Patients › Wrist
Tenosinovitis de De Quervain
Patient-facing topic on De Quervain's tenosynovitis (first dorsal compartment) — diagnosis, conservative management, and indications for de Quervain's release.
Qué está sintiendo¶
La tenosinovitis de De Quervain provoca dolor en el lado del pulgar de la muñeca, cerca de la base del pulgar. Esa zona también puede sentirse sensible y ligeramente hinchada. El problema se origina en un canal estrecho por donde se deslizan dos tendones del pulgar; cuando ese canal se irrita, los tendones se traban al moverse.
Ciertos movimientos empeoran el dolor: doblar la muñeca hacia el lado del meñique, agarrar algo con fuerza mientras se dobla la muñeca, o juntar el pulgar e índice. Es posible que note el dolor al levantar una tetera, girar un picaporte, cargar a su bebé o usar tijeras. En algunas personas, el dolor se intensifica al despertar o después de realizar actividades prolongadas.
No existe una relación clara entre esta afección y el tipo de trabajo o una lesión específica. Puede aparecer junto con otros problemas de muñeca, aunque con frecuencia se desarrolla de forma independiente.
Por lo general, su cirujano puede diagnosticarla al examinar la muñeca y determinar el lugar exacto del dolor. No se requieren estudios de imagen cuando el cuadro clínico es evidente; estos solo se usan si se debe descartar otra patología, como una fractura previa o artritis en la base del pulgar.
La mayoría de las personas que comprenden esta afección optan primero por tratamientos sencillos; en la mayoría de los casos los síntomas desaparecen en el transcurso de un año. La inyección de esteroides en el canal afectado es el primer paso habitual; tras dos inyecciones, el 73,4 % de los pacientes experimentan alivio. El uso de férula por sí solo es menos eficaz que la inyección.
Si el dolor es intenso o le impide realizar sus actividades cotidianas, se podría considerar una cirugía para liberar el canal comprimido. Este procedimiento se denomina liberación del primer compartimento extensor y constituye el tratamiento estándar cuando las inyecciones no han surtido efecto suficiente.
¿Qué está ocurriendo realmente?¶
Los dos tendones que mueven el pulgar hacia afuera y lejos de la mano atraviesan un túnel estrecho en el lado del pulgar de la muñeca. Imagine los tendones como cuerdas lisas y el túnel como una correa de polea que los mantiene cerca del hueso. En esta afección, el túnel se vuelve estrecho y engrosado, por lo que las cuerdas pierden su capacidad de deslizarse con facilidad.
La fricción entre el tendón y el túnel provoca hinchazón en ese espacio. Con el tiempo, la vaina tendinosa misma se modifica: se vuelve densa y fibrosa, y el tejido adquiere una textura similar a un gel. Los tendones también pueden desarrollar bandas pegajosas que los adhieren a la pared del túnel. El resultado es un canal comprimido y estrecho; cada movimiento del pulgar hace que los tendones hinchados pasen a través de él. Esa tracción irrita los receptores del dolor en dicha zona, motivo por el cual los movimientos de pellizcar y agarrar mencionados anteriormente resultan dolorosos.
En algunas personas, el túnel es naturalmente estrecho. Alrededor de un tercio de la población presenta una pared adicional en su interior que divide el espacio en dos compartimentos; además, algunas personas tienen tendones adicionales que comparten ese espacio reducido. Estas variaciones se observan en ambas muñecas en ciertas personas, y aumentan la probabilidad de congestión en el túnel.
Esta afección suele denominarse tenosinovitis, término que sugiere inflamación del revestimiento tendinoso. En realidad, los cambios tisulares se asemejan más al desgaste y la degeneración que a una inflamación clásica. La hinchazón y el engrosamiento son reales, pero se deben a la degradación de la vaina tendinosa bajo carga, no a una simple reacción inflamatoria.
El dolor no indica que haya sufrido una lesión por uso excesivo de la muñeca. No existe una relación clara entre el uso de la mano en el trabajo o alguna lesión específica y esta afección. Es más frecuente en mujeres y puede aparecer tras otros problemas de muñeca, como una fractura tratada quirúrgicamente.
Qué podemos hacer al respecto¶
El Dr. Kieran Hirpara, cirujano de extremidades superiores en el Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton, comienza con las opciones menos invasivas que se adapten a su condición. Por lo general, los pacientes son derivados a nuestra clínica por su médico de cabecera; si un fisioterapeuta le ha sugerido que nos consulte, igualmente necesitará una derivación de su médico de cabecera para poder acceder al reembolso de Medicare. En su primera visita, tomamos su historia clínica, examinamos su muñeca y solicitamos estudios de imagen solo si es necesario. Dado que este problema es crónico y no se trata de una lesión reciente, normalmente iniciamos con tratamiento no quirúrgico.
