Understanding De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis (Mummy Thumb)

[@benbullettmortlock]

Hi there, I'm a professional guitarist and this year took up weight training very seriously. 6 months in and I've developed this condition. this has now effected my working life, daily life and training, resulting in inability to perform on stage properly and my teaching work which is 6 Days a week. I want to say thank you very much for putting this video together to help educate.

[@drankurbaruah]

Get a senior trainer at the gym. Maybe you're lifting wrong.. it's very common.

[@chuckwebb7564]

I absolutely agree on how it affects your life negatively. I developed this condition 1 month ago

[@MikeSmith-vy4wp]

I'm also a professional guitarist. And this video best diagnoses my symptoms. I think I developed it from over playing, repetitive strumming on my right hand. It's just a recent issue that got really bad this past week when I was having to learn a bunch of new material on short notice. Any suggestions that you used to improve your symptoms? I have a 3 hour gig tonight and I am dreading how bad I am going to be afterwards.

[@benbullettmortlock]

@@MikeSmith-vy4wp hi Mike, thanks for messaging me. I'm possibly 5 months down the line now and after a cortisone injection and months of not playing resting the use of my hands with splints, it's still an ongoing issue just not as severe hardly. The thing I found to be most effective is using ice on the inflamed area, which for my condition is the base of the thumb where the tendon sheath is. I do this after shows and try to do it multiple times a day in general. I've also tried to minimize the use of my thumb pinching in general because that's what causes the irritation for the condition I have which is the inflammation of the two tendons running down the thumb under the tendon sheath.

[@benbullettmortlock]

@@MikeSmith-vy4wp you also need to work out which movements are causing strain on the tendon itself, this will normally be putting the rest into all the deviation which causes irritation as there's not enough room for the tendon to move freely under the sheath due to its inflammation. the first step is to reduce and remove the inflammation, and work out which movements are causing it to become inflamed in the first place. This is very difficult for us guitarists due to the nature of our wrists being in the positions the cause strain on the tendons anyway. So once the information has gone, gradual strengthening of the tendons is necessary in order to rebuild up their ability to withstand the tension that they are under while we use our wrists and thumb playing.

[@lizard3755]

I went to the doctor because I was experiencing pain and weakness with a big lump on my arm and got diagnosed with this. Thank you for making such a great video explaining the anatomy involved and what's actually happening in de Quervain so I can better understand my diagnosis.

[@matalumuchatlu]

Did it get better?

[@lizard3755]

@@matalumuchatlu No, but that's largely due to my job. I was given steroids to take which helped, but I couldn't take the full dose due to the side effects I was having. I have to be on the computer all day to do my job so unfortunately things have gotten worse, but I'm hoping to go see a specialist after I meet my insurance deductible.

[@jennyraphaela9188]

​@@lizard3755 my doctor recommend operation. What do you think

[@overrooftops]

I am not a doctor, but could follow your explanation of De Quervain's Tenosynovitis relatively easily. Nice drawings as well, Thank you for sharing! 🙂

[@katief7047]

I have recently been diagnosed with this and it really sucks. 4 months wearing a splint 24/7 and limiting use of my wrist and still it hurts all the time 😢 Update: had a cortisone injection to no avail of pain relief. Surgery scheduled for end of this month 🙌🏼

[@Spindaoppblock]

Dont wear it 24/7. You’ll developed a lot of muscle weakness. I wore the brace 24/7 and it made my problem way worse. Now I can’t lift my thumb up

[@katief7047]

@@Spindaoppblock thank you! That’s how I feel. I can’t curl my thumb into my fist at all. It’s very weak and painful. I’ve had many broken bones but this is very different. I have no broken bones here but it’s the constant repetitive use of my wrist/hand that continues to injure it. Even things as simple as pulling up my pants hurts. I haven’t cooked in months bc it hurts so bad to use a knife. It’s so frustrating. I think I should take it off when I’m not doing anything that requires the brace. But the problem is , it will strain when I do the most random things if I’m not wearing it. For example, talking with my hands. The simplest gesture strains it. And I’m 27 so it’s not st I’m able to stop doing so easily bc I’m used to it for soo long. I’m trying to figure out a good plan of how to wear it, take it off, and what I need to start doing with my left hand instead. But it’s hard.. realistically I feel like this is gonna be a life long issue

[@katief7047]

@@Spindaoppblock I think the best case scenario is to wear it while I work then take it off for evening time and deal with the pain but allow my wrist to build muscle. Then wear it overnight while I sleep.

