Consultant – Gavin Brigstocke

What is De Quervain’s Syndrome?
De Quervain’s syndrome is a painful condition affecting the tendons attached to the base of the thumb as they run through a tunnel at the wrist. Symptoms may include pain at the thumb side of the wrist, swelling, tenderness and clicking of the tendons.

What treatments are available?
De Quervain’s syndrome is not harmful but can cause troublesome symptoms. Mild cases will frequently recover with no intervention. If symptoms persist non-operative measures include avoidance of provocative activities, the use of a splint to immobilise the thumb and wrist or a steroid injection may be employed. Surgery may be considered if non-operative measures fail to control your symptoms. Surgery involves slitting the roof of the tendon tunnel to decompress the tendons and provide sufficient space for them to move without irritation.

What are the outcomes?
Steroid injection will successfully relieve the pain in approximately 70% of cases. The risks of injection are small, but it may lead to thinning or discolouration of the overlying skin. Surgery will usually result in rapid pain relief, however the scar is sometimes sore and temporary numbness on the back of the hand may be present as small nerve branches are moved to adequately visualise the tunnel.

Further information:
https://www.bssh.ac.uk/patients/conditions/19/de_quervains_syndrome