DeQuervain’s Syndrome
DeQuervain’s syndrome (also known as washerwoman’s sprain or De Quervain’s disease), named for Swiss surgeon Fritz De Quervain who first identified it in 1885, is an inflammation of the sheath or tunnel that surrounds two tendons that control movement of the thumb. It is caused by the repetitive motion of the thumb constantly being required to move up and down (usually associated with using a computer keyboard or typewriter). It can be included in a loose group of conditions called Repetitive Strain Injuries.
Symptoms are pain and swelling over the thumb side of the wrist, possibly numbness on the back of the thumb, and difficulty gripping.
The general condition of progressive restriction of the sheath surrounding a tendon is called Stenosing tenosynovitis. Another common diagnosis in this area is trigger finger.
Article text based on the Wikipedia, licensed under the GFDL. See “DeQuervain’s syndrome” at Wikipedia.org.
DeQuervain’s Syndrome Links
- DeQuervain’s Syndrome Clinical Resources
- A listing of clinical resources for the diagnosis & treatment of DeQuervain’s Syndrome.
- DeQuervain’s Syndrome Self Care Program
- A booklet that contains tips and techniques for achieving relief from the symptoms of DeQuervain’s Syndrome. By Sharon Butler.
- Health Library: deQuervain’s Syndrome
- An article discussing the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of deQuervain’s Syndrome.
- deQuervain’s Tendinitis
- An article discussing deQuervain’s tendinitis, with illustrations.
- DeQuervain’s Tendonitis
- A personal blog entry, and subsequent discussion, about DeQuervain’s.