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De Quervain Tenosynovitis

Lee A Mancini, CSCS*D, CSN, CAQSM, MD, Nicholas R Martin, MD and Michael J Maddaleni, CAQSM, MD Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • First identified in 1895 by Fritz De Quervain, de Quervain tenosynovitis is a painful condition due to stenosis of the tendon sheath in the 1st dorsal compartment of the radial aspec...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Repetitive motion activity; overuse of wrist or thumb

  • Gradually worsening pain along the radial aspect of the thumb and wrist with certain movements, particularly ulnar deviation of th...

TREATMENT

  • Most cases of de Quervain tenosynovitis are self-limited.

  • Rest and NSAIDs (3)[A]

  • Ice (15 to 20 minutes 5 to 6 times a day)

  • Immobilization with a thumb spica splint (3)[A]

  • Occupational therapy

  • A...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Additional corticosteroid injection may be performed at 4 to 6 weeks if symptoms persist. Caution with repeat steroid injections.

  • Avoid repetitive motions and acti...

REFERENCES

1
Wolf  JM, Sturdivant  RX, Owens  BD. Incidence of de Quervain’s tenosynovitis in a young, active population. J Hand Surg Am.  2009; 34(1): 112– 115.  [View Abs...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Ali  M, Asim  M, Danish  SH, et al. Frequency of de Quervain’s tenosynovitis and its association with SMS texting. Muscles Ligaments Tendons J.  2014...

SEE ALSO

Algorithm: Pain in Upper Extremity 

CODES

ICD10

M65.4 Radial styloid tenosynovitis [de Quervain] 

SNOMED

21794005 Radial styloid tenosynovitis 

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Repetitive movements of the wrist and thumb, and activities that require forceful grasping, are the most common causes of de Quervain tenosynovitis.

  • Anatomic variations of the 1st dorsa...

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