De Quervain's disease - everything you need to know

Do you happen to experience pain in the thumb and wrist area? De Quervain's disease may be the cause of your discomfort. In the article you will learn how to recognize the symptoms of this disease, what are its most common causes, and how diagnosis and treatment are carried out. You will find practical advice on conservative methods, physiotherapy and when to consider surgical intervention. Learn about ways to alleviate pain and restore full functionality of the hand. We invite you to read more!

From this article you will learn:

• De Quervain's disease - causes and symptoms
  • Causes of De Quervain's disease
  • De Quervain's disease - symptoms
• De Quervain's disease - diagnosis
  • Diagnostic methods
• De Quervain's disease - treatment
  • Conservative methods of treatment
  • Surgical treatment of De Quervain's disease
• De Quervain's disease - rehabilitation and exercise
  • Physiotherapy and exercise
  • Home remedies
• Summary

De Quervain's disease - causes and symptoms

De Quervain's disease is a condition involving Inflammation of the tendon sheaths located on the thumb side of the wrist. It mainly manifests itself in pain and swelling, making daily function much more difficult. De Quervain's disease of the wrist occurs not only in athletes, but also in people who perform repetitive hand movements, such as musicians, office workers and young mothers. A common question from patients is: De Quervain's disease how long does it take - the duration of treatment depends on the severity and how quickly rehabilitation is implemented.

Causes of De Quervain's disease

De Quervain's disease usually develops as a result of overloading of structures located on the thumb side, especially when performing repetitive movements. Understanding the causes and eliminating risk factors are key to effective treatment and preventing recurrence. The most common causes of this condition include:

• intensive use of the thumb - prolonged holding, grasping or lifting objects can lead to thumb tendonitis;
• manual work and professional activities - People who do physical work, office work, musicians or athletes are particularly vulnerable to micro-injuries and strains to the wrist;
• childcare - Young mothers often perform repetitive movements, such as lifting an infant, carrying a baby carrier or opening jars, which increases the risk of tendon strain;
• use of mobile devices - Operating a smartphone or tablet for long periods of time can lead to thumb and wrist strain, especially when typing heavily or scrolling through content;
• associations with other diseases - De Quervain's disease can occur as one of many orthopedic conditions, developing due to chronic overload or postural defects.

De Quervain's disease - symptoms

De Quervain's disease is an inflammation of the tendon sheath in the thumb area that causes a number of bothersome discomforts. These symptoms Can impede daily functioning and often require specialized intervention. If symptoms are ignored, they can lead to chronic discomfort and reduced functionality of the hand, so it is important to quickly recognize and implement appropriate treatment. The most common symptoms include:

• pain at the base of the thumb and wrist - Often radiating toward the forearm, aggravated by hand movements;
• discomfort during grasping and turning movements - pain especially noticeable during activities that involve the thumb, such as unscrewing jars or holding a baby;
• swelling and redness of the skin around the thumb - associated with local inflammation of the tendon sheath;
• Difficulty in grasping objects and weakening of muscle strength - making it difficult to perform everyday tasks such as writing, cooking or working on the computer;
• reduced mobility of the hand - Restricted range of motion in the thumb and wrist causing discomfort when performing simple gestures;
• snapping or skipping during thumb movements - resulting from thickening of the tendon sheath and limited movement of structures within the tendon canal;
• pain that worsens with wrist and thumb movements - often forces patients to give up work activities and seek medical help.

De Quervain's disease - diagnosis

The diagnosis of De Quervain's disease of the wrist is based on several key diagnostic steps. First, the doctor takes a thorough medical history, trying to identify any symptoms that may indicate this inflammation. An important part of the diagnosis is a clinical evaluation of the hand. In order to confirm the diagnosis, doctors often use imaging studies. Ultrasound (USG) is one of the most important diagnostic tools, as it can accurately assess the condition of tendon sheaths and confirm the presence of inflammation. In some cases, doctors may choose to perform an x-ray (X-ray) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to rule out other conditions that may cause similar symptoms.

Diagnostic methods

The main diagnostic methods used to diagnose De Quervain's disease include physical examination and provocative tests. One of the most commonly used tests is Finkelstein test, which involves clenching the thumb into a fist and bending the wrist toward the little finger. Increased pain during this movement indicates the presence of tendinitis. In addition to the Finkelstein test, your doctor may also use other physical tests, such as Muckard test, which also helps identify inflammation. In some situations, additional imaging studies are recommended. Ultrasonography (USG) is particularly useful, as it allows direct visualization of tendon sheaths and assessment of their condition. If more complicated lesions, such as bone injuries, are suspected, the doctor may order an X-ray or MRI.

