DeQuervain's syndrome (patient information)
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What is DeQuervain's syndrome?
How do I know if I have DeQuervain's syndrome and what are the symptoms of DeQuervain's syndrome?
Patients with DeQuervain's syndrome may experience the following symptoms:
- Pain: Pain at the base of the thumb is the main symptom of DeQuervain's syndrome. The pain may be sudden or gradual, and may spread further into the thumb or the forearm.
- Tenderness and swelling around thumb.
- Loss of function in the thumb
Who is at risk for DeQuervain's syndrome?
The cause of DeQuervain's syndrome is the following:
- Overuse of the wrist, activities such as that involve frequent lifting, wringing or peeling. For example, new mother is at risk of developing DeQuervain's syndrome.
- Eccentrical load on the wrist, activities such as lowering a child or putting a heavy stack of plates down.
- Some occupations, such as office workers, musicians, carpenters.
How to know you have DeQuervain's syndrome?
- Medical history including location of pain, decreased or loss of function in the hand
- Finkelstein’s test: This test is common used to diagnose DeQuervain's syndrome. In this test, the patient makes a fist with the fingers over the thumb then bents the wrist towards the little finger. Pain on the thumb side of the wrist means a positive result and suggests the diagnosis of DeQuervain's syndrome.
When to seek urgent medical care?
Call your health care provider if symptoms of DeQuervain's syndrome develop.
Treatment options
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for DeQuervain's syndrome?
Directions to Hospitals Treating DeQuervain's syndrome
Prevention of DeQuervain's syndrome
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Copyleft Sources
http://www.thestretchinghandbook.com/archives/quervains-syndrome.php
http://www.aidmytendon.com/writeups/de-Quervains-syndrome.php
http://www.rehabmed.net/patient_ed/dequervains_syndrome1.html