De Quervain Syndrome treatment by Dr. William Van Wyk
De Quervain Syndrome treatment by Dr. William Van Wyk

De Quervain’s Syndrome

Hand and Finger Procedures & Conditions | Dr. William Van Wyk, DFW Hand Surgeon

De Quervain’s Syndrome

Hand and Finger Procedures & Conditions | Dr. William Van Wyk, DFW Hand Surgeon

De Quervain’s Syndrome, also known as De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis are actually the same condition. Both terms refer to an inflammation of the tendons in the wrist and thumb, specifically the abductor pollicis longus (APL) and extensor pollicis brevis (EPB) tendons. This inflammation causes pain and swelling at the base of the thumb and wrist, making it difficult to move the thumb and wrist. Patients with de Quervain syndrome have painful tendons on the thumb side of the wrist. Tendons are the ropes that the muscle uses to pull the bone. You can see them on the back of your hand when you straighten your fingers. With de Quervain’s syndrome, the tunnel (the first extensor compartment) (see Figure 1) where the tendons run narrows due to the thickening of the soft tissues that make up the tunnel. Hand and thumb motion cause pain, especially with forceful grasping or twisting.

Fig. 1 - De Quervain Syndrome treatment by Dr. William Van Wyk

The first and third dorsal compartments house tendons that control the thumb in de Quervain’s tenosynovitis, this is where the tendons can run narrow.

Click image to enlarge
Photo Credit: American Society for Surgery to the Hand

Fig. 2 - De Quervain Syndrome treatment by Dr. William Van Wyk

The first and third dorsal compartments house tendons that control the thumb in de Quervain’s tenosynovitis, this is where the tendons can run narrow.

Click image to enlarge
Photo Credit: American Society for Surgery to the Hand

Fig. 3 - De Quervain Syndrome treatment by Dr. William Van Wyk

Pain with this motion, a hammering motion with the thumb in the fist, is characteristic of de Quervain’s tenosynovitis (aka de Quervain’s syndrome.

Click image to enlarge
Photo Credit: American Society for Surgery to the Hand

Causes of de Quervain’s syndrome

Doctors are not sure what causes de Quervain’s syndrome. Patients often describe a feeling of inflammation, but studies have shown that the process is not inflammatory. People of all ages get it. When new mothers develop de Quervain syndrome, it typically appears 4 to 6 weeks after delivery. The old theory that it was caused by wringing out cloth diapers has been replaced by concerns about holding the baby, but changes in hormones and swelling seem more probable.

De Quervain’s Syndrome Treatment

Treatments that can relieve symptoms of De Quervain’s Syndrome include:

  • A splint that stops you from moving your thumb and wrist.
  • Tylenol or aspirin type medications (e.g., ibuprofen).
Dr. Van Wyk confirms health insurance issues for you. - DFW Hand Surgeon Dr William Van Wyk
Dr. Van Wyk confirms health insurance issues for you. - DFW Hand Surgeon Dr William Van Wyk

Dr Van Wyk and his staff are the only ones who have Completed my Insurance/STD paperwork timely

Healthgrades Review, Nov 2, 2023

It starts with the Staff. His staff is excellent. 1) If there in office they Answer. 2) If its clinic day or there out, they got back to me timely. 3) No answering machine, an actual Answering Service who will text Dr or staff your issue. Dr Van Wyk was thorough with my exam, explained options and procedure process for each option. He scheduled me for additional tests to ensure his diagnosis. The staff even checked with the referred test center to make sure they took my insurance, something I have had issues with my other doctors’

offices lately which have caused delays in my heart test, hand and elbow surgeries and back surgery. The Heart doctor and my regular physician scheduled me for test with out of network clinics/specialists delaying all my procedures months. UNBELIEVABLE! But Dr VanWyks staff have worked w/me scheduling me ASAP in between the other Drs issues. Dr Van Wyk and his staff are the only ones who have Completed my Insurance/STD paperwork timely which has saved me losing benefits.    

Treatments that attempt to change the course of the disease include:

  • A cortisone-type of steroid injection into the tendon compartment. It has not been clearly established that these injections change the course of the disease and response to the injection varies.
  • Surgery to open the tunnel and make more room for the tendons.

© 2012 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Developed by the ASSH Public Education Committee

Dr. William Van Wyk - Dallas-Fort Worth Hand Surgeon
Dr. William Van Wyk - Dallas-Fort Worth Hand Surgeon

Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon Specializing in Hand & Upper Extremity Surgery in Fort Worth Since 1977

Dr. Van Wyk is a hand and upper extremity specialist actively practicing in Fort Worth since 1977. Dr. Van Wyk is board-certified in orthopedic surgery and has practiced in that specialty. He passed the added qualification in hand surgery exam and has limited his practice to 100% hand and upper extremity surgery.

In Dr. Van Wyk’s practice, upper extremity surgery refers to the elbow, forearm, wrist and hand. As a hand specialist, he sees approximately 300 hand patient visits per month and performs on average 90-100 surgical procedures per month. Dr.Van Wyk is a member of the American Society for Surgery the Hand, American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery, the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery, Fort Worth-Dallas Hand Association, the American Medical Association, and the Tarrant County Medical Association.

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