Los primeros pasos son medidas que usted mismo puede tomar. Descansar el pulgar y la muñeca ayuda; además, una férula tipo “spica” para el pulgar mantiene ambos inmóviles, permitiendo así que el túnel comprimido se recupere. La férula puede aliviar el dolor mientras se usa, pero deja de ser eficaz en cuanto las articulaciones vuelven a moverse libremente. La terapia de la mano puede combinarse con una inyección; esta combinación ha demostrado reducir el dolor en las pruebas clínicas [2]. También existen tratamientos en los que se introduce una crema medicada en la piel mediante una pequeña corriente eléctrica, o en los que se aplican ondas sonoras en la zona afectada; estos métodos pueden mejorar el funcionamiento de la muñeca y disminuir el dolor.
El tratamiento médico principal consiste en una inyección de cortisona dentro del túnel. La cortisona es un potente antiinflamatorio que reduce la inflamación alrededor de los tendones. Una sola inyección alivió los síntomas en el 82 % de los pacientes, y más de la mitad de ellos permanecieron asintomáticos durante al menos 12 meses. Si usted padece diabetes, una sola inyección tiene menos probabilidades de ser efectiva; no obstante, las inyecciones repetidas no pierden su eficacia. La combinación de la inyección con el uso de una férula resulta más eficaz que la inyección sola. Otros tipos de inyecciones, como el ácido hialurónico o el PRP, no forman parte del tratamiento que ofrecemos para esta afección.
Si el tratamiento no quirúrgico no le ha proporcionado suficiente alivio, hablaremos sobre la cirugía. La operación consiste en liberar el túnel comprimido para que los tendones vuelvan a deslizarse libremente; se considera cuando las inyecciones y el uso de férulas no han logrado controlar los síntomas. Antes de que usted tome una decisión, analizaremos junto a usted en qué consiste la intervención, cómo será la recuperación y cuáles son los resultados esperados.
Qué esperar¶
En la mayoría de las personas, esta afección mejora con el tiempo. La mayor parte de los pacientes observan que sus síntomas desaparecen en el transcurso de un año. Muchas personas logran controlarla sin necesidad de cirugía: solo alrededor de un tercio de quienes padecen esta condición requieren una operación en los dos años siguientes; cuando sí es necesaria, suele producirse durante el primer año.
El objetivo del tratamiento es acortar ese período de recuperación. La inyección de cortisona, acompañada de un breve período de inmovilización con férula, constituye el pilar del tratamiento inicial y resulta eficaz para la mayoría de los pacientes. Si la primera inyección alivia los síntomas pero el dolor vuelve a aparecer, una segunda inyección sigue siendo una opción razonable. Aunque la tasa de éxito disminuye con inyecciones repetidas, estas siguen siendo una herramienta útil.
En personas con diabetes, una sola inyección tiene menos probabilidades de controlar los síntomas que en otras personas. La buena noticia es que las inyecciones posteriores no pierden su efecto en diabéticos, por lo que repetir el tratamiento sigue siendo beneficioso.
La cirugía se reserva para ese pequeño grupo cuyo dolor no cede con inyecciones ni con el uso de férulas. En esos casos, la liberación del túnel comprimido brinda alivio duradero a los tendones; además, la operación presenta una baja tasa de complicaciones.
La forma en que uno percibe la afección también influye. Las personas que anticipan los peores resultados suelen reportar más dolor y menor funcionalidad; por ello, tener una visión clara de lo que les espera les ayuda a elegir el tratamiento que mejor se adapte a su vida. No hay evidencia que respalde la idea de que el uso excesivo haya dañado la muñeca; saber esto puede disipar parte del miedo ante los episodios de dolor.
No existe un cronograma único y garantizado. Algunas muñecas responden rápidamente a la inyección; otras requieren una dosis adicional, y unas pocas terminan necesitando cirugía. Cuando esta afección se maneja adecuadamente, lo habitual es que el dolor disminuya y los tendones vuelvan a deslizarse sin problemas. Si no se interviene, la mayoría de los casos también mejoran en el transcurso de un año; sin embargo, durante ese tiempo el paciente puede tener que convivir con molestias durante varios meses.
¿Cuándo consultar a un especialista?¶
Acuda a su médico de cabecera si el dolor en el lado del pulgar de la muñeca persiste o reaparece, o si le impide realizar sus actividades habituales a pesar del reposo y el uso de una férula. Solicite una evaluación especializada si las inyecciones no han mejorado los síntomas, o si el dolor es tan intenso que limita el uso diario de la mano. En algunos casos, los síntomas mejoran por sí solos en el transcurso de un año; sin embargo, esperar no es la única opción, ya que el tratamiento puede acortar ese período. Si nota entumecimiento, hormigueo o sensaciones inusuales en el pulgar o la muñeca que no se ajustan al patrón habitual, mencione esto durante la consulta, pues otras afecciones de la muñeca a veces pueden simular esta condición.
En mayor profundidad¶
Esta sección profundiza más de lo necesario para que usted tome sus propias decisiones terapéuticas. La tenosinovitis de De Quervain merece esta lectura adicional debido a una pequeña variante anatómica que explica gran parte de la insatisfacción postoperatoria, a pesar de que el procedimiento en sí es bastante fiable; además, el mejor resultado sin intervención quirúrgica se logra combinando dos tratamientos en lugar de optar por uno solo.
