WHAT IS IT?
A tendon is a fibrous tissue whose role is to connect muscle to a bone. Excessive straining of any muscle can over time cause a tendinitis, which is an inflammation of a muscle tendon. When repetitive movements occur or when a muscle is solicited in an inadequate manner, it can produce microscopic lesions and subsequently cause inflammation in the tendon.
De Quervain’s tendinitis mainly affects the tendons of the thumb, specifically the tendons of the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis muscles (see image on the right). These two muscles, which run side by side, are both responsible for the movement of the thumb away from the hand.
The tendons of these muscles travel in a very small fibrous tunnel and repeated friction of the tendons against the tunnel in which they run is what can lead to a tendinitis.
With De Quervain’s, the pain is usually felt on the thumb side of the wrist, and can radiate into the forearm.
 In addition, the pain usually intensifies with movements of the thumb, rotation of the wrist or making a fist, and may be accompanied by tingling on the dorsal side of the thumb and hand. Symptoms may also include swelling near the base of the thumb.
RISK FACTORS:
Any activity that relies on repetitive thumb or wrist movement such as repeatedly pinching, squeezing, screwing, handling small objects, using scissors, or even texting on a phone can increase the risk of a De Quervain’s tendinitis.
WHAT DO PHYSIOTHERAPY TREATMENTS CONSIST OF?
Firstly, physiotherapy treatments will aim to reduce the pain and inflammation present with the use of electrotherapy (such as ultrasound or TENS), ice and proper education regarding the activities that may worsen your condition and thus that should be avoided for the time being. Then, your therapist will use a wide array of manual therapy and muscle relaxation techniques, and will prescribe effective stretching and muscle strengthening exercises specific to the condition. Therefore, please consult a Forcemedic physiotherapist as soon as possible for a quick recovery!