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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