La combinación de ambos tratamientos es más eficaz que cualquiera por separado¶
El primer compartimento dorsal contiene dos tendones dentro de un túnel situado en el lado del pulgar de la muñeca. El objetivo del tratamiento es reducir la inflamación en dicho túnel y disminuir la carga que soporta.
Un metaanálisis de red realizado con 823 pacientes concluyó que la inyección de corticoides junto con un período breve de inmovilización sigue siendo el tratamiento principal y eficaz, siendo la terapia con ondas de choque extracorpóreas una opción secundaria [1]. Al analizar cada componente por separado, los enfoques que combinan el uso de órtesis e inyección de corticoides resultan más eficaces que cualquiera de las intervenciones por sí solas [2].
Esto constituye una indicación más precisa que el consejo genérico de “probar primero con una férula y, si no funciona, aplicar una inyección”. La evidencia científica respalda la aplicación conjunta de ambas medidas, utilizando la férula durante un breve período tras la inyección.
Vale la pena aplicar una segunda inyección¶
Cuando los síntomas reaparecen, lo lógico es pensar que las inyecciones han fracasado y optar por la cirugía. Sin embargo, los datos obtenidos de un gran grupo de pacientes indican lo contrario: aunque la tasa de éxito disminuye con múltiples inyecciones, las inyecciones repetidas siguen teniendo una alta tasa de éxito y constituyen una opción clínica viable [3].
Es normal que el éxito disminuya con el uso repetido de inyecciones. No obstante, una tasa de éxito menor no equivale a ineficacia; por ello, aplicar una segunda inyección sigue siendo una medida razonable, y no una mera táctica para retrasar el tratamiento.
La variante que explica la mayoría de las decepciones quirúrgicas¶
La liberación del primer compartimento dorsal es eficaz; cuando no da resultados satisfactorios, suele haber una razón específica. La insatisfacción puede deberse a una liberación incompleta, a la subluxación de los tendones, a lesiones nerviosas o simplemente a la duración de la recuperación. Además, la existencia de una vaina del extensor pollicis brevis no identificada ni liberada constituye una causa concreta de insatisfacción [4].
Esto merece ser analizado en profundidad, pues es el dato más relevante de esta sección. En una proporción considerable de pacientes, el compartimento no es un único túnel, sino dos; el tendón del extensor pollicis brevis discurre en su propia vaina, separada de las demás. Una liberación que abra únicamente el compartimento principal deja intacta esa segunda vaina, de modo que el tendón permanece comprimido. Se abre la muñeca, se completa la intervención según lo descrito, pero los síntomas persisten.
Esta es también la razón por la que las otras dos causas mencionadas son importantes: una liberación excesiva permite que los tendones se subluxen fuera de su canal al mover la muñeca, provocando un chasquido doloroso; además, la rama superficial del nervio radial discurre justo sobre el campo operatorio. Por ello, el compartimento debe abrirse por completo, pero sin excesos, teniendo en cuenta la presencia del nervio; esto explica por qué una intervención aparentemente menor requiere el mismo cuidado que una más compleja.
No todo el dolor en la zona radial de la muñeca se debe al síndrome de De Quervain¶
El dolor en esta zona presenta varias posibles causas que vale la pena conocer, ya que los tratamientos difieren: la artritis en la base del pulgar, el síndrome de intersección a unos pocos centímetros más arriba en el antebrazo, y la irritación del nervio radial pueden provocar dolor en zonas similares. Una sensibilidad localizada exactamente sobre dicha zona, junto con dolor que se reproduce al desviar la muñeca hacia el lado cubital con el pulgar metido en la palma, son indicadores de que el problema radica en la vaina tendinosa y no en otras estructuras cercanas.
Referencias¶
[1] Chong HH, Pradhan A, Dhingra M, Liong W, Hau MY, Shah R. Avances en el tratamiento de la tenosinovitis de De Quervain: un metaanálisis de red integral de ensayos controlados aleatorizados. J Hand Surg Am. 2024;49(6):557-69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhsa.2024.03.003
[2] Cavaleri R, Schabrun SM, Te M, Chipchase LS. Terapia de la mano frente a inyecciones de corticoides en el tratamiento de la enfermedad de De Quervain: una revisión sistemática y metaanálisis. J Hand Ther. 2016;29(1):3-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jht.2015.10.004
[3] Hassan K, Sohn A, Shi L, Lee M, Wolf JM. Tenosinovitis de De Quervain: evaluación de la epidemiología y utilidad de múltiples inyecciones mediante una base de datos nacional. J Hand Surg Am. 2022;47(3):284.e1-284.e6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhsa.2021.04.018
[4] Rogozinski B, Lourie GM. Insatisfacción tras la liberación del compartimento dorsal primario por tendinopatía de De Quervain. J Hand Surg Am. 2016;41(1):117-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhsa.2015.09.003
Evidence & references
This is the clinical evidence summary written for health professionals. It is technical, and it lists the research this page was built from. You do not need to read it to understand your treatment or to make a decision about it.
