What is de Quervain’s Tenosynovitis?
When you grip anything in your hand, you use two major muscles in your wrist and thumb. These muscles, the abductor pollicis longus and the extensor pollicis brevis, run side by side from your forearm to your thumb. In de Quervain's tenosynovitis, the tendons of these two muscles become inflamed. This inflammation affects the sheaths of the tendons on the thumb side of your wrist, therefore restricting movement of the tendons. The most common cause is chronic overuse of your wrist. Other causes of de Quervain's tenosynovitis include: direct injury and inflammatory arthritis, such as, rheumatoid arthritis.

People most at risk of de Quervain's tenosynovitis tend to be those whose occupations involve repetitive hand and wrist motions, such as carpenters and office workers. New parents can also develop this condition from holding and rocking their children. De Quervain's tenosynovitis occurs most often in women between the ages of 30 and 50.

How to Treat de Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
To reduce pain and swelling, initial treatment of de Quervain's tenosynovitis may include: immobilizing your thumb and wrist with a splint; avoiding repetitive thumb movements; applying heat to the affected area; using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs as prescribed by a physician. Once the pain and inflammation has subsided, the next course of treatment is strengthening and stretching exercises of the thumb and wrist.

How Peoplefit can help
Peoplefit Health and Fitness Center is devoted to improving the health and wellness of people in the greater Woburn community. We use our expertise to create safe and effective individualized exercise programs in order to help you reach your goals. If you would like to speak with a physical therapist about exercise and its effects on any health related condition, please contact us.