De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
Wrist pain with difficulty in gripping objects and daily activities become agonizing and it has various names as well. Once known as ‘mother’s wrist’ or ‘washer woman’s sprain’. In the modern world, texting and typing on small hand held devices, has hit the world like an epidemic, leading to increase in this condition and it is now called ‘Blackberry thumb’.
Medically it is known as ‘De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis’, it is not as difficult to spot as it is to pronounce. You are more at risk if;
· You are a woman between 40-50 years of age.
· Your occupation or regular tasks require repetitive hand and wrist motion.
· You have had wrist injury.
· You are pregnant.
· You have arthritis or diabetes.
Tenosynovitis is an inflammatory condition of the sheath covering the tendons. These lining give protection to the tendons and also produce a fluid which act as a lubricant for tendon gliding. When there is abusive use of the tendon the fluid formation gets affected and it causes increase in friction between sheath and the tendons. This causes thickening of the sheath and constrict or irritate the tendon, hence the smooth gliding of the tendon is hampered.
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is the name of a painful condition in which tendons of thumb are involved, producing pain and tenderness at the base of the thumb or wrist, especially while making a fist, or in grabbing objects or when wrist is twisted.
The symptoms in this condition are quite typical
· Pain; initially only soreness is felt, later pain which can be like smarting, comes on when the thumb or wrist are moved and it may start spreading into the forearm.
· Swelling; in some cases swelling and redness can be observed on the wrist joint near the thumb base. At times fluid filled sac is also present here.
· Stiffness; thumb and wrist joint feel stiff on movement.
· Numbness; in the thumb and index finger due to the swelling, nerve is compressed and thumb feels numb or have tingling sensation.
Although this condition is said to be idiopathic (unknown cause), but simple strains on the tendons of thumb by mere lifting of babies, car seats, heavy bags or pots, or even constant texting on phones often become the reason. De Quervain’s tenosynovitis can turn ugly if left untreated by range restriction in motion. It is commonly seen in sports men, musicians, craftsmen, gardeners, etc
At Walk-In Chiropractic Our chiropractor take a complete history, physical examination and a simple test is done called the Finkelstein test. It is so simple that you can do it yourself even. Make a fist with thumb under your fingers, now bent your fist towards your little finger side if you feel pain in the wrist under the thumb than sign is positive and you may have De Quervain’s condition.
Finkelstein Test
The routine treatment for De Quervain’s tenosynovitis or the blackberry thumb is, to rest the thumb and wrist, splints may be used or movement of the joints is to be avoided as much as possible. Steroid may be injected into the tendon sheath to reduce swelling and pain. Chiropractic therapy is advised. Surgery may be required in obstinate cases. If the cause is pregnancy than the end of pregnancy or end of breast feeding heals it.
Houston! Dr Naghavi has been treating many incapacitating hand pain patients in his office, the ‘Walk in Chiropractic Associates’. The team at his office is highly proficient and competent in providing the most effective treatment for any given condition. The secret behind this success is they always dig out the root cause of the problem and then tailor the regimen to be followed. The misaligned bones are adjusted to relieve the pressure and improve the condition of the joints involved. Along with this, therapeutic massage, electric stimulation, ultra sound therapy or LLLT are some of the remedies that may be used, depending upon the individual condition and requirement. You will get new life style guidelines to help you stay up to mark on day to day basis.
The health care provided at ‘Walk in Chiropractic Associates’ office is latest and pocket friendly also. You can call (713) 529-4808 or visit www.MyWalkInChiropractic.com and book an appointment to save you from hassle of waiting. We are at 2002 Binz Street, suite B, Houston, TX 77004.
