bone, joint, and muscle disorders
De Quervain Syndrome
Introduction
De Quervain syndrome is swelling and inflammation of the tendons or tendon sheaths that move the thumb outward. (See also Overview of Hand Disorders .) De Quervain syndrome usually occurs after repetitive use, particularly wringing, of the wrist. It often develops in new mothers, probably because they repeatedly pick up their baby by stretching out their arms and using only their wrists. It can also develop with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) . The main symptom of De Quervain syndrome is aching pain on the thumb side of the wrist and at the base of the thumb, which becomes worse with movement. The area at the base of the thumb near the wrist is also tender. Doctors diagnose De Quervain syndrome when they detect tenderness over the two tendons on the thumb side of the wrist, usually accompanied by swelling. To detect tenderness, doctors have people bend their thumb into their palm and wrap their fingers over the thumb. Then people bend their wrist away from the thumb. People are likely to have De Quervain syndrome if this movement causes pain at the same side of the wrist as the thumb. New mothers may be able to avoid this disorder if they use their entire arm and hold their wrists straight when they lift their baby. 