de Quervain disease
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Synopsis
de Quervain disease, also known as de Quervain tenosynovitis, is a common and painful condition of the first dorsal compartment of the wrist, which contains 2 tendons: the abductor pollicis longus (APL) and the extensor pollicis brevis (EPB). Despite its name, the condition is usually not an inflammatory process.Causes / typical injury mechanism: Most commonly due to overuse activities or heavy gripping, eg, household duties, typing, lifting, golfing, racket sports, or skiing.
Classic history and presentation: Gradual onset of pain on the radial side of the wrist, worsened when grasping, lifting, or ulnar deviating.
Prevalence:
- Age – Most prevalent in middle age.
- Sex / gender – 4-6 times more common in women than men.
- Laterality – The dominant hand is most often affected.
Pathophysiology: Due to narrowing of the fibro-osseous canal within the first dorsal compartment of the wrist, the APL and EPB are unable to glide smoothly, resulting in pain. This resistance is due to a fibroblastic response secondary to repetitive tension on the involved tendons.
Codes
ICD10CM:M65.4 – Radial styloid tenosynovitis [de Quervain]
SNOMEDCT:
21794005 – Radial styloid tenosynovitis
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Diagnostic Pearls
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
- Thumb carpometacarpal arthritis
- Intersection syndrome
- Radial styloid fracture
- Scaphoid fracture
- Radial neuritis
- Flexor carpi radialis tendinitis
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Last Reviewed:09/08/2021
Last Updated:09/19/2021
Last Updated:09/19/2021