De Quervain’s tenosynovitis (dih-kwer-VAINS ten-oh-sine-oh-VIE-tis) is a painful condition affecting the tendons on the thumb side of your wrist. If you have de Quervain’s tenosynovitis, it will probably hurt when you turn your wrist, grasp anything or make a fist.
In addition, although the exact cause of de Quervain’s tenosynovitis isn’t known, any activity that relies on repetitive hand or wrist movement — such as working in the garden, playing golf or racket sports, or lifting your baby — can make it worse.
Furthermore, physiotherapy treatment will involve education and training regarding enhancement of performance, risk factors, etc. The therapist will incorporate Flexibility exercises, muscle lengthening, range of motion exercises. Also stretching and task adaptation will help decrease muscle tightness. Our therapist will also use Manual therapy, massaging connective tissues.
Modality Treatment for Impairments
Relieving Pain
Thumb splinting
The patient is often prescribe a splint for thumb immobilization for up to 6 weeks. Also, recent studies reveal a 19% success rate when compared with corticosteroid injections and NSAID use, but success increases to 88% for splinting and NSAIDs together.
NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
As a result this treatment usually goes hand in hand with other treatment interventions. NSAIDs help relieve inflammation of the extensor pollicis brevis and abductor pollicis longus tendons
McKenzie wrist management
The patient will learn how to perform ulnar deviation and thumb metaphalangeal flexion with distraction at home 10-20 times at leasy every 3 hours. The therapist will also instruct the patient to avoid radially deviating their wrist. Studies also show that continuous ulnar deviation with radiocarpal distraction help patients with de Quervain’s disease recover quickly and successfully. There is little to no research supporting the success and efficacy of this intervention.