, keeping them straight with a splint or brace to help rest your tendons.
2. Avoiding repetitive thumb movements as much as possible.
3. Avoiding pinching with your thumb when moving your wrist from side to side.
Tendonitis Complications :
If left untreated, tendonitis may become chronic. ... Untreated tendonitis can also lead to weakening of the tendon (tendonosis or tendinopathy), rupture of the tendon, and permanent damage to the affected tissues.
Most cases of De Quervain's tenosynovitis can be treated without surgery. Typically, symptoms should start to improve after 4 to 6 weeks of treatment.
Can De Quervain's tenosynovitis come back after surgery?
Recurrence of symptoms of de Quervain's disease after surgical treatment has been reported. ... If repeat cortisone injections do not relieve symptoms, careful surgical re-exploration may allow a previously overlooked tendon to be released.
Can De Quervain's tenosynovitis be caused by trauma?
Chronic overuse of your wrist is commonly associated with de Quervain's tenosynovitis. ... Other causes of de Quervain's tenosynovitis include: Direct injury to your wrist or tendon; scar tissue can restrict movement of the tendons. Inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis
Anyone can get de Quervain's tenosynovitis. But these things make it more likely :
. Age. Adults between 30 and 50 are most likely to get it.
. Gender. Women are 8 to 10 times more likely to get it than men.
. Motherhood. It often happens just after pregnancy. Lifting your little bundle of joy repeatedly might bring it on.
. Motions. You can get the condition if you move your wrist over and over again, whether it's for fun or for work.
If you have de Quervain's, you'll probably notice :
. Pain along the back of your thumb, directly over the two tendons.
. Swelling and pain at the base of your thumb
. Swelling and pain on the side of your wrist
The condition can happen gradually or start suddenly. In either case, the pain may travel into your thumb or up your forearm.
It may be hard and painful to move your thumb, particularly when you try to pinch or grasp things. The pain may get worse when you move your thumb or wrist.Symptoms are pain at the radial side of the wrist, spasms, tenderness, occasional burning sensation in the hand, and swelling over the thumb side of the wrist, and difficulty gripping with the affected side of the hand. The onset is often gradual.[2] Pain is made worse by movement of the thumb and wrist, and may radiate to the thumb or the forearm.[2]
Young people using their smartphones with their thumbs.
The cause of de Quervain's disease is not established. Evidence regarding a possible relation with occupational risk factors is debated.[6][7] A systematic review of potential risk factors discussed in the literature did not find any evidence of a causal relationship with occupational factors.[8] However, researchers found personal and work-related factors were associated with de Quervain's disease in the working population; wrist bending and movements associated with the twisting or driving of screws were the most significant of the work-related factors.[9] Proponents of the view that De Quervain syndrome is a repetitive strain injury[10] consider postures where the thumb is held in abduction and extension to be predisposing factors.[6] Workers who perform rapid repetitive activities involving pinching, grasping, pulling or pushing have been considered at increased risk.[7] Specific activities that have been postulated as potential risk factors include intensive computer mouse use, trackball use,[6] and typing, as well as some pastimes, including bowling, golf, fly-fishing, piano-playing, sewing, and knitting.[7]
Women are affected more often than men.[7] The syndrome commonly occurs during and after pregnancy.[11] Contributory factors may include hormonal changes, fluid retention and-more debatably-lifting.