Suffering From a Swollen Thumb? Check for De Quervain's Tendinosis

Human body consists of tendons, tough tissues that connects muscle to bone and is responsible for withstanding tension. Sometimes, the tendon around the thumb gets irritated and swollen due to various reasons and this condition is known as De Quervain's tendinosis. The word tendinosis in itself means the swelling of the tendons. Swelling and compression of the tendon can cause pain and tenderness around the thumb and you experience the pain while forming a fist, trying to grip something and when trying to turn your wrist. 

However, the exact cause of this condition is not yet known, its cause is considered as any activity that depends on repetitive hand or wrist movement. These activities include doing household chores or working in the garden, playing, lifting things etc. All such activities can even worsen the pain in a person suffering De Quervain's tendinosis. This condition can further lead to Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in a person. It is a condition of hand and arm that causes numbness, tingling, weakness and other symptoms and is caused due to the pressure on the median nerve in your wrist. Various factors including structure of the wrist, certain health problems and possibly patterns of hand use contribute to this condition. 

Carpal tunnel is a thin passageway surrounded by bones and ligaments. It is located on the palm side of the wrist protecting the main nerve of hand and the nine tendons that help bend fingers. Compression of the nerve due to pressure causes numbness, tingling and weakness in the hand. Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome usually occur in the thumb, index finger, middle finger, and half of the ring finger. You can get relief by keeping your hand movement at rest. However, people suffering from this condition can get relieved with quick and proper treatment and can easily restore wrist and hand function actively. 

Dequervain’s Tendinitis- A Painful Condition Experienced in Hand

Hand is a major part of our body that has many functions like holding things, writing, eating and many other things. A small injury to our hand might lead to difficulty to do the mentioned functions. Every one of us has had minor problems with a finger, hand or wrist. We may not have any problem with our body movements but everyday wear and tear or overuse, we may develop certain symptoms or pain. We may also experience finger, hand or wrist problems due to injuries or aging. One of the sharp pains of the wrist is DeQuervain’s Tendinitis. It is caused when the tendons situated near the thumb are swollen and irritated. 

You may suffer hand problems due to various causes including injury and diseases. However, most of these causes can be treated and relieved. DeQuervain’s is a common condition that causes hand pain. In this condition, the pain may develop gradually or sometimes it may be sudden. If you have DeQuervain’s Tendinitis, then movements like making a fist, holding things, or turning the wrist may be painful. 

Another condition that may cause hand pain is Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. It is one of the most common nerve disorder causing pain in palm and some fingers of the hand, wrist or forearm. Patients with this condition feel the pain more at night than during the daytime. It may also cause weakness, tingling, and numbness in the hand. One may particularly feel the pain in the thumb, index finger, and the middle finger. This condition makes holding things difficult. 

Today, in the medical field a number of treatments are available for these hand problems and painful conditions. Some of the most common treatments include resting the hand and wrist, using anti-inflammatory or analgesic painkillers, injections, physical therapy etc. However, doctors recommend surgery if the symptoms exist for six months or more.

Dequervain’s Tendinitis - Pain in the Thumb Side of Wrist

De Quervain's Tendinitis is a health condition that occurs near your thumb side of your wrist. You suffer from it when the tendons around the thumb get irritated or constricted. The term "tendinosis" means swelling of the tendons. You might suffer from pain around the area of your thumb due to the swelling of the tendons and the tendon sheath. If you form a fist while carrying or holding something, or when turning the wrist, then it is an indication that you might be suffering from tendinosis.

Tendons are rope-like structures and they append muscle to bone. A layer of slippery and thin soft tissue called synovium allowing them to slide easily through a fibrous tunnel called sheath covers the tendons. You may suffer from thumb or wrist pain if there is any swelling in the tendons or clotting of the sheath.

Over use of your thumb or wrist may lead to De Quervain's tendinosis. It may also cause due to pregnancy and rheumatoid disease. It is most commonly visible in middle-aged women. You can approach for both non-surgical and surgical treatment for it.

Your wrist may also suffer from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. It is a painful progressive condition resulted due to the compression of a vital nerve in the wrist. You may suffer from this pain when the median nerve of the forearm gets pressed or squeezed at the wrist. Carpal tunnel is a narrow tube of ligament and bones; swelling or thickening of the tendons narrow down the tube resulting in to the compression of the median nerve.

The compression of the median nerve further results into pain, weakness or numbness in the hand and wrist, searing up the arm. You can prevent Carpal Tunnel Syndrome by performing stretching exercises, wearing splints to keep wrists straight, and using correct posture and wrist position.