Two tendons that move the thumb run through a tight tunnel at the wrist. When the sheath thickens or the tendons swell, every lift and twist hurts.
Warning signs
- Pain picking up a baby, a coffee pot, or a casserole dish
- Pain with wringing, twisting, or opening a jar
- Pain that travels up the forearm or into the thumb
- Swelling or thickening at the thumb side of the wrist
Treatment
A thumb spica splint, activity changes (lift with the thumb close to the hand, use two hands), and a corticosteroid injection resolve most first-time cases. When symptoms persist, a short outpatient release of the compartment under local anesthesia takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
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Questions patients ask
What is De Quervain's tendonitis?
Two tendons that move the thumb run through a tight tunnel at the wrist. When the sheath thickens or the tendons swell, every lift and twist hurts.
What are the warning signs of De Quervain's tendonitis?
Pain picking up a baby, a coffee pot, or a casserole dish. Pain with wringing, twisting, or opening a jar. Pain that travels up the forearm or into the thumb. Swelling or thickening at the thumb side of the wrist.
How is De Quervain's tendonitis treated?
A thumb spica splint, activity changes (lift with the thumb close to the hand, use two hands), and a corticosteroid injection resolve most first-time cases. When symptoms persist, a short outpatient release of the compartment under local anesthesia takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
Who treats De Quervain's tendonitis near Southlake and Dallas-Fort Worth?
Dr. Pedro Loredo, a board-certified hand surgeon (General Surgery, American Board of Surgery; Hand Surgery, American Board of Plastic Surgery) at Loredo Hand Care Institute, 431 E State Hwy 114, Suite 380, Southlake, TX. New patients are seen within days. Call (972) 939-4974. Se habla español.
En español: ¿Dolor en la muñeca, del lado del pulgar, al cargar al bebé?
Dos tendones que mueven el pulgar pasan por un túnel estrecho en la muñeca. Cuando la vaina se engrosa o los tendones se inflaman, cada movimiento de levantar o girar duele.
Señales de alerta
- Dolor al cargar al bebé, la cafetera o una cazuela
- Dolor al exprimir, girar o abrir un frasco
- Dolor que sube al antebrazo o baja al pulgar
- Hinchazón o engrosamiento en el lado del pulgar de la muñeca
Tratamiento
Una férula para el pulgar, cambios de actividad (levantar con el pulgar pegado a la mano, usar las dos manos) y una inyección de corticoide resuelven la mayoría de los casos que aparecen por primera vez. Si el dolor persiste, una liberación corta y ambulatoria con anestesia local toma unos 10 a 15 minutos.
If this sounds like your hand
Call Loredo Hand Care Institute or start your forms online. New patients are seen within days; surgery, when needed, is scheduled at the first available opening. Se habla español.