De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis is a painful hand condition that usually affects the tendons on the palm that is nearer to, or at the base of the thumb. Making a fist, moving your wrist, or trying to grab anything can become painful with De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis. If you play a lot of video games, it is likely you have a “gamer’s thumb,” which is essentially the same thing.
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis occurs when tendons in your wrist or lower thumb become inflamed. The swollen tendons rubbing against the narrow tunnels that they pass through cause pain in your palm, the lower part of your thumb, and in the wrist or your lower arm.
What causes De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis?
There is no definite reason as to why De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis occurs. Some factors increasing risk are:
- Injury: If your hand has recently been injured, or you’ve received a direct blow to the thumb, your chances of suffering from De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis may increase.
- Hand Involved Activities: Activities where your hand may be overexerted, or where there is excessive gripping increase risk.
- Medical Conditions: Medical conditions that affect tendons or joints may be a cause for contracting De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis, especially rheumatoid arthritis.
To prevent it from causing further damage, a number of treatment options are available. Conservative options, like De Quervain’s Wand and Tape, provide treatment to safely perform at home. This is often preferred over running into expensive steroid injections and surgery.
