De Quervain’s Tendinitis
Andreas Leonidou
Orthopaedic Surgeon
- Symptoms
- Conservative Treatment
- Surgical Treatment
- Cost
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What Is De Quervain’s Tendinitis?
De Quervain’s tendinitis is a painful condition characterised by inflammation of some of the tendons responsible for extending the thumb.
The inflamed tendons are the abductor pollicis longus and the extensor pollicis brevis. These tendons pass through a sheath (tunnel), which may sometimes become narrowed, causing the tendons to become trapped and inflamed.
Why Does It Occur? What Are the Causes?
Predisposing factors for De Quervain’s tendinitis include manual work and repetitive activities involving the wrist/thumb (such as computer use).
De Quervain’s tendinitis occurs more frequently in women and often first appears during pregnancy or when mothers are caring for a newborn.
What Are the Symptoms?
Patients may experience the following symptoms:
Pain in the thumb
Wrist pain along the extension of the thumb, radiating centrally towards the forearm
Worsening of pain at night or when the wrist/thumb remains flexed for a long period of time
Difficulty performing fine hand movements
Stiffness of the wrist and thumb
Tenderness on palpation at the base of the thumb and along its extension towards the wrist
How Is the Diagnosis Made?
A patient with De Quervain’s tendinitis requires assessment by a specialised Orthopaedic Surgeon. Dr Leonidou will take a detailed medical history and examine you.
The doctor will perform an ultrasound scan of the area to assess the presence of swelling in the inflamed tendons.
Conservative Treatment for De Quervain’s Syndrome
Initial treatment for mild De Quervain’s tendinitis includes:
Rest and activity modification
Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Ice therapy
Physiotherapy and a home exercise programme. Exercises include wrist and thumb stretching.
Use of a splint to keep the thumb and wrist in a straight position.
A cortisone injection around the tendons may relieve symptoms for several months in some patients, but it does not provide a definitive solution.
Surgical Treatment
If conservative treatment fails, tendon release provides a definitive solution with excellent functional results.
The release is performed through a small incision at the base of the thumb/wrist. Through this incision, the doctor releases and decompresses the inflamed tendons.
The anaesthesia is local, and the patient returns home a few hours after the procedure with a dressing for 3 days.
It is important that the surgery is performed by a specialised Orthopaedic Surgeon, as an important nerve that provides sensation to the wrist is located in the incision area and must be protected.
Surgical Success
Surgical treatment of De Quervain’s tendinitis is a safe and bloodless procedure with extremely low complication rates and excellent functional outcomes.
The length of the surgical incision is 2 centimetres, and the procedure lasts approximately 15 minutes in total.
What Is the Cost and Price of Surgery? How Much Does It Cost?
The cost is quite affordable. For more information, please contact us.
If you have symptoms of wrist tendinitis, consult the specialised Orthopaedic Surgeon Dr Andreas Leonidou. The doctor has 14 years of continuous experience abroad as Director at a University Hospital and specialises in upper limb surgery.
Book your appointment for immediate diagnosis, specialist care, and targeted treatment in just one visit.