De Quervain syndrome means that it hurts the wrist on the side where the thumb sits. It hurts especially when you touch your thumb and is because you have an inflammation in a tendon.
The illness can go away by itself, but surgery is often required for you to be well.
Quervain syndrome is common. The cause of the inflammation is not known but repeated, one-sided movements of the hand and thumb are probably one of the reasons. Another cause is believed to be hormone changes in the body. For example, you may have a disease after giving birth to a child.
Symptoms of Quervain syndrome
You get hurt on the wrist on the side where your thumb sits if you have the Quervain syndrome.
It hurts down