Overview¶
Anatomy¶
- Anatomical variations in the first extensor compartment are clinically relevant to the pathophysiology and treatment of De Quervain's tenosynovitis [1].
Non-Operative Management¶
- Corticosteroid injection is the only available nonsurgical treatment that can potentially modify the course of de Quervain's tenosynovitis [2].
- Corticosteroid injection with a short duration of immobilization is the primary and effective treatment for de Quervain tenosynovitis [14].
- The success rate for treating De Quervain's tenosynovitis decreases with multiple injections [25].
- Repeat injections for De Quervain's tenosynovitis have a high rate of success and are a viable clinical option [25].
- Patients presenting with de Quervain's tenosynovitis may favor initial nonsurgical management [8].
Operative Management¶
- Surgical release of De Quervain's tenosynovitis remains the gold standard treatment [6].
- Longitudinal incision for surgical release offers the advantage of easy identification of the compartment [6].
- Longitudinal incision for surgical release offers the advantage of more complete releases of tendon sheath and peritendinous adhesions [6].
- Longitudinal incision for surgical release offers the advantage of less risk of palmar subluxation of tendons [6].
- Release of the first extensor compartment for refractory de Quervain's disease results in good clinical outcomes with minimal morbidity [12].
- Endoscopic release of the extensor compartment is an effective and safe procedure for patients with de Quervain's disease who are unresponsive to nonoperative treatments [28].
- Endoscopic release of the extensor compartment is associated with a slight increase in operation time compared to open release [28].
- Endoscopic release for de Quervain's tenosynovitis provides earlier improvement after surgery compared with open release [30].
- Endoscopic release for de Quervain's tenosynovitis is associated with fewer superficial radial nerve complications compared with open release [30].
- Endoscopic release for de Quervain's tenosynovitis is associated with greater scar satisfaction compared with open release [30].
- Pulley reconstruction should be considered part of the surgical treatment for de Quervain tenosynovitis [4].
- Pulley reconstruction for de Quervain tenosynovitis provides satisfactory medium-term results [4].
Patient Factors and Outcomes¶
- Patients who scored lower than 40 for physical function had significantly increased odds of eventually undergoing surgical release for de Quervain tenosynovitis [23].
- Patients who scored higher than 60 for pain interference had significantly increased odds of eventually undergoing surgical release for de Quervain tenosynovitis [23].
- Addressing misconceptions about the consequences of de Quervain's tenosynovitis and symptom duration allows patients to make informed decisions about treatment [5].
Anatomy & Pathophysiology¶
Anatomical Variations¶
- The EPB tendon is the most dorsal tendon in the first dorsal compartment and can be identified by its distally oriented muscle fibers [15].
- The APL tendon has no muscular fibers in the area of the first dorsal compartment [15].
- Separate compartments for the EPB and APL tendons are occasionally found, requiring identification of a septum [15].
- If the EPB tendon is absent, the floor of the compartment may show a Y-shaped tendinous insertion of the brachioradialis tendon [15].
- The superficial branch of the radial nerve is expected to be encountered in more than 50% of patients undergoing surgery for De Quervain's tenosynovitis [58].
- The radial artery courses dorsally just beyond the radial styloid, requiring caution during septum resection [15].
Pathological Mechanisms¶
- De Quervain's syndrome is defined as inflammation of the APL and EPB tendons in the first dorsal compartment caused by friction within a tight osteoligamentous tunnel [3].
- Friction between the APL and EPB tendons leads to compromised blood flow and nutrition, resulting in adhesion development and tendon stenosis [3].
- De Quervain's syndrome may involve myxoid degeneration, a process where connective tissues are replaced by a gelatinous or mucoid substance [3].
- De Quervain's syndrome is associated with trauma, extensor carpi ulnaris involvement, ligament instability, and repetitive strain [3].
- Tenovaginitis in the first extensor compartment is characterized by thickening of the fibrous sheath [11].
- De Quervain's disease results from anatomical factors associated with mechanical stressors [43].
- Women are more affected by De Quervain's disease than men due to manual work influencing first compartment dynamics [43].
- Training intensity is a major factor in determining De Quervain's disease in volleyball players [43].
- Wrist position influences the excursion of the extensor pollicis brevis tendon [44].
- Stenosing tenosynovitis causes a significant decrease in maximum velocity during slow fist tasks [48].
Classification¶
Anatomical Variations and Pathophysiology¶
- De Quervain's syndrome is defined as a condition originating when the abductor pollicis longus (APL) and extensor pollicis brevis (EPB) tendons in the first dorsal compartment become inflamed through friction within a tight osteoligamentous tunnel [3].
- The condition is characterized by compromised blood flow and nutrition, leading to adhesions and tendon stenosis [3].
- De Quervain's syndrome may represent a myxoid degeneration, defined as a degenerative process where connective tissues are replaced by a gelatinous or mucoid substance [3].
