De Quervain syndrome is inflammation of two tendons that control movement of the thumb and their tendon sheath. Risk factors include certain repetitive movements, trauma, and rheumatic diseases. Treatment involves avoiding activities that bring on the symptoms, pain medications such as NSAIDs , and splinting the thumb. Symptoms are pain at the radial side of the wrist, spasms, tenderness, occasional burning sensation in the hand, and swelling over the thumb side of the wrist, and difficulty gripping with the affected side of the hand.
It occurs when the 2 tendons around the base of your thumb become swollen. The swelling causes the sheaths casings covering the tendons to become inflamed. This puts pressure on nearby nerves, causing pain and numbness. You might also feel pain going up your forearm. The pain may develop slowly or come on suddenly. It may get worse when you use your hand, thumb, or wrist. Repetitive movements day after day cause irritation and pain.
The surgery is common and highly successful—those who undergo it can boost chances for success even more by following these instructions and care tips during recovery. See The P. Protocol Principles. Patients will need to keep the incision site clean and dry until the physician removes the stitches 1 to 2 weeks after the procedure. Patients can begin to do some gentle range of motion movements and exercises to keep the hand flexible within a few days of surgery.
The condition makes it painful when a person moves their thumb. There are some exercises that people can do at home to help alleviate the symptoms. This article describes what to do.