tenosynovitis (de Quervain)
Last reviewed 01/2018
In de Quervain's disease, the sheath containing extensor pollicis brevis and abductor pollicis longus tendons becomes thickened and inflamed.
- De Quervain's tenosynovitis is a stenosing tenosynovitis of the first extensor
compartment of the wrist and leads to pain on the radial (thumb) side of the
wrist and impaired function of the wrist and hand
- condition is colloquially termed 'washerwoman's thumb' due to the high incidence seen in women who wash clothes by the traditional hand method
- occurs commonly in women and usually affects 30-50-year-olds
- occurs as the tendon sheath containing the extensor pollicis brevis and abductor pollicis longus becomes thickened and inflamed
- patient presents with pain, tenderness and swelling over the radial side of the wrist and difficulty gripping
Reference:
- (1) Arthritis Research UK (April 2013). The upper limb in primary care. Part 2: Wrist, hand. Hands On 2(7).