The most common cause of De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis is repetitive movements that cause the tendons in the wrist to become swollen and painful. The overuse of the wrist will cause the tendons sheaths to become thickened and inflamed.
The two tendons affected by De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis are the extensor pollicis brevis and the abductor pollicis longus; these are encased within the tendon sheaths.
One of the most common causes of De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis is a mother lifting her child in and out of a stroller or car seat, and this repetitive motion puts a strain on the wrists.
Golfers also suffer from De Quervain’s because of the repetitive motion their wrists go through during a swing. The generation of video gamers tends to suffer from it due to the repetitive and continuous movement of the thumbs while playing video games with a video game controller or portable gaming device.
A direct injury can also cause it to the wrist. Surprisingly, De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis is far more common in women and people between the ages of 30 and 50.
It is also more likely to be suffered by those who already have arthritis. You will also find that pregnant women will suffer from De Quervain’s because the fluid retention during pregnancy causes more pressure on the carpool tunnel.
De Quervain’s is one of the most common diseases affecting the tendon lining. It is known to affect women 8 to 10 times more often than men. It is essential to understand that treating De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis is not impossible.
The most effective way of doing so is to stop the repetitive motion that puts a strain on the wrists. If the symptoms are unbearable, doctors have been known to prescribe pain relievers and rest, or even surgery in extreme cases.