De Quervain’s syndrome is a painful condition of the hand related to inflammation of the sheaths lining two tendons found on the medial (inner) side of the wrist that control thumb movements.
Technically, this is called “stenosing tenosivitis” of the extensor tendon short (extensor pollicis brevis) and abductor tendonlong (abductor pollicis longus) of the thumb.
De Quervain’s syndrome can be of varying severity and duration and can affect anyone, but generally the likelihood of suffering from it increases with age, in pregnant women, in those who perform repetitive twisting movements of the wrist and hand or make intense use of the thumb in professional or sports settings, and in those with other conditions (osteoarthritis of the hand, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, etc.).
