De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis

Tenosynovitis describes inflammation of the lining of a tendon. De Quervain was the first doctor to describe this in the tendon that extends the thumb. There is thickening of the tissue lining over the tendon and movement underneath the lining becomes limited and painful.

This causes pain over the thumb side of the wrist (first extensor tendon compartment.)

Patients may find difficulty with a dart throwing action or lifting objects. There is often a swelling noted over the adjacent bone (radial styloid) which may be very tender to touch.