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Tendonitis is a medical term used to describe irritation,
inflammation, and swelling of a tendon, mostly felt where these fibrous bands
attach to the bone. There are many tendons found on the body and when a tendon is used constantly, such as those located on the wrist, they may eventually become inflamed and tendonitis
may develop.
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, or wrist tendonitis, is a
condition caused when the synovium and tendons, found around the base of the
thumb and wrist, become irritated, swollen, and inflamed. The condition often results from complications of
the tendons which control the movements of the thumb and wrist.
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is mostly diagnosed within the 30-50-year-old
age group and most often occurs in women. De
Quervain’s tenosynovitis, as with other types of tendonitis, is caused by overuse of the wrist. This condition frequently develops in new mothers, as the motion of the wrist when picking up a baby may begin to cause irritation to the surrounding tendons. It can also develop in individuals who constantly use a hammer, gardeners, skiers, and/or
people who play racquet sports. In our modern day, De Quervain’s tenosynovitis
may also occur in people who excessively use their thumbs while texting and gaming.
The most common signs and symptoms of De Quervain’s
tenosynovitis are local tenderness and gradual to instant pain on the thumb side of
the wrist, radiating up to the forearm. The pain from this type of
tendinitis may feel worse when using the thumb to grasp an object or while
twisting the wrist. Furthermore, the inflammation and swelling around the area
of the thumb can greatly limit mobility, making everyday activities difficult
to engage in.
By Dr. Alex Jimenez