Synonyms
- Tendovaginitis stenosans de Quervain
- Quervain disease
- Tendon bottleneck syndrome
Definition
Tendovaginitis de Quervain is a tendosynovitis of the extensor tendons of the thumb, which run in the first tendon compartment on the wrist. These tendons are the attachment points of the muscles responsible for stretching and abduction of the thumb. The disease is characterized by strong painfulness during certain movements in the wrist and thumb.
It was named after the Swiss surgeon de Quervain, who first described the disease in 1896. The tendons of the stretching muscles of the forearm run up to their attachment points on the fingers in tendon sheaths, which in turn are fixed to the hand by a connective tissue plate (retinaculum extensorum). It must be noted that tendovaginitis stenosans is usually caused by overloading the flexor muscles of the hand. On the one hand, this can happen due to overstraining at work, in which case tendovaginitis stenosans would be considered an occupational disease (e.g. in athletes, craftsmen, pianists, etc.). Often, however, the fingers are exposed to mechanical overload during leisure time, e.g. during sports activities such as climbing or also when working in the private sector, so that the inflammation mentioned above occurs in the area of the tendon sheaths.
Symptoms
The affected persons usually complain about strong shooting pains with certain movements of the hand, which occur at the thumb side. In addition, the so-called Finkelstein sign can be triggered. This sign describes a strong, electrifying pain in patients with Tendovaginitis de Quervain, when they bend their wrist jerkily in the direction of the little finger with their fist closed and thumb folded in.
In addition, the thumb region is often swollen and pressure painful. The pain can radiate into the forearm. Sometimes a creaking or cracking sound can be heard during wrist movements (crepitatio).
Frequency distribution
Tendovaginitis de Quervain usually occurs in patients between the ages of 30 and 50. Women are affected about eight times more frequently than men.
