DE QUERVAIN’S DISEASE
Description
- Non inflammatory thickening of the tendons of the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis due to myxoid degeneration
- Characterised by pain and swelling over the radial styloid process
- Patients often complaints of pain near the base of thumb with an associated swelling
- It is common in women of age 30-50 years & those with occupation involving repetitive movements of the wrist
Etiology
- Exact cause is unknown
- Repetitive/prolonged abduction and extension of the thumb; often seen in golfers and tennis players, individuals who text a lot
- Direct injury to wrist
- Inflammatory arthritis
Types
- Swelling near the base of thumb
- Numbness along the back of thumb and index finger
- Pain with or without swelling of the radial styloid
- Catching/snapping feel on moving thumb
- Pain typically increases with gripping or rotating the wrist
- O/E - Tenderness over radial styloid and fusiform swelling
- The syndrome commonly occurs during and after pregnancy
Differential diagnosis
- Osteoarthritis of the first carpo-metacarpal joint
- Intersection syndrome—pain will be more towards the middle of the back of the forearm and about 2–3 inches below the wrist
- Wartenberg's syndrome – pain over the distal radial forearm associated with parasthesia
Investigation
- H/o injury or overuse
- Finkelstein test- Examiner grasps the affected thumb and exerts longitudinal traction across the palm of the hand towards the ulnar side, which causes pain
- CBC, CRP, ESR – in infectious synovitis
- X Ray – Assessment of possible bone involvement
Treatments
- Anti inflammatory
- Immobilization of thumb and wrist
- Apply ice to affected area
- Corticosteroid injection
- Splinting with thumb Spica brace
- Surgery - if non surgical treatment has failed and with persistent inflammation
Ayurvedic Treatment
Internal medicines
- Amrutothara Kashaya
- Guggulutikthaka Kashaya
- Punarnavadi Kashaya
- Balarishta
- Lakshadi guggulu
- Simhanada guggulu
- Gandha taila
- Aswagandha choorna + milk
Procedures
- Upanaha
- Patra potala Sweda/ Jambeera Pinda Sweda
- Agnikarma with Salaka /Madhu /Gudam
- Chronic cases- Taila Seka with Kottamchukkadi Taila/ Karpooradi Taila/ Ksheerabala Taila
Department
Salya Tantra
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