De Querveins
De quervain’s tenosynovitis is a painful condition where there is irritation and subsequent inflammation of two of the thumb tendons in their housing (sheath) at the radial aspect of the wrist. It is commonly seen in new mothers lifting their babies, and people who repetitively use their thumbs and hands in their daily activities. Physiotherapy can help you to improve and recover with the right advice and treatment.
Common symptoms:
- Pain in the thumb or on the side of the wrist while gripping or holding an object
- Pain when lifting your child
- Swelling on the thumb side of the wrist
- Pain worse in the morning
- Referral pain in the lower arm
- Pins and needles or numbness on the back of the hand
- Pain with lifting/pouring from the kettle
Potential causes:
- Repetitive use of the wrist and thumb
- Recent increase in use of the thumb muscles
- Incorrect manual handling for daily tasks or increased task performance
Assessment:
Objective assessment: We will look at your hand and wrist, and palpate around the area. We will look at how your hand, thumb and wrist move as well as their interaction with your elbow and wrist. We may perform special tests such as Finkelstein’s test and look at the superficial radial nerve to see if it is involved.
Treatment:
- Education on the condition and advice regarding conservative vs surgical management
- Activity modification
- Muscle and soft tissue release
- Joint moblisation techniques
- Custom made thermoplastic or neoprene splinting
- Taping
- Dry needling
- Manual handling education
- Home exercise program including stretching, movement and strengthening exercises
Plan:
From the moment we meet you, we are planning an individualised and holistic approach to help you reach your goal and be your best!
Rehabilitate, Educate, Innovate.
Providing excellence in physiotherapy from assessment to diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation