De Quervain's Tenosynovitis
Have you ever felt pain in your hand or wrist while doing daily activities? If so, then de Quervain's tenosynovitis may be the culprit. This syndrome causes the tendons in your hand to swell up. The result of this condition is extreme discomfort and pain in your wrist. It can be very annoying, but it does not last for too long and treatments are available. It is not a life-threatening condition and once it is treated it usually does not come back. This article will explain de Quervain's tenosynovitis and the treatment for the syndrome.
De Quervain's tenosynovitis is a syndrome that causes the tendons, connective tissue between the muscle and bone, in the thumb side of the hand or wrist to become inflamed or swollen, causing extreme pain. It is usually caused by strain that is put on these tendons. Doing a lot of lifting objects can cause de Quervain's tenosynovitis.
The condition is not life-threatening at all, though it can be extremely painful and annoying to the person affected by it. The condition is mainly treated by splinting, ice, anti-inflammation medication, cortisone injection (which is generally considered the best treatment), and the tried and proven treatment: rest. Cortisone injection usually heals the affected area within three weeks. Only in extreme cases can surgery be used for the area. In these cases, rigid casts may be needed to help healing.
Once treated, de Quervain's tenosynovitis usually does not come back. On average the syndrome usually lasts about one year, but the pain can be kept dampened for a long time during the time the condition is present.
If you are diagnosed with de Quervain's tenosynovitis, there is no need to worry. The pain is extremely annoying, but treatments usually lessen the pain. Once the syndrome has disappeared, it usually does not reappear.