- Terminology for the condition varies, including tendinosis (degeneration without inflammation), tendinopathy (injury to the tendon), and tenosynovitis (inflammation or thickening of the fibrous sheath wall) [3].
- De Quervain's syndrome may not be an isolated pathology and has been associated with trauma, extensor carpi ulnaris involvement, ligament instability, and repetitive strain [3].
- The prevalence of a septated first dorsal compartment is considerably higher in patients with De Quervain tenosynovitis than previously reported [42].
- An intracompartmental septum between the APL and EPB tendons is present in a mean of 43% of wrists in cadaveric studies, with a range of 20% to 75% [17].
- The presence of an intracompartmental septum detected by ultrasound is associated with the failure of ultrasound-guided steroid injection [17].
- In a prospective study, 22 of 30 wrists (73%) that failed nonsurgical treatment and underwent operative release were found to have a separate compartment for the extensor pollicis brevis [32].
- The prevalence of a separate extensor pollicis brevis compartment in patients failing nonsurgical treatment is significantly higher than in the general population [32].
- In cases where constriction involves only the extensor pollicis brevis in a separate compartment, exploration of both compartments is advised [18].
- Radial styloid abnormalities do not affect the outcome of management for de Quervain's disease [10].
Epidemiology and Risk Factors¶
- The unadjusted incidence rate of de Quervain's tenosynovitis in a young, active population was 0.94 per 1000 person-years [31].
- The unadjusted incidence rate for female patients was 2.81 per 1000 person-years, compared with 0.62 per 1000 person-years for male patients [31].
- The adjusted incidence rate ratio for females, with males as the referent category, was 4.45 (95% CI 4.28, 4.62) [31].
- The highest incidence rate was observed in the ≥40-year-old group at 1.37 per 1000 person-years [31].
- The adjusted incidence rate ratio for the ≥40-year-old group, compared to the <20-year-old group, was 3.65 (95% CI 3.26, 4.09) [31].
- Non-white race is a risk factor for de Quervain's tenosynovitis, with an adjusted incidence rate ratio of 1.31 (95% CI 1.21, 1.42) for black race and 1.17 (95% CI 1.05, 1.25) for other races compared to white race [31].
- De Quervain's syndrome affects approximately 1.3% of women and 0.5% of men in a population of adults of working age [17].
Diagnostic and Clinical Considerations¶
- Routine wrist radiography prior to surgeon evaluation is wasteful as patients do not benefit from the resulting radiologic data [7].
- Addressing misconceptions about the consequences of de Quervain's tenosynovitis and symptom duration allows patients to make informed treatment decisions [5].
- Patients with a physical function score lower than 40 or a pain interference score higher than 60 on PROMIS measures had significantly increased odds of undergoing surgical release [23].
Clinical Presentation¶
Anatomy and Pathophysiology¶
- De Quervain's syndrome is defined as a condition where the abductor pollicis longus (APL) and extensor pollicis brevis (EPB) tendons in the first dorsal compartment become inflamed through friction, leading to pain [3].
- In De Quervain's syndrome, blood flow and nutrition become compromised, causing adhesions that lead to tendon stenosis [3].
- The condition is referred to by various terminologies including tendinosis, tendinopathy, and tenovaginitis/tenosynovitis [3].
- Fritz de Quervain described pain over the first dorsal compartment as a tenosynovitis following repetitive activity in 1895 [3].
- Theodor Kocher described de Quervain's as a "fibrous tendovaginitis" around the same time, noting that his patients lacked a history of repetitive strain [3].
- The pain in de Quervain's disease is attributed to friction of the EPL and APB against the pulley of zone 7 of the first extensor compartment [35].
- This friction results in initial tendinopathy followed by reactive thickening of the pulley [35].
- A septum can be present between the EPB and APL tendons within the first dorsal compartment [35].
- The EPB tendon is very small in bulk, while the APL has a variable number of tendons in its final portion at insertion [35].
- De Quervain's syndrome may not be an isolated pathology and may be associated with trauma, extensor carpi ulnaris involvement, ligament instability, or repetitive strain [3].
Clinical Symptoms and Signs¶
- Patients with de Quervain's tenosynovitis mostly complain of soreness and tenderness on the radial side of the distal radius [35].
- Symptoms are exacerbated by ulnar deviation of the thumb [35].
- Symptoms are exacerbated by a strong grasp combined with flexion and radial deviation of the wrist [35].
- Symptoms are exacerbated by firm pinching together of the index finger and thumb [35].
- Physical examination reveals tenderness and swelling directly over the first dorsal compartment [35].
- Palpation findings include feeling for moving nodularity, tendon rub, or popping directly over the tendon [38].
Diagnostic Testing¶
- Finkelstein's test is described as the standard test to confirm the diagnosis of de Quervain's tenovaginitis [35].
- The WHAT test (wrist hyperflexion and abduction of the thumb) is a more specific and sensitive test to diagnose de Quervain tenosynovitis than Eichhoff’s Test [35].
