De Qurevain's tenosynovitis
De Qurevain’s tenosynovitis is inflammation in the tendon sheath of the muscles responsible for straightening the thumb or moving it away from the fingers. There is pain and tenderness over the back of the wrist, and sometimes the inflammation can be felt as a coarse vibration when the thumb is moved, as the roughened tendon and sheath move over each other. It may improve on rest and by using anti-inflammatory agents, and injection with steroid may help. Severe and persistent cases may require surgery and immobilisation of the arm. The cause is unknown but it frequently follows prolonged periods of overuse (such as unaccustomed use of a heavy paintbrush to paint a large wall).
|
