De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is a condition in which the tendons on the thumb side of your wrist are inflamed. This inflammation causes pain in your wrist especially if you move or turn it. The pain can also affect the movement of your thumb.
Symptoms
There are many symptoms or side effects that indicate De Quervain’s Syndrome. Pain in your wrist may also travel up your thumb and eventually your forearm, swelling and inflammation can all happen with De Quervain’s.
You may have trouble moving or rotating your wrist. Your thumb may be hard to move, and you may also experience numbness in your index finger and thumb. You may even be able to hear a squeaking sound when you rotate your thumb or wrist indicating the sheaths surrounding your tendons are inflamed.
Causes
If you overuse your wrist habitually in activities like gardening, playing a musical instrument, or knitting you may suffer from De Quervain’s. These repetitive motions lead the sheaths surrounding tendons to inflame which restricts your movement and causes pain. Also, if you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis or a past injury to the area you are more likely to suffer from the condition.
Risk factor
There are various risk factors that contribute to De Quervain’s. The condition is more common between the ages of 30 and 50 than in other age groups. Research shows it is more likely to affect women than men and especially pregnant women. Repetitive wrist movements cause irritation to the tendon sheath. Also, past injuries can also lead to this condition.
Finally, De Quervain’s is a condition that causes inflammation, pain, and discomfort stemming from the tendons on the thumb side of your wrist.