[@Prizm_NightSky]

Mine became a problem in May of this year. I'm still wearing my brace but only at work. I couldn't move my entire wrist at all when it first started. I did Nsaids, cold/hot therapy and used a TENS unit. Wore my splint even to sleep but now I only wear it to work. It gets better the more you move what you can but that tendon is still stuck in place. Still working on it. Yes, it sucks big time!

[@michaelstetzer3144]

Pain illustration is not entirely accurate. Sometimes it is located towards the area at the base of the thumb where it meets the wrist. Swelling may appear on the top of the hand in this area.

[@dsglife]

This is exactly the pain I have, but it also feels like my bone is popping out of place. Hurts worse when I hold my phone in my left hand in an upward position (as if laying down, but holding the phone straight up). This only started about a month ago.

[@amedori18]

Great presentation, Dr. Tom! You always present information in an easy-to-follow format. Thank you for sharing your wonderful resources to the public!

[@chanelv5373]

I agree, it was extremely helpful and a very concise presentation. 👏🏽👏🏽

[@kurdistan2019]

😢

[@david3ly]

Had De Quervain Release Surgery 9 days ago and just got my splint and stitches removed yesterday and I hate how my thumb is all tingly and weak when I try to bend it. I have physical therapy to help in a week!

[@sambeckett6391]

I suffered badly on my left wrist for a long time, not anymore since I bought a red light therapy device from amazon. I used it everyday after a few weeks the pain left. Thankfully no operating nor injections need.

[@clatang5599]

Tk u for sharing! I hv been having the pain for last 6 months. Subsided a little and flare up again. Just went to the doc yesterday to request for a MRI which I sort of know its just helping to eliminate some doubts. May I know what type of infrared red light as there are so many types and prices ranging vastly. Can you share averagely how much you paid for the device as a guide please

[@sambeckett6391]

@@clatang5599 Sure I paid 129 gbp , I was a little sceptical about red light devices but I was in so much pain I would have tried anything and paid 10 times what I paid to get relief, and thank god it worked the alternative was wait on surgery. The one I got is sold on amazon by CozionEU it is a hand held wi 5/10/15/20 minutes timer and 4 power settings its 129£. This thing really does work but not instantaniously keep using it for a few weeks. Your de quervains will disapper and with it the terrible pains.

[@JCHK.]

@@clatang5599not the person you asked, but I brought a red light LED belt off eBay for under Au$50 including postage. You can get smaller ones but I use it in other areas as well, lower back, hips, neck, shoulders etc. I have arthritis and a connective tissue disorder, it’s been very helpful with managing pain.

[@urnparadise2903]

⁠ Just get the steroid injection. I did yesterday. I happy I did not refuse like I initially did out of fear.

[@pujasapkota6825]

@@urnparadise2903how much was the cost?

[@rypere1788]

Mummy thumb. Thanks, I'm never going to forget this.

[@michaelthompsonPSLMS23]

I have been dealing with this issue for over a year and a few months ago I finally broke down and went to the doctor. Long story short, I ended up in physical therapy and this is where I was diagnosed with De Quiervains tenosynovitis. The physical therapist gave me a list of exercises to run through along with heat therapy (before exercises) and ice (after the exercises). I am about 2 weeks in and have been noticing a small amount of overall relief but the pain is still there. He said this may take a while to heal. I really loved the illustrations in this video, they gave me a more clear idea of what I am dealing with. My question is at the end of the video it talked about cutting the extensor retinaculum, and I want to know what happens after it is cut? Does it grow back together or is it forever separated? Also it would have been cool if you added to the illustration what it is the cortisone shots do (internally). Hope it doesn't seem like Im complaining I am just trying to figure this out (correct treatment) it has been going on for too long.

