DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis is a condition that causes the tendons in the thumb to swell. It is also known as “golfer’s thumb” because it is often caused by repetitive movements of the thumb, such as those used in golfing or texting.
The symptoms of DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis include pain and swelling in the base of the thumb, which can cause difficulty with gripping objects or using your hands for daily tasks.
Although it is often caused by overuse or repetitive motions, it can also be caused by inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. It affects women eight to ten times more often than men.
DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis usually presents as pain and tenderness along the side of the wrist on the thumb side and gets worse as you use the hand or thumb. It can also cause a sensation of popping or snapping in the wrist when moving the thumb.
Usually, it can be diagnosed by an examination and is initially treated with bracing and rest. If non-surgical treatments fail, surgery may be necessary to relieve the symptoms.
