In the digital age, in which we use mobile phones, tablets, and computers every day, many people are beginning to meet the problem of pain in the wrist and the thumb more and more, particularly office employees, mothers after childbirth, and those who use their hands repeatedly on a regular basis. These symptoms may be a sign of "inflammation of the tendon of the wrist", or what doctors call De Quervain's Tenosynovitis, a condition often met but which many people do not yet know of and usually ignore until it becomes a chronic problem.
Check the symptoms! Are you at risk of inflammation of the tendon of the wrist?
Before we come to understand this condition more deeply, the important thing is to know whether you are in a risk group, and how you can check the early symptoms yourself. Knowing the symptoms and a simple test helps us receive treatment in good time.
The main risk groups for inflammation of the tendon of the wrist
Office employees who use a computer for long periods are the group at highest risk, since using a mouse and typing in the same posture repeatedly can cause inflammation of the tendon. Besides this there are other risk groups that should watch for this condition, namely:
- Mothers after childbirth – the change of hormones and carrying the child in a posture that uses the thumb as the point of support, and also carrying the child in an incorrect posture, which may affect back pain after childbirth as well, since abnormal use of the wrist and the arm affects the muscles of the shoulder, the neck, and the upper back
- Office employees – using a mouse and typing in the same posture repeatedly for long periods
- Those who use a mobile phone for long periods – the repeated movement of the thumb on a touch screen
- Athletes and those who exercise – activities requiring a tight grip or twisting of the wrist
- Craftspeople and those who use tools – using tools that require repeated squeezing or turning
How to do the self-test for wrist pain (Finkelstein's Test)?
The Finkelstein test is a simple method you can do yourself at home: bend the thumb into the palm, then use the other fingers to close over the thumb, and bend the wrist towards the little finger. If you feel a sharp or burning pain around the side of the wrist (the thumb side), it indicates that there may be inflammation of the tendon of the wrist, and a doctor should be consulted for correct diagnosis and treatment.
What is inflammation of the tendon of the wrist (De Quervain's Tenosynovitis)?
Inflammation of the tendon of the wrist, or De Quervain's Tenosynovitis, is an inflammation of the sheath covering the tendons that control the movement of the thumb, particularly the 2 tendons called Abductor Pollicis Longus and Extensor Pollicis Brevis, which pass along the side of the wrist near the thumb. When these tendon sheaths become inflamed and thicken, the tendons cannot move smoothly, and pain, swelling, and limited movement of the thumb and the wrist arise.
What causes inflammation of the tendon of the wrist?
Understanding the causes of inflammation of the tendon of the wrist helps us prevent it and care for ourselves effectively. The main causes come from several factors, most of which involve the use of the hand in daily life and physiological factors.
Using the wrist repeatedly in the same posture
Using the hand and the wrist repeatedly is the main cause most often met, such as typing, using a computer mouse, using a mobile phone or tablet, playing games, or doing craft work that requires the repeated use of tools. These movements cause friction and inflammation of the tendon sheath as time passes.
The change of hormones
Women in pregnancy or after childbirth are at higher risk than usual, since the change of the hormone oestrogen makes the various tissues, including the tendon sheath, become inflamed and swollen more easily. Besides this, carrying the child in an incorrect posture, or using the thumb as the point bearing the weight, is also an important contributing factor.
Accident and injury of the wrist
Impact or injury around the wrist and the thumb from an accident can cause inflammation of the tendon sheath, whether from falling onto the hand, playing a contact sport, or lifting something heavy in the wrong posture.
Other underlying conditions
Those with rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, or conditions causing inflammation of the joints are at higher risk than normal, since the body tends to become inflamed more easily.
How is inflammation of the tendon of the wrist treated?
Treatment of inflammation of the tendon of the wrist has several levels, and the doctor will choose the method of treatment according to the severity of the symptoms and the response to treatment at each step. Knowing the options in treatment helps the patient understand and take part in deciding on treatment appropriately.
Early treatment at home
The first treatment the patient can do themselves at home is an important and effective method if it is carried out correctly. Resting and avoiding the activities that make the symptoms worse is the first thing to do. A cold compress to reduce the inflammation should be done for 15-20 minutes at a time, 3-4 times a day, and wearing a splint or a wrist support to limit movement helps the tendon rest and the inflammation resolve. Besides this, gently stretching the tendon when the symptoms begin to improve, and taking painkillers available without a prescription, can also help relieve the symptoms.
Treatment with rehabilitation medicine
When early treatment is not enough, treatment with rehabilitation medicine is a highly effective option, such as western medical needling (Dry Needling), which helps release the tightness of the muscle and reduce the pain by stimulating the trigger points in the muscle; treatment with focused shockwave (Focused Shockwave Therapy), which helps stimulate the recovery of the tissue and reduce inflammation; therapy with a high-power laser (High Power Laser Therapy), which hastens the process of tissue repair; and stimulation with a magnetic field (PMS), which helps reduce inflammation and reinforce the working of the nerves.
Where the symptoms are severe, the doctor may consider a Hydrodissection injection, a technique of injecting saline around the area in order to separate the fascia compressing the nerve that is inflamed and stuck fast. Examination with high-frequency sound waves (Diagnostic Ultrasound) helps the doctor see the position to be treated precisely. All treatment should be carried out by a specialist physician in the field of rehabilitation medicine, so that the patient receives care that is effective and as safe as possible.
Treatment with surgery (if other methods do not work)
Surgery is the last option when treatment by other methods does not work within a period of 6-12 months, or when the symptoms are so severe that they significantly affect daily life. The surgery opens the tendon sheath so that the tendon can move freely. Although surgery has a high rate of success, it also carries risk and a longer period of recovery than other methods of treatment. Consulting a specialist physician to assess the necessity and the suitability of surgery is therefore important. After the surgery the patient will have to do physiotherapy to restore the movement and the strength of the hand and the wrist to normal.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about inflammation of the tendon of the wrist
When inflammation of the tendon of the wrist is met, patients usually have several questions about treatment and self-care. Correct answers help make the treatment more effective.
How many days before inflammation of the tendon of the wrist resolves?
The length of time to resolution depends on the severity of the symptoms and the treatment. Slight symptoms may improve within 2-3 weeks if rest and suitable care are given, but if the symptoms are chronic it may take several months of treatment. Receiving treatment from a specialist helps reduce the time of recovery significantly.
Is it necessary to see a doctor?
If the pain has lasted more than 1-2 weeks without a sign of improvement, or the symptoms are so severe that the hand cannot be used normally, a specialist physician should be consulted. Correct diagnosis and treatment from early on prevents the symptoms from becoming a chronic problem.
Can I exercise as normal?
Exercise that uses the hand and the wrist heavily should be avoided in the first stage of treatment, but other activities that do not affect the wrist can be done, such as walking, riding a stationary bicycle, or exercising the legs. When the symptoms improve, the hand can gradually be used as normal again.
Summary
Inflammation of the tendon of the wrist is a health problem often met in the present age, particularly among working people and those who use digital devices regularly. Knowing the symptoms, the causes, and the correct methods of treatment helps you manage this problem effectively. If you have symptoms of inflammation of the tendon of the wrist, you should not leave it, because it may become a chronic problem that is harder to treat.
Consulting a specialist physician and treatment with modern technology helps you recover faster and return to living normally. At PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic, the clinic with expertise in rehabilitation medicine, we are ready to give comprehensive care from examination and diagnosis through to treatment with advanced technology, so that the patient receives the most effective treatment and returns to a good quality of life that lasts.
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