[@allmyshadows]

I was diagnosed with this today and discussed surgery with my doctor. I specifically asked about the extensor retinaculum healing, and he said it would form back together over several weeks.

[@chrisfrerichs8360]

@@allmyshadowsseveral weeks???? Omg, I’m in the process where I have to do something. Even with the splint on it’s killing me.

[@lucianwong420]

I think i might have this pain, because sometimes i get a shooting/stabbing pain whenever i grab something. I say sometimes because some days i don't feel anything for months, and other days it hurts like hell.

[@mdheartsuju]

I am a medical lab scientist and I got this because I do a lot of pipetting at work (using single channel pipettes). Rest, splint and physiotherapy didn’t help so I’m getting a cortisone injection tomorrow

[@xtinasan2498]

Thank you so much for this video. This is happening to me right now. (mummy thumb)

[@sunnyvibes8528]

Spot on to my symptoms!

[@aga5897]

Superb ! Again ! It's a Key thing you mentioned at the end - How to learn things is very important

[@Amberclaudi]

Thankyou for such great information! This is exsactly the pain i have been unable to explain

[@rose4mvp2012]

I got this in my left hand earlier in the year and then finally healed 85% and now I have the same shit in my dominant hand. It's really annoying me because I can't do certain things without being in pain. It even hurts me to play the game now and that's where I draw the line.

[@alingkunyang]

I have de querveins it really pains specially if I carry heavy things

[@ILovePlayingZeldaGamesOnSwitch]

Yes and when doing repetitive movements of the hands. I also have this

[@alijasim146]

Thank you for your amazing explanation ☺️❤️ and good work

[@SlapNSniff]

Question please. Aside from the pain I feel when I move my thumb or wrist in certain ways, when I stretch my thumb out, I feel something popping near the base. Also when I twist my wrist, I feel something popping on the top side of my wrist. Is this common with this condition? I have had x-rays done and they are negative for any fractures or breaks. Thanks

[@user-yehia]

Excellent for medical students ❤

[@MC-kj8uy]

I just got diagnosed with this. It is in my "cane" hand so it's probably from that (i had surgery) . I am currently being weaned off the cane so I'm hoping it will resolve soon.

[@رحمةعلي-ع6ذ]

many thanks the explanation was stunning

[@acprive]

I was just diagnosed with this yesterday. Very painful. I also have a very hard lump that is extremely painful to touch or move

[@Crawford644]

Omgoodness me too everyday relative work I git this excruciating

[@Crawford644]

Yes it is 😢😢

[@madeinearth644]

i have this too, a lump half the size of a marble. i thought it was cancer. i play on pc 12hrs+ a day then i noticed it when i woke up cuz of wrist pain

[@Mrbriar]

Mine came from gaming too.

[@adancastro2220]

Great Video! Thanks Doctor ;)

[@graveyardguild]

Could it also come from repetitive boxcutter use 😅

[@nborg96nb]

I've had this for the last 3 years and on top of that I've got a partial tear in one of my tendons, can't remember which one

[@allaneo2]

I just had mine last year. I woke up having my wrist aching. It took me days before having it test as i dont know this condition and which doctor to go to. After seeking an ortho doctor, he recommend injecting steroid. It took away the pain for at least 6 monthd. Then i went back again. I took the option of getting steroid again but this time, it didnt work. I still have that pain and not really mobilizing my thumb much

[@christinepok]

Hi can u explain more abt t

[@mohamedhassansir-gullet152]

Why we took a steroid injection.?

