

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.
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
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
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 The old theory that it was caused by wringing out cloth diapers has been replaced by concerns about holding the baby, but changes in hormones and swelling seem more probable.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:


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’
Treatments that attempt to change the course of the disease include:
© 2012 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Developed by the ASSH Public Education Committee
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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