- Finkelstein's test is superior to Eichhoff's test in the investigation of de Quervain's disease [38].
- The clinical diagnosis of de Quervain's tenosynovitis involves pain and tenderness over the radial styloid and either pain at the radial styloid reproduced by resisted thumb extension or a positive Finkelstein's test result [26].
- Using the asymptomatic thumb as a standard measure to identify the symptomatic thumb's impairments associated with de Quervain's disease may be invalid [39].
Imaging¶
- Plain radiographic findings do not routinely predict the need for surgery or alter treatment courses in the initial diagnosis of De Quervain's tenosynovitis [37].
- In a study of 200 patients, 69.1% had at least one positive radiographic finding, with carpometacartic joint arthritis being the most common finding seen in 30.9% of cases [37].
- No radiographic findings altered the course of treatment in patients with isolated De Quervain's tenosynovitis [37].
Patient Factors and Perception¶
- More negative perceptions of the consequences of de Quervain's tenosynovitis are associated with worse pain and reduced function at baseline in patients awaiting surgical decompression [21].
- Worse pain catastrophizing is associated with worse pain and reduced function at baseline in patients awaiting surgical decompression of de Quervain's tenosynovitis [21].
Investigations¶
Imaging¶
- Ultrasound is a useful imaging technique for diagnosing de Quervain's disease and provides important information about anatomic variations within the first extensor compartment [40].
- Ultrasound is a worthwhile preoperative investigation in case of de Quervain's disease [41].
- Styloid abnormalities do not affect the outcome of management for de Quervain's disease [10].
Anatomical Variations¶
- Anatomic variations in the first extensor compartment are clinically relevant in the pathophysiology and treatment of De Quervain's tenosynovitis [1].
- The presence of a septum does not significantly affect clinical outcomes or complications following endoscopic release for de Quervain's syndrome [20].
- When the extensor pollicis brevis tendon is associated with thumb interphalangeal joint extension, it is likely to reside in a subcompartment of the first dorsal compartment, particularly in patients with de Quervain's disease [46].
Treatment¶
Non-Operative¶
- Injection of corticosteroids is the only available nonsurgical treatment that can potentially modify the course of de Quervain's tenosynovitis and is the preferred initial treatment [2].
- One or two local injections of 1 ml triamcinolonacetonide 10 mg/ml provided by general practitioners lead to short-term improvement in participants with de Quervain's tenosynovitis compared to placebo [19].
- Corticosteroid injections are a useful treatment for de Quervain's tenosynovitis, leading to treatment success 73.4% of the time within 2 injections [13].
- Pain and clinical outcomes significantly improved after corticosteroid injection in de Quervain's disease [29].
- Although the success rate for the treatment of De Quervain's tenosynovitis decreases with multiple injections, repeat injections have a high rate of success and are a viable clinical option [25].
- Patients with diabetes mellitus have a decreased probability of success following a single corticosteroid injection for de Quervain tenosynovitis in comparison to nondiabetic patients [27].
- The effectiveness of each additional corticosteroid injection does not appear to diminish in patients with diabetes mellitus [27].
- The presence of an intracompartmental septum detected by ultrasound is associated with the failure of ultrasound-guided steroid injection in de Quervain’s syndrome [17].
- Providers should remain cognizant that patients presenting with de Quervain's tenosynovitis may favor initial nonsurgical management [8].
- Addressing misconceptions about de Quervain's tenosynovitis in terms of the consequences for patients and how long their symptoms will last should allow patients to make informed decisions about the treatment that best matches their values [5].
- The practice of obtaining routine wrist radiography prior to surgeon evaluation is wasteful as patients do not benefit from the resulting radiologic data [7].
Operative¶
- Longitudinal incision offers the advantage of easy identification of the compartment, more complete releases of tendon sheath and peritendinous adhesions, and less risk of palmar subluxation of tendons [6].
- The release of the first extensor compartment for refractory de Quervain's disease resulted in good clinical outcomes with minimal morbidity [12].
- Endoscopic release of the extensor compartment is an effective and safe procedure in patients with de Quervain's disease who are unresponsive to nonoperative treatments [28].
- Endoscopic release of the first extensor compartment is associated with a slight increase in operation time compared to open release [28].
- Pulley reconstruction should be considered part of the surgical treatment for de Quervain tenosynovitis and gives satisfactory medium-term results [4].
- Anatomic variations are frequently encountered in recalcitrant cases of de Quervain tenosynovitis [50].
- Examples of anatomic variations encountered in recalcitrant cases include multiple slips of the abductor pollicis longus and the extensor pollicis brevis in its own separate compartment [50].
- Outcomes for surgical treatment of de Quervain tenosynovitis are generally excellent [50].
- Complications of surgical treatment for de Quervain tenosynovitis include iatrogenic injury to the superficial branch of the radial nerve, tendon subluxation, complex regional pain syndrome, and recurrence due to incomplete release [50].
- The dorsal retinaculum is released during surgical treatment to prevent volar tendon subluxation [50].