[@fatemehniazi3029]

Perfect 👌🏻

[@chuckwebb7564]

Thank you

[@davidpatrick1813]

This is educational for sure.. but my thumb base at the hand doesn't have pain with these "tests" ,,, but it does (a lot) when I try and move my thumb to this position manually by my hand.. not using any external manipulation. Another example would be trying to touch my little finger to my thumb. When fatigued the main is much more when doing this. If I move my thumb down (to the floor) with my hand open pointing forward, this too is the cause of constant pain. I don't think my issue is inflamed tendonitis ../// I was in a car accident and I know holding the steering wheel when hit caused something .. .which is not diagnosed and explained to me yet .. other than arthritic and old age.. .. (useless to me but a guess and a cop out by those not in the know)...

[@joons3374]

Yep, I got it... Just tested myseld according to this video... lots of fun...

[@moaz4700]

nice explaining

[@michaeldineenSG2018]

I developed this 2x now both after Covid infections. First time in 2020 it was so painful that the first day I discovered it it felt like a broken wrist. The thing is I never injured it. It drove me crazy for months. It eventually went away and this time it happened on my left wrist. Started playing guitar again 3 straight months and then boom just as it was coming back this crap happens. It's been a month. Tired of this BS.

[@ILovePlayingZeldaGamesOnSwitch]

I doesn't go away. Mine is 3yrs++ i am a dental assistant and during covid i have to keep spraying our big suction machine in an awkward angle and that triggers this. It was so painful for few months. I was wearing splint to work. Finally saw a hand specialist and he told me to keep wearing the splint at night. I will do cold compress too when i don't want to take NSAIDS. I find that i cannot carry heavy things, do repetitive movements, tighten screws...a lot to mention.

[@waseemmansour6576]

Guys i swear all the treatment options are pointless - the only way to treat it is to strengthen your forearms by doing exercises - this will go away in couple of weeks! I have had it and resting, creams etc didnt work at all

[@matalumuchatlu]

Did it go away? Im suffering with this.. should i rest it or go to the doc for inj?

[@waseemmansour6576]

@@matalumuchatlu it went away 90% but u need to strengthen the forearms/ stretch etc

[@Gigli31]

Surgery soon for this

[@Jimmy-Legs]

How did it go?

[@Gigli31]

@@Jimmy-Legs Just perfect!

[@moonuskayinat5919]

is there anybody who is cured from tensosynovitis? Its been three months and now i am not recovering ven after taking medicines

[@Fizzlesmirk]

First step if pain persists is to take cortisone injections. Talk to your PCP and they may be able to, or they’ll refer you to a specialist. If that doesn’t work, the last option is having surgery done to have the extensor retinaculum bisected, which gives the tendon sheaths more space to move.

[@mrsphalange9644]

Not yet, I have it since August 2022 and after two injections, therapy, pain and suffering, the doctor finally decided that I can have a surgery so it's gonna be at the end of this month or March....I am desperate!

[@ILovePlayingZeldaGamesOnSwitch]

No. I have this for 3yrs+++ good&bad days i should say... Wearing splint every night and taking NSAIDS when it's killing me.

[@JacobSchmeau]

👍👍

[@brianfox340]

Thank you for how slowly you pronounced the name. I was SO off.

[@user-uo8ou5nz8d]

🔥🔥

[@ChristianAlston-q1t]

Strosin Keys

[@Mrbriar]

It wouldnt be so bad if it wasnt for the swelling.

[@flexitto]

I developed it on both wrists and after steroid injections, I had no improvement. I had to get surgery on my left wrist first and it went away.

[@BrickGriff]

NOT the kind of "mummy" I was thinking

[@alastairhaddix7436]

What about Daddies thumb? Picking up two kids under 3 and working at a keyboard for 8+ hours a day. BTW both tests worked, i know i have this because ouch that hurt like a 🤬

[@deadshotx1283]

extensor polices breves extends the thumb

[@brentbradley6711]

fancy words not needed

[@Shardswords]

What ridiculousness calling it mummys thumb. Particularly when you spend a whole four seconds on that cause highlighting it as though it’s a primary cause (it is not high on the list of causes). This impacts all people of all ages and is caused by a wide range of movements injuring the tendons

[@Patriot46426]

Got this when I was doing dishes in jail