DeQuervain's Tendinitis
I saw a hand surgeon today, and the diagnosis is DeQuervain's Tendinitis. What the hell is it? Well, here is a description from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons:
http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/brochure/thr_report.cfm?Thread_ID=52&topcategory=Hand
DeQuervain's stenosing tenosynovitis is an irritation and swelling of the sheath or tunnel which surrounds the thumb tendons as they pass from the wrist to the thumb. Pain when grasping or pinching and tenderness over the tunnel are the most common symptoms. Sometimes a lump or thickening can be felt in this area. If the hand is made into a fist with the thumb "tucked in" and bent towards the little finger, the pain gets worse (Finkelstein test). Tendonitis may be caused by overuse and also can be seen in association with pregnancy or inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid disease. If treated early, many cases improve with short periods of rest in a splint, followed by stretching exercises designed to get the tendons gliding. Injection with steroids and/or taking anti-inflammatory medications. More severe cases or those that do not respond to other treatment may require surgery. Modification of the activities which caused the symptoms initially also may be required.
I received a cortisone shot in my wrist this morning. The Dr. said the wrist should start feeling better mid week or the end of this week. What a relief! I am on the road to recovery.
9 comments:
I was also diagnosed w/ this form of tendonitis last week...although it appears mild. I'm a drummer by night and programmer by day...my hands are very over-used. I attribute this sudden problem to atrophy...or at least I hope it's that simple. I've been into weightlifting, regularly, since I was 14. Over the past year I haven't been to the gym once...and I've felt myself thinning out over that time. Do you think lifting might do the trick? How long did it take you to recover? I've been icing my arms and wrists every night and taking advil every 4 hrs. for the past week...it seems to be improving quickly but still not 100% there.
I would follow your doctor's advice for the best way to treat this. I have been weightlifting for the past 20 years, and due to the years of wear and tear, my joints and tendons are more prone to injury. I am 44 yrs old now, so my body does not recover like it used to. I actually got DQT from falling in a parking lot and bracing myself with my wrist. I did not think much about the fall until my doctor asked me if I fell recently. It took me a while to remmber when this happened. My DQT happened in May 2006. When winter 2006 came, my wrist got stiff and I thought I would have to go back to the doctor. I was able to work through it and in the Spring of 2007 everything was fine. I am currently getting physical therapy for elbow tendinitis. My PT said my DQT is healed OK. Good luck to you. I would say it took me a good 9 months to fully recover. Follow your doctors advice.
Thanks for the reply! I'm 29 and have been an avid weight-lifter since age 14. Perhaps this contributed to the problem? I always practice good technique and am very careful not to over-train...but I wonder if all those years of working out made me more prone to tendonitis? I was also diagnosed w/ intersecting tendonitis on the same hand...it was pretty bad for a few weeks. I've had a few straight days w/o any pain or stiffness and I've been able to get back to drum practice the last few nights...so it appears that I'm on the mend. Good luck to you too! Thanks!
My family doctor recommended a very good hand doctor/surgeon who has successfully diagnosed and treated my DQT in May 2006 and biceps tendonitis in Dec 2006. I had to take 2 months off from working out my upper body to heal my biceps tendon. My doctor did state that weight lifters are more prone to tendonitis. It is simply a repetitive overuse injury. I am 44, still work out regulary, but work out smarter, try not to overdo it, and call my doctor sooner rather than later.
Have you heard of, or used an herbal supplement called "Cissus"? It's the herbal compound cissus quadrangularis, which is anti-inflammatory and rushes blood to the tendons, to speed healing. I don't want to jinx myself, but I've been taking it for about 2 weeks and I noticed a difference right away. While it wasn't a scientific study (I took a couple days off from drumming here-and-there, rested, changed my diet, etc.) - I think it was the biggest factor in recovering as quickly as I am now. Here's what I've been taking: http://www26.netrition.com/primaforce_cissus.html
I intend to try the "Super Cissus" product that USP Labs produces, which is supposedly better quality. However, I can't argue w/ results, thus far. I'm back to drumming 2+ hrs. at night! Just thought you might be interested!
Thanks for the info. That is the first time I have heard about Cissus. Glad to hear it is helping you out. Merry Christmas!
New News! I thought I'd shoot you this thread I started on a drum forum I frequent. ASTYM is amazing!
http://drummerworld.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34740
Zambizzi, as always, thanks for commenting on my little blog. ASTYM must be a new PT treatment option. I just finished 6 weeks PT for my elbow tendonitis, one cortisone shot from my doc, and 2 final weeks of PT. My elbow feels much better now, but I have not really field tested it yet. I have not worked out in about 3 months. My PT said breaking up scar tissue was one of his goals. He used ultrasound and massaged the elbow tendon, but the cortisone shot was what really helped.
Of course! The problem w/ cortisone, prednisone, and other steroids is; they're temporary. The effects only last so long and they prevent inflammation - which as I understand it, is how these things heal. I would definitely ask around about ASTYM. I had my fifth treatment today...and this week alone I've worked out twice and been through at least 2 hrs. of drum practice every night. No pain. The best part is; it's a long-term solution and you're *encouraged* to be as active as phyiscally possible during recovery.
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