FOCUS | CLINICAL ‘ The side of my wrist hurts’ De Quervain’s tenosynovitis Victoria Allbrook WHILE THERE ARE MANY REASONS for radial extensor tendons are divided into six wrist pain, De Quervain’s tenosynovitis compartments as they cross the dorsum is a common pathology and is described of the wrist. The first dorsal compartment Background Radial-sided wrist pain is a common as stenosing tenosynovitis of the tendons comprises the extensor pollicis brevis patient complaint that can have a within the first dorsal compartment of the (EPB) and the abductor pollicis longus dramatic effect on the patient’s wrist.1 The prevalence of De Quervain’s (APL) tendons. They lie within a closed productivity at work, sporting or artistic tenosynovitis in adults of working age fibrous sheath or tunnel with a synovial pursuits and activities of daily living. (18–65 years) in the general population is lining3 that is approximately 2.2 cm 4 Objective approximately 1.3% of women and 0.5% in length. This tunnel lies over the The aim of this article is to outline of men, with peak prevalence at the age of radial styloid and under the extensor key principles in the assessment 40–60 years.2 retinaculum, which can cause tendon and treatment of De Quervain’s gliding difficulties and entrapment of tenosynovitis. the tendons when thickening of the Aetiology 3 Discussion sheath occurs. Thickening of the tendon The correct diagnosis of this debilitating While the exact cause of De Quervain’s sheath and therefore narrowing of the tendon condition and the seeking of early tenosynovitis is still debated, possible tunnel occurs because of the presence treatment yields excellent outcomes for aetiologies include acute injuries (eg blunt of fibrocartilage, which is a response to patients. While there are numerous trauma, biomechanical compression), the shear and compression forces placed possible aetiologies, the pathophysiology forceful repetition of the wrist and on the tendons. Neovascularisation is is defined as a stenosing condition of the first dorsal compartment. thumb leading to increased frictional also seen in patients with De Quervain’s Assessment elicits pain over the radial forces or microtrauma (eg workplace- tenosynovitis. It is important to note that styloid that is caused by the restricted related activity, actions performed by this increase in vascularity in the tendons glide of the tendons. Ultrasonography new mothers), inflammatory diseases, is not associated with inflammation has been shown to be useful in anatomical variations, abnormalities of or tissue repair and is responsible for diagnosis and treatment planning, the first dorsal compartment and, rarely, some of the pain experienced with this especially if an intercompartmental pathogens.1,3 condition. Histopathology may also septum is present. Treatment involves corticosteroid injections and orthoses show signs of chronic overuse within the prescriptions. These should not be tendon substance resulting in myxoid used in isolation; many other therapy Pathophysiology degeneration.5 techniques have been shown to be The pathophysiology of De Quervain’s Many studies have looked at anatomical effective in the management of tenosynovitis is generally defined in variations and at the prevalence of an De Quervain’s tenosynovitis. the literature as a stenosing condition intercompartmental septum within the of the first dorsal compartment.1 The first dorsal compartment. The prevalence © The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners 2019 REPRINTED FROM AJGP VOL. 48, NO. 11, NOVEMBER 2019 | 753 FOCUS | CLINICAL DE QUERVAIN’S TENOSYNOVITIS of a septum ranges from 24% to 91% in flexes the thumb across the palm.9 These septums with ultrasonography.14 the literature.1,6 Many authors link the last two stages can indicate more chronic Identification of a septum is important presence of a septum to an increased disease. The authors report the manoeuvre when treatment for De Quervain’s likelihood of developing De Quervain’s provides an accurate diagnosis while tenosynovitis may include a corticosteroid tenosynovitis and also to the success of minimising patient discomfort in both injection. This will ensure the injection will different treatment types.1,6 Those with acute and chronic cases of De Quervain’s infiltrate both compartments and increase an unidentified septum will not respond tenosynovitis9 and allows for easy the chance of symptom resolution without as well to corticosteroid injections1,6 comparison to the contralateral side. the need to progress to more aggressive because only one compartment tends to be Plain radiographs are not helpful in the forms of treatment.6,8,10 injected.5 Those with a septum will need diagnosis of De Quervain’s tenosynovitis both compartments surgically released; but