Dequervain's tenosynovitis

Dequervain's tenosynovitis: this condition involves swelling of the tendons that extend and bring the thumb away from the rest of the fingers (abduction).

The tendon swells to the point that it has difficulty passing underneath the tissue (tendon sheath) that holds it down to the bone. This condition is seen in occupations that involve repetitive gripping, pulling, lifting, or typing activities. Patients with diabetes, poor thyroid function, inflammatory arthritis, and women with recent childbirth are at higher risk. Signs/symptoms can include pain with thumb motion, swelling at the base of the thumb, and a catching sensation with movement of the thumb.

Treatment
Treatment initially is conservative or nonsurgical and includes steroid injections, anti-inflammatory medicines, splinting, and activity modification.

Surgery
Surgical intervention is reserved for patients who have failed conservative treatment and continue to have disabling pain or "catching" with use of the thumb. Surgical release of the tissue over the tendons is the treatment of choice.