- Surgical decompression should be considered if corticosteroid injection fails [17].
- The volarly based retinacular flap must remain over the released tendons to prevent volar tendon subluxation during surgical release [15].
- The first dorsal compartment is opened on its dorsoulnar side during surgical release [15].
- If the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis tendons cannot be easily retracted from the radial styloid, the surgeon should look for additional “aberrant” tendons and separate compartments [15].
- Releasing the extensor pollicis brevis tendon first and then the abductor pollicis longus usually reveals the presence or absence of a septum [15].
- If there is no extensor pollicis brevis present, the surgeon should inspect the floor of the compartment for the footprint of the brachioradialis tendon [15].
- The brachioradialis tendon has a Y-shaped tendinous insertion, and if this is clearly seen, release of this compartment is assured [15].
- Resection of a pronounced septum is warranted during surgical release, ensuring not to injure the underlying radial artery coursing dorsally just beyond the radial styloid [15].
Complications¶
Anatomical Variations and Surgical Risks¶
- The longitudinal incision technique creates a longer area in which skin scar may make cutaneous nerves more subject to scar adherence [15].
- The radial artery courses dorsally just beyond the radial styloid and must be avoided during septum resection [15].
- The volarly based retinacular flap must remain over the released tendons to prevent volar tendon subluxation [15].
- A longitudinal incision offers a less risk of palmar subluxation of tendons compared to other approaches [6].
Diagnostic and Anatomical Complications¶
- Finkelstein's test is a descriptive error that can produce a false positive [9].
- Extensor pollicis longus tenosynovitis can mimic de Quervain's disease because of its course through the first extensor compartment [9].
- The prevalence of a separate compartment for the extensor pollicis brevis is significantly higher in patients with unsatisfactory non-operative outcomes than in the general population [32].
- An intracompartmental septum is present in a mean 43% of wrists in cadaveric studies, with a range of 20 to 75% across different series [17].
Treatment-Related Complications and Outcomes¶
- Patients with diabetes mellitus have a decreased probability of success following a single corticosteroid injection for de Quervain tenosynovitis compared to nondiabetic patients [27].
Recovery¶
Non-Operative¶
- Corticosteroid injection with a short duration of immobilization remains the primary and effective treatment for de Quervain tenosynovitis [14].
- According to the limited evidence available, injection of corticosteroids is the only available nonsurgical treatment that can potentially modify the course of de Quervain's tenosynovitis and is therefore the preferred initial treatment [2].
- Corticosteroid injections lead to treatment success 73.4% of the time within 2 injections [13].
- Most informed patients initially elect symptomatic treatment for de Quervain's disease, and most experience symptom resolution within one year [33].
Operative¶
- Endoscopic release for de Quervain's tenosynovitis seems to provide earlier improvement after surgery, with fewer superficial radial nerve complications and greater scar satisfaction, when compared with open release [30].
- Pulley reconstruction should be considered part of the surgical treatment for de Quervain tenosynovitis, as the technique gives satisfactory medium-term results [4].
Patient Factors and Prognosis¶
- Patients who scored lower than 40 for physical function or higher than 60 for pain interference had significantly increased odds of eventually undergoing surgical release for de Quervain tenosynovitis [23].
- More negative perceptions of the consequences of de Quervain's tenosynovitis and worse pain catastrophizing are associated with worse pain and reduced function at baseline in patients awaiting surgical decompression [21].
Key Evidence¶
- [L4] These variations are clinically relevant in the pathophysiology and treatment of De Quervain's tenosynovitis. [1] (10.1016/j.bjps.2016.08.020)
- [L4] According to the limited evidence available, injection of corticosteroids is the only available nonsurgical treatment that can potentially modify the course of de Quervain's tenosynovitis and is therefore the preferred initial treatment. [2] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2008.12.030)
- [L4] [3] (10.1177/1758998315599796)
- [L4] The authors believe the technique gives satisfactory medium-term results and should be considered part of the surgical treatment for de Quervain tenosynovitis. [4] (10.1055/s-0035-1556862)
- [L3] Addressing misconceptions about de Quervain's tenosynovitis in terms of the consequences for patients and how long their symptoms will last should allow patients to make informed decisions about the treatment that best matches their values. [5] (10.1097/corr.0000000000001577)
- [L4] Surgical release of De Quervain's tenosynovitis remains the gold standard treatment, and longitudinal incision offers advantage of easy identification of compartment, more complete releases of tendon sheath and peritendinous adhesions and less risk of palmar subluxation of tendons. [6] (10.1007/s12306-018-0585-1)
- [L3] The practice of obtaining routine wrist radiography prior to surgeon evaluation is wasteful as patients do not benefit from the resulting radiologic data. [7] (10.1055/s-0037-1606124)
- [L4] Providers should remain cognizant that patients presenting with de Quervain's tenosynovitis may favor initial nonsurgical management. [8] (10.1016/j.jhsg.2024.01.009)