may help to rule out other pathologies therefore, it is important to identify the associated with radial wrist pain.13 Treatment septum pre-operatively.7 Differential diagnosis for De Quervain’s Treatment options for De Quervain’s tenosynovitis includes:8,10,12 tenosynovitis will depend on the severity • intersection syndrome of the condition, but non-operative Assessment • osteoarthritis of the first management is preferred. Options Patients present with pain and swelling carpometacarpal for conservative management over their radial styloid that is exacerbated • osteoarthritis of the scaphoid- include prescription of nonsteroidal with thumb motion and wrist deviation.8 trapezoid-trapezium joint anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroid Patients often report difficulties with • trigger thumb injections and referral to occupational or activities that involve grasping, twisting • superficial radial nerve neuritis hand therapy for fabrication of an orthosis and lifting.9 Physical examination may (Wartenberg’s syndrome) (splint) and further treatment.10 reveal tenderness on palpation over the • fractures of the scaphoid or radial first dorsal compartment;10 if swelling is styloid. Splinting present, it is usually 1–2 cm proximal to Ultrasonography has been shown to be Splinting for De Quervain’s tenosynovitis the radial styloid following the course of highly effective in the diagnosis and has been found to decrease pain while the EPB and APL tendons.8 Finkelstein’s treatment planning of De Quervain’s increasing patients’ ability to continue to test, first described in 1930, has long been tenosynovitis6 as well as being much more participate in activities of daily living.15 used by clinicians in suspected cases of cost effective for patients. Ultrasonography Wearing splints will assist by preventing De Quervain’s tenosynovitis.11 A positive is reported to be useful in reviewing aggravating movements of the thumb test will elicit pain along the radial wrist thickening of the tendons and narrowing and wrist that lead to stenosis of the first when the thumb is held into flexion across of the fibro-osseous canal as well as dorsal compartment, facilitating rest and the palm and the wrist is moved into ulnar identifying anomalies in tendon slips. Good recovery.16 The splint must immobilise deviation by the examiner (Figure 1).12 specificity and sensitivity has been reported the wrist and thumb, excluding the Eichoff’s test is very similar but requires with identifying intercompartmental thumb interphalangeal joint, in order to the patient to hold their own thumb into flexion using their other fingers while deviating the wrist into ulnar deviation.9 Pain is caused by the restricted glide of the tendons as they lie in their now narrower compartment.10 The contralateral side should always be assessed, as false-positive results can be seen with this manoeuvre in patients with asymptomatic wrists.9 In their 2010 article, Dawson et al describe a staged approach to Finkelstein’s test,9 which may help to eliminate this. This manoeuvre starts with the patient actively ulnarly deviating their wrist over the edge of a table. In acute presentations this may be enough to elicit pain and the assessment can be halted. If there is no pain, the examiner then passively deviates the Figure 1. Finkelstein’s test wrist. Finally, the examiner passively 754 | REPRINTED FROM AJGP VOL. 48, NO. 11, NOVEMBER 2019 © The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners 2019 DE QUERVAIN’S TENOSYNOVITIS FOCUS | CLINICAL offload the APL and EPB tendons. Splints • Taping using either kinesiology tape alone.5,15,19 The addition of exercises has can either be rigid thermoplastic types or rigid tape is used during the splint also been shown to improve longevity of (Figure 2) or ‘off the shelf’ types made weaning phase or in very mild cases pain relief versus steroid injection plus of semi-stiff fabric with metal bars for of De Quervain’s tenosynovitis.18 splinting.10 As previously mentioned, support (Figure 3). Choosing the type of Taping (Figure 4) can also provide ultrasonography-guided injections are splint is dependent on the severity of pain proprioceptive feedback and assist beneficial, especially in the presence of and the functional needs of the patient. For with activity modification. an intercompartmental septum.6,8,10,16 example, new mothers with De Quervain’s • Graded pain-free active exercises Care should be taken to review the tenosynovitis will often find it difficult to promote gliding of the tendons.10 complications of multiple corticosteroid use a rigid splint. • Eccentric and isometric exercises injections with patients. Side effects can Splinting regimens also vary depending are gaining more popularity in the include subcutaneous