Wrist Tenosynovitis

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All About Wrist Tenosynovitis
Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosing Wrist Tenosynovitis
Treatments Options

About Wrist Tenosynovitis

Wrist Tenosynovitis also called ‘De Quervain’s tendinosis’ is an inflammation of the tendons of the thumb. This is one of the most common types of tendon lining inflammation. Women are affected by this condition eight to ten times more than men. This condition has also been called “Mummy’s wrist” due to repetitive strain injury from lifting and carrying a newborn baby.

What Causes Wrist Tenosynovitis

Wrist Tenosynovitis is a condition that is caused by several factors, including:

Repetitive grasping of thumb and fingers and twisting of the wrist
A direct blow to the thumb
Menopausal women

Some activities that require a sidewise motion of the wrist while you are gripping the thumb can aggravate this condition like:

Wringing and drying of wet clothes
Pouring of water from a jug or kettle
Opening of doors and turning of keys
Using hammer
Racquet sports
Gardening

Symptoms Of Wrist Tenosynovitis

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Pain

Pain at the side of the wrist near the base of the thumb. The pain usually aggravates from increased activity or a repetitive motion such as swinging a badminton racquet or driving for a long period. Common household chores tend to trigger pain such as washing plates and wringing or drying off wet clothes; opening jar lids and pouring water from a kettle.

Difficulty moving your thumb

You might have difficulties pinching or gripping objects as the thumb has a limited range of movement. In severe cases, there will be restrictions on wrist and thumb movement such as flexion or extension of the related area. You may experience weakness in carrying a bowl of hot soup or closing and tightening a jar lid.

Swelling

The affected area at the base of the thumb is inflamed, this will cause swelling and tenderness, some have also experienced weakness while using the wrist.

When Should I Seek Medical Attention?

You should seek medical help when:

Swelling of the wrist joint
Persistent wrist pain from moving the thumb
Inability to rotate the wrist
Tenderness at the location of pain

Diagnosing Wrist Tenosynovitis

Diagnosing Wrist Tenosynovitis is usually done with a Finkelstein test. It is a simple physical examination to determine the condition. Additionally, our team of experienced primary care physicians and pain care specialists will conduct a thorough diagnosis by evaluating your medical history. This is a clinical diagnosis and rarely does it need any MRI investigation.

A Message About Wrist Tenosynovitis

Wrist Tenosynovitis is a very painful and disabling condition. If left untreated, the pain would progress to weakness and increasing disability. There would be great inconvenience using the hand due to pain inhibition from the wrist and base of the thumb. During the initial phase, rest and immobilisation is the key to preventing it from getting worse.

Fortunately, while this condition can be very disabling with a significant handicap of using the affected hand, it can be treated very effectively with a simple injection into the inflamed tendon sheath.

Myospan injection of local anaesthetic, anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxant will provide almost immediate pain relief. Combined with regular physical therapy, it will prevent the recurrence of tenosynovitis.

What Treatments Are Available for Wrist Tenosynovitis?

Wrist Tenosynovitis can be easily resolved with non-surgical methods. At Singapore Paincare, we strive to treat your pain with the least invasive option possible after accurately identifying the cause. Our approach to pain resolution focuses on the removal of pain generators via specialised injection and minimally invasive procedures. Combined with pharmacological treatments and cognitive and physical rehabilitative therapies – we help patients improve functions and prevent pain from recurring.

Non-Surgical Treatment for Wrist Tenosynovitis

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Splinting

Wrist Tenosynovitis may require splinting to reduce inflammation and allow for recovery. These splints are usually worn for 24 hours for four to six weeks. About 50% of patients may recover from immobilisation of the wrist tendon if treated early.

Steroid Injections

Cortisone is a steroid that is used to treat inflammation. It is a form of anti-inflammatory medication that can be used to relieve pain quickly. This simple intervention provides immediate relief without significant risks.
Myospan treatment addresses both local and referred causes. Our Coreflex injections use a mix of local anaesthetic, anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxant, to be injected into the affected tendon sheath as well as any strained surrounding distal muscles and ligaments.

Physiotherapy

Exercises can help to reduce stiffness in the affected areas and help to accelerate the restoration of wrist function. Exercise is most effective after Myospan treatment. In isolation, exercise may have limited and slow outcomes.

Surgical Treatment for Wrist Tenosynovitis

Wrist tenosynovitis is usually an inflammatory condition. In rare cases, it may be due to restriction or compression from the tight retinaculum band of the wrist. In these cases, if non-surgical treatments do not reduce pain and swelling, surgery may be recommended.

Surgical release of the tendon

This procedure is usually carried out with local anaesthetic and the extensor tendon is freed from the constricting retinaculum band. During surgery, a small incision is made in the sheath, allowing the tendons to slip more easily. Post-surgery, patients are recommended to use a splint for a few weeks to ensure a smooth recovery.

Home Remedies for Wrist Tenosynovitis

Alternatively, you can also use a hot or cold compress. The cold compress or ice reduces the pain felt from the area of inflammation. A hot compress is usually used after a few days of a cold compress to stimulate the blood flow.

How Can I Prevent Wrist Tenosynovitis?

By taking breaks and staying away from the actions that further aggravate the condition, you can reduce the chance of it returning after treatment. Identify the triggering activities that may cause strain injuries to your wrist and avoid these movements. Your doctor will advise you on what events aggravate the condition and what to avoid.

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