- [L4] [9] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2014.09.024)
- [L4] Though considered as a manifestation of de Quervain's disease by some authors, styloid abnormalities do not affect the outcome of management as proved in this study. [10] (10.1007/s11552-010-9258-8)
- [L4] [11] (10.1054/jhsb.1999.0277)
- [L4] The release of the first extensor compartment for refractory de Quervain's disease resulted in good clinical outcomes with minimal morbidity. [12] (10.4055/cios.2014.6.4.405)
- [L3] This study indicates that corticosteroid injections are a useful treatment for de Quervain's tenosynovitis, leading to treatment success 73.4% of the time within 2 injections. [13] (10.1177/1558944716681976)
- [L1] Corticosteroid injection with a short duration of immobilization remains the primary and effective treatment for de Quervain tenosynovitis. [14] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2024.03.003)
- [L3] [17] (10.1177/1753193415611414)
- [L4] In cases with symptoms of de Quervain's syndrome where the constriction involves only the extensor pollicis brevis in a separate compartment, exploration of both compartments is advised. [18] (10.2106/00004623-194931040-00019)
- [L1] One or two local injections of 1 ml triamcinolonacetonide 10 mg/ml provided by general practitioners leads to improvement in the short term in participants with de Quervain's tenosynovitis when compared to placebo. [19] (10.1186/1471-2474-10-131)
- [L4] The presence of a septum does not significantly affect clinical outcomes or complications following endoscopic release for de Quervain's syndrome. [20] (10.1177/17531934231214137)
- [L3] More negative perceptions of the consequences of de Quervain's tenosynovitis and worse pain catastrophizing are associated with worse pain and reduced function at baseline in patients awaiting surgical decompression of de Quervain's tenosynovitis. [21] (10.1097/corr.0000000000000992)
- [L4] Patients who scored lower than 40 for physical function or higher than 60 for pain interference had significantly increased odds of eventually undergoing surgical release for de Quervain tenosynovitis. [23] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2023.07.005)
- [L2] Although the success rate for the treatment of De Quervain's tenosynovitis decreases with multiple injections, repeat injections have a high rate of success and are a viable clinical option. [25] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2021.04.018)
- [L1] [26] (10.1002/14651858.cd005616.pub2)
- [L4] Patients with diabetes mellitus have a decreased probability of success following a single corticosteroid injection for de Quervain tenosynovitis in comparison to nondiabetic patients, but the effectiveness of each additional injection does not appear to diminish. [27] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2022.02.018)
- [L4] Endoscopic release of the extensor compartment seems to be an effective and safe procedure in patients with de Quervain's disease who are unresponsive to nonoperative treatments, despite a little increase in operation time. [28] (10.1016/j.bjps.2011.05.015)
- [L1] Pain and clinical outcomes significantly improved after corticosteroid injection in de Quervain's disease. [29] (10.1016/j.otsr.2019.11.015)
- [L1] Endoscopic release for de Quervain's tenosynovitis seems to provide earlier improvement after surgery, with fewer superficial radial nerve complications and greater scar satisfaction, when compared with open release. [30] (10.1302/0301-620x.95b7.31486)
- [L2] [31] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2008.08.020)
- [L4] Most informed patients initially elect symptomatic treatment for de Quervain's disease, and most experience symptom resolution within one year. [33] (10.1007/s12593-009-0018-3)
- [L2] [35] (10.1177/1753193412475043)
- [L4] [37] (10.1055/s-0040-1716522)
- [L3] [38] (10.1055/s-0038-1626690)
- [L3] This finding may question the validity of using the asymptomatic thumb as a standard measure to identify the symptomatic thumb's impairments associated with de Quervain's disease. [39] (10.1197/j.jht.2008.03.004)
- [L5] Ultrasound is a useful imaging technique for diagnosing de Quervain's disease and provides important information about anatomic variations within the first extensor compartment. [40] (10.1136/bcr-2021-242173)
- [L4] Ultrasound is a worthwhile preoperative investigation in case of de Quervain's disease. [41] (10.1007/s12593-009-0001-z)
- [L3] The prevalence of a septated first dorsal compartment is considerably higher than previously reported, most notably in patients with De Quervain tenosynovitis. [42] (10.1177/1558944718810864)
- [L4] [43] (10.1177/0363546504268134)
- [L4] In vivo EPB tendon excursion measures have been quantified, and wrist position has been found to have an influence on excursion. [44] (10.1016/j.jht.2017.12.004)
- [L4] When it does, particularly in patients with de Quervain's disease, it is likely to reside in a subcompartment of the first dorsal compartment. [46] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2008.12.015)
- [L3] Those subjects demonstrate a significant decrease in maximum velocity in slow fist tasks, highlighting the need for comprehensive assessment to ascertain the full extent of functional limitations that can occur in the setting of hand pathology. [48] (10.1177/1558944717729218)
- [L2] The anatomical findings are consistent with previous studies, with an expectation to encounter the superficial branch of the radial nerve in more than 50% of patients. [58] (10.1055/s-0039-1688700)
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