De quervain's tenosynovitis: Patients with de Quervain's tenosynovitis

Patients with de Quervain's tenosynovitis have painful tendons on the thumb side of the wrist. With this condition, grasping or twisting can be painful. De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is caused by friction of the tendons within the first extensor compartment of the wrist against a thickened extensor retinaculum, resulting in wrist pain and swelling. It is most common in women aged between 30 to 50yrs, especially in those with occupations or hobbies involving repetitive movements of the wrist. In this article, we shall look at the pathophysiology, clinical features and management of De Quervain’s tenosynovitis . De Quervain 's tenosynovitis is inflammation of tendons on the side of the wrist at the base of the thumb. These tendons include the extensor pollicis brevis and the abductor pollicis longus tendons, which extend the joints of the thumb. What causes de Quervain 's tenosynovitis ? What is de Quervain’s tenosynovitis ? De Quervain’s tenosynovitis (also known as de Quervain’s tendinopathy) is a type of tenosynovitis that affects some of the tendons on the wrist below the thumb, also known as the first dorsal compartment of the wrist.