DE QUERVAIN'S TENOSYNOVITIS/ GAMER’S THUMB TREATMENT IN UK

The exact cause of De Quervain’s tenosynovitis (Radial tenosynovitis) is unknown. However, it usually results from:

• Playing video games
• A direct blow to the lower thumb
• Overuse
• Repetitive work involving wrist/ thumb
• Gardening
• Playing racket sports
• Lifting heavy baggage using its handle
• Inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis

As mentioned already, anyone can get radial tenosynovitis. However, the following factors make it more likely:

• Age – People between the age group of 30 to 50 are more prone to radial tenosynovitis.
• Gender – Females are ten times more likely to get radial tenosynovitis compared to males.
• Repetitive wrist movements either in work or leisure
• Motherhood – frequently lifting new-born can cause radial tenosynovitis.

If you are having radial tenosynovitis, you will experience pain and swelling:

• along the backside of the thumb
• on the side of your wrist
• below your thumb

This condition can take place suddenly or aggravate gradually. The pain will migrate into the thumb or your forearm. It may be painful or even hard to move the thumb. You may undergo discomfort while pinching or holding things. If you try to move your wrist or thumb forcibly, the pain may worsen.

Other symptoms include:

• Numbness at the backside of your thumb and index finger
• Catching or snapping sensation while moving the thumb
• A squeaking noise when the tendons move within the swollen sheath

Your physician will perform a range of tests to diagnose De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, like putting pressure on the thumb portion of your wrist and checking whether it evokes pain or not. Next, the physician will perform a Finkelstein test, where you will fold your thumb across the palm. Make a fist by bending your remaining fingers down over the thumb. While doing this, you will be stretching your tendons. If it hurts on the thumb portion of your wrist, you have radial tenosynovitis.

Usually, your physician does not require an X-ray test, MRI or ultrasound scan to diagnose this condition.

Radial tenosynovitis treatment aims at relieving pain and inflammation while moving your thumb. Similarly, the treatment should prevent the occurrence of this condition. Hence, you may first undergo the following conventional methods listed below:

Home treatment – R.I.C.E. formula

• Rest your wrist frequently, and don’t do anything that may worsen your pain, like holding or moving your thumb and fingers repetitively. Avoid activities that may irritate your tendon.
• Ice the injured area to reduce inflammation.
• Compression: Wear an elastic compression bandage to prevent swelling and inflammation.
• Elevation: While resting, place your wrist on two pillows while sitting or lying down.

Physical therapy and splint

Wear the splint to hold your wrist and thumb firmly. You can wear it round-the-clock for 4-6 weeks. You will be doing specific physical therapies provided by your physiotherapist to strengthen your arm, hand and wrist.

Medications

Your physician will prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to ease your pain and swelling.

Corticosteroid injections

Physicians may recommend steroids in case if medications don’t work.

However, the administration of medications and steroids for a prolonged duration may lead to severe complications. Hence, your physician will never recommend them for a longer duration.

Surgery

If all the above-listed modalities don’t provide any significant improvement, your physician may recommend surgery. The surgical method is comparatively successful at resolving this ailment. Surgery aims at releasing your tendon sheath. By doing so, the tendon will move smoothly. It is a same-day outpatient procedure, and you can go home within a few hours after the completion of surgery. Your stitches will be removed in 10-14 days. The pain and inflammation may subside immediately after the surgery. However, the surgical area may remain tender for a few months.

Furthermore, you will have to undergo post-surgical physical therapy that includes wrist and thumb strengthening exercises. You will be continuing these exercises for 6-8 weeks. You will also undergo stretches to move your tendons properly.

According to the research article published in the year 2003, surgery was performed to release tendons of the wrist’s first dorsal compartment. And what was the outcome? This surgery proved to be 96% successful among patients with radial tenosynovitis. They recovered entirely from the associated radial tenosynovitis symptoms.*

Radial tenosynovitis/ Gamer’s thumb responds well to treatment. However, if you leave it untreated, it may permanently restrict your wrist movements. Your tendon sheath may also burst in a severe condition. Hence, we recommend you to undergo appropriate treatment for radial tenosynovitis. Don’t let radial tenosynovitis worsen your wrist and lower thumb movements. Get an early diagnosis to undergo suitable and timely Gamer’s thumb treatment in the UK, Ireland and Dubai.