Repetitive use or overexertion of the wrist or hand can lead to a painful medical condition called De Quervain’s tenosynovitis. This condition can impair the use of the wrist or thumb until a person receives treatment and the condition heals.
What Is De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis?
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is a medical condition caused by swelling of tendons along the thumb side of the wrist that attach to the base of the thumb. The condition occurs when the sheath surrounding the tendons becomes constricted. De Quervain’s tenosynovitis can cause chronic pain and tenderness along the thumb-side of the wrist, with symptoms aggravated by actions such as:
- Moving the thumb
- Making a fist
- Grasping or gripping something
- Turning or twisting the wrist
- Lifting something while pointing your thumbs upward
Causes and Risk Factors
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis usually occurs from repetitive stress or overuse of the wrist and hand, which can cause the tendons to swell and thicken, restricting their movement in their sheath. Other common causes of the condition include:
- Traumatic injury to the thumb or wrist that results in scar tissue that restricts the tendons
- Fluid retention due to underlying medical conditions, which can cause the tendons or their surrounding sheath to swell
- Inflammatory arthritis
Top risk factors for developing De Quervain’s tenosynovitis include:
- Gender, as the condition occurs more frequently in women
- Pregnancy, as there may be a link between the condition and pregnancy
- Childcare, such as lifting a child while using the thumbs for leverage can cause or aggravate the condition
- Age, as people between 30 and 50 have a higher risk of developing the condition than other age groups
- Work and hobbies, as activities that require repetitive or stressful hand and wrist movements can lead to developing the condition
Symptoms of De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
Common symptoms of De Quervain’s tenosynovitis include:
- Wrist pain and swelling near the base of the thumb
- Numbness that runs from the thumb into the forearm
- Stiffness or difficulty moving the thumb and wrist when grasping or pinching
- A catching or snapping sensation when moving the thumb
Treatment Options
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis treatment may involve non-surgical or surgical options, depending on the nature of the condition and the severity of the symptoms. Non-surgical treatment and pain relief options for De Quervain’s tenosynovitis may include:
- Splints that keep the wrist and thumb in a position that allows the tendons to heal
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen or naproxen can help relieve pain
- Corticosteroid injections into the tendon sheath
- Physical or occupational therapy that provides exercises to strengthen the wrist and thumb and encourages modifications to work and daily activities to avoid aggravating the injury
Surgical treatment involves releasing the tendon sheath to provide room for the irritated or swollen tendons without causing tendon instability.
Can I Get Workers’ Comp for De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis?
After developing De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, you might become eligible for workers’ comp benefits if your job requires repetitive or stressful hand or wrist movements. Your doctor may connect your work duties with your condition, making your injury compensable under Pennsylvania’s workers’ compensation law. However, you should consult a workers’ comp attorney for help securing benefits, as employers and insurers will fight hard to avoid liability for De Quervain’s tenosynovitis.
Contact Our Pennsylvania Workers’ Comp Attorneys to Learn More
When you’ve received a diagnosis of De Quervain’s tenosynovitis that you’ve developed due to your work activities, you may have the right to seek workers’ compensation benefits for your treatment and lost wages. Contact Calhoon & Kaminsky, P.C., today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced work injury lawyer to discuss your legal options.
This post was originally published in December 2015 and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness in September 2014.
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For more than 20 years, our attorneys have been helping injured workers navigate the complex Pennsylvania workers’ compensation system. We empower workers with the information and the representation they need to make the best decisions for themselves and their families’ future.
