De

Quervain’s
Tenosynovitis
Dr. Jatin
JR 3rd year
Orthopaed
ics
FMHS
under SGT
University
 INTRODUCTION
• It is named after Swiss surgeon, FRITZ DE
QUERVAIN who first described the condition
in 1895.
• It is a stenosing tenosynovitis which
affects the tendon sheaths of the 1st dorsal
compartment of the wrist.
• It is characterised by degeneration
and fibrosis of the tendon sheath.
 Incidence
• Occurs most often in individuals age between
30 and 50 years
• It affects women up to six times more
often than men
• Is commonly associated with dominant
hand
 Ananto
The dorsal aspect
my of the wrist contains six
compartments that transmit the tendons to the
hand.
• 1-Abd. Pollicis longus
Ext. pollicis brevis
• 2- Ext.carpi radialis
longus Ext. carpi
radialis brevis
• 3- Ext. pollicis longus
• 4-Ext.
digitorum
Ext. indicis
• 5- Ext. digiti
 First Dorsal Compartment

• The first dorsal

compartment is
approximately 2
cm long and is
located over the
radial styloid
proximal to the
radio- carpal
joint .
Abductor pollicis longus Extensor pollicis bevis

• Originates from- • Originates from-

posterior shaft of ulna posterior shaft of
and radius radius
• Inserts at-base of 1st • Inserts at-base of
meta carpal proximal
• Supplied by-radial phalanx
nerve • Supplied by-radial
• Action- abduction nerve
+extension of • Action- extension of
thumb thhumb.
 Predisposing Factors
• Overuse injury
• Repetitive tasks that involve overexertion of
thumb, radial and ulnar deviation of the wrist
• Arthritis
• pregnancy
 Activities such
as
• Wringing out wet clothes.
• Long use of computer
mouse.
• Use of scissors, surgical
tongs.
• Texting
• Hammering.
• Knitting.
• Lifting heavy objects
such as a jug of milk,
taking a frying pan off of
the stove, or mother lifting
a baby out of a crib
 Etiology
The tendons of the abductor pollicis longus and
the extensor pollicis brevis are tightly
secured against the radial styloid by the
overlying extensor retinaculum.

Acute or repetitive trauma restrains gliding of

the tendons results in inflammation of
synovial sheath

Increases friction
Reactive fibrosis and thickening of the sheath.

Degeneration.
 Clinical Features
• Patient may complain
pain on the radial side
of the wrist that is
worsened by moving
the wrist or thumb.

• Sometimes there is a
visible swelling over the
radial styloid.
• The tendon sheath may feels thick and
hard.
• Tenderness is mostly acute at the tip of
the radial styloid.
• Pain aggravates on grasping and raising
objects with the wrist
• Wet leather sign
• The Finkelstein test is positive.
 Finkelstein test
• It is a provocative test used in diagnostic for de Quervain's
tenosynovitis.
• Makes a fist with
the thumb inside.
• Now ask the patient
to bend the wrist
toward little finger
 Differential
Diagnosis
• CMC arthritis of the thumb: pain and crepitus
present with the thumb "crank and grind test .
• Scaphoid fracture: in this tenderness will be in the
anatomic snuff box.
• Chauffeur's fracture
• Intersection syndrome-tenosynovitis of the second
dorsalcompartment involving the tendons of
extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) and extensor
carpi radialis longus (more proximal pain)
• Extensor pollicis longus (EPL) tendonitis of the third dorsal
compartment: common in patients with rheumatoid arthritis
or with direct injury and distal radius fracture .
 TREATMENT
GOALS
I. Restoration of normal,painless use of the involved
hand.
II. Resolution of the inflammatory process.
III. Prevention of recurrence of the through
education.
IV. Restoration of pain-free movements
and strength .
 CONSERVATIVE MANAGEMENT
Medical management
• Corticosteroid injection: can be
given to patient with morderate to
marked pain with symptoms
lasting for more than 3 weeks.

• NSAIDS : it is precribed initially

for 6 to 8 weeks to reduce
pain and inflammation.
 PHYSIOTHERAPY MANAGEMENT
• Immoblisation : A thumb
spica splint is used to
restrict thumb
movement so that the
first dorsal compartment
tendons are at rest.

• Cold compression : for 10 to

12 minutes over the
inflammed area.
• Ultrasonic therapy: pulsed mode, 3 mhz, time-
5min.

• Phonophorersis :with 10% hydrocortisone.

• Gentle active and passive motion of thumb and

wrist encouraged for 5 minutes every hour to
prevent joint contractures and adhesions.

• Strenghtening and stretching exercises after the

initial pain subsides.
Indication for decompression surgery
• Unsatisfactory symptom reduction
• Persistence of symptoms after conservative
interventions.
• Limitations in A.D.Ls due to pain.
 After Decompression
0-2 Days Surgery
Immobilization within cast
Active movement of IP joint: Flexion and
Extension.
After 48 hours of surgery dressings are
removed.
After this begin with gentle active motion of
the wrist and thumb.
 2-14
Days
• Presurgical splint is worn for comfort and
active exercises are continued for
Ipjoint, elbow and shoulder joint .
• By 10- 14 days: sutures are removed.
6 Weeks
• Grip and pinch strengthening exercises may
begin at approximately 3 weeks and can be
progressed gradually.
• By the end of 6 week the patient usually is able
to resume full activities.
 Ergonomics
1) Ergonomic mouse: It
feature a molded
thumb rest support will
help reduce the amount
of gripping force your
thumb needs to apply
to hold the mouse.
2)Use the power grip (all fingers in a loose grip)
instead of using a pinch.

3)Minimize repetition and rest arm occasionally

during a repetitive activity or slow down activity.

4) Use a light grip on tools, pens, the mouse.

5) Alternate hands during activities if possible

 Case Study
• Name - Hemlata
• Age - 45
• Gender- female
• Occupation – housewife
• Dominance-right

• Chief complaint-pain at left thumb and area

below thumb from 20 days which has increased
from last few days.
 Pain history
• Mechanism of injury- can’t be recalled by pateint.
• Duration of pain-20 days
• Vas score-6
• Type-sharp pain with movement
• Aggravating factor –doing house hold work like
washing clothes ,brooming etc.
• Relieving factor – pain relieving
ointment(balm,painkiller given by physician)
• Severity-level 4 i.e pain during and after specific
activity that does affect performance
• Past history-The patient reported no past
history of elbow, forearm or wrist pain. No
history of systemic disease.
• No family history of major systemic
diseases
 On examination
• Swelling –minimal swelling seen on comparing
right wrist ( non pitting).
• Tenderness-present grade :2 i.e patient allows
to touch but it gives pain.
• RIM
Wrist extensor and flexor –strong and painless
Radial deviation ulnar deviation –strong and
painfull
• THUMB
Flexion
Extension STRONG PAINFULL
Abduction
Adduction
• Roms shown no variations.
 TREATMENT
Ultrasonic therapy
3mhz
pulsed 1:4
time: 5 minutes
Intensity:8
Cold compression/ Ice massage- for 10 to 12
minutes.
Advice for rest.