De Quervain's disease - treatment

De Quervain's disease, how to treat? In the early stages of de Quervain's disease, treatment is generally based on conservative methods to reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms. With early intervention and properly selected supportive methods it is possible to significantly reduce pain and restore full functionality of the hand. De Quervain's disease treatment may also include steroid injections, which often provide quick relief for severe symptoms. In more difficult cases, or when conservative methods are unsuccessful, surgical treatment may be necessary to remove adhesions and narrowing in the tendon sheath.

Conservative methods of treatment

Conservative treatments for de Quervain's disease are usually the first step in the management of the condition. The most common forms of therapy include immobilization of the thumb through the use of an orthosis, which stabilizes the wrist and reduces mobility, erroneously stressing overstressed tendons. In de Quervain's disease, rehabilitation is a key component of therapy. Physiotherapy may include Cryotherapy, ultrasound, laser therapy and manual therapy, which helps restore normal muscle and tendon tone. Medications commonly used to treat de Quervain's disease include. non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which help reduce inflammation and relieve pain. It is important to start treatment as early as possible, as De Quervain's disease manual therapy in the early stages can prevent the need for more invasive treatments.

Surgical treatment of De Quervain's disease

Surgical treatment of de Quervain's disease is usually a last resort, used when conservative treatment is unsuccessful. Surgery involves cutting the metacarpal trochlea and releasing the inflamed tendon sheaths, which eliminates compression and allows the tendons to move more freely. De Quervain's disease after surgery requires careful care, which includes both rest and a gradual return to activity under the supervision of a specialist. Patients can expect pain relief almost immediately after surgery, although full physical rehabilitation can last for several weeks. It is important to proceed as recommended by your doctor regarding physiotherapy and avoiding activities that strain the hand during the recovery period.

De Quervain's disease - rehabilitation and exercise

For a condition such as De Quervain's disease after surgery, rehabilitation plays a key role in the treatment of De Quervain's disease. Through proper exercises and therapeutic methods, the mobility of the thumb and wrist can be significantly improved, which contributes to restoring full functionality to the hand. Regarding De Quervain's disease, Rehabilitation exercises are designed to strengthen muscles, improving microcirculation and reducing inflammation. The specialist may recommend various forms of physiotherapy, such as cryotherapy, laser therapy, kinesiotaping or ultrasound. In addition, home exercises are also recommended, which the patient can perform independently. Early intervention and properly selected modern rehabilitation can contribute to faster recovery and prevention of injury recurrence.

Physiotherapy and exercise

Physiotherapy plays a key role in the treatment of De Quervain's disease. Rehabilitation exercises can include a variety of methods to improve the mobility and strength of the thumb and wrist. The most commonly recommended are stretching, which help to restore full functionality of the hand. With these exercises, the symptoms of the disease can be significantly reduced and full mobility of the wrist can be restored. It is important to perform these exercises regularly and as prescribed by your therapist to avoid overload and further injury. Examples of such exercises are:

• thumb stretching - involves gently stretching the thumb in the opposite direction to the wrist, which helps reduce tendon tension;
• dorsiflexion of the hand with a load - involves lifting the hand up with a small load, which strengthens the wrist muscles;
• resistance band exercises - Performing resistance movements with the help of the tape, which increases muscle strength and stabilizes joints.

Home remedies

In the treatment of De Quervain's disease, simple home methods can also be used to aid the recovery process and prevent recurrence of pain and inflammation. These home methods can greatly aid the healing process and contribute to a faster return to full fitness. Regularity and caution in their use are key. It is important to consult a doctor before starting any self-therapy. Here are some examples:

• compresses - Using cold compresses on the wrist and thumb helps reduce inflammation and reduces pain. Cold compresses are best applied several times a day for 15-20 minutes;
• lifestyle change - Avoiding activities that cause strain on the wrist and thumb is key to preventing recurrence. The patient should also learn ergonomic techniques for performing daily activities;
• stretching - After consultation with a physiotherapist, the patient can perform simple stretching exercises to help restore tendon elasticity.

Summary

De Quervain's disease is a painful condition that affects the tendon sheaths on the thumb side of the wrist. The main causes are repetitive hand movements, especially heavy use of the thumb, which is common in young mothers, office workers and musicians. Treatment may include conservative methods such as immobilization of the thumb, physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory drugs, and in more severe cases, steroid injections or surgery. Rehabilitation is key to restoring full function to the hand. Get professional care from specialists at Neuroport, where experienced physiotherapists and orthopedic physicians will select an individualized treatment plan and effective therapy to restore the efficiency and comfort of your hand.