De Quervain's tendonitis is a painful inflammation around the tendons in the big toe. It is also called de Quervain's tendonitis or de Quervain's tendinosis. Doctors sometimes use these names interchangeably to refer to the same condition.
Tendons connect muscles to bones. They are strong, flexible cords of tissue that resemble ropes. When you contract (tighten) a muscle, the tendons pull on the bones they are attached to, allowing them
to move. Two tendons connect the thumb to the wrist.
The tendons usually slide easily through a tunnel of tissue called a sheath. De Quervain's tendonitis occurs when something swells or thickens the sheath around the tendons of the thumb. This swelling
causes extra friction when the thumb and wrist are used. When this happens, certain thumb and wrist movements become painful and more difficult. De Quervain's tendonitis usually causes pain near the
base of the thumb, and this pain can radiate down the forearm.
De Quervain tendonitis is one of the most common forms of tendonitis. Experts estimate that the disease affects about 1% of people in the United States each year.
What are the symptoms of De Quervain's Tendonitis?The most common symptom of de Quervain tendonitis is pain in the wrist on the same side as the thumb (radial side). Some people notice the pain suddenly or all at once, but it can also develop over time. The pain usually:
Other symptoms include:
Anything that irritates the tendons of the thumb can cause de Quervain tendonitis. The most common causes include:
Activities that require repetitive movements while gripping an object tightly can also cause de Quervain tendonitis, such as:
Anyone can get De Quervain's tendonitis, but certain groups of people are more likely to develop it, including:
A doctor will diagnose de Quervain tendonitis with a physical exam. The doctor will examine the thumb and wrist. It is important to tell the doctor when the pain in the wrist was first noticed and what activities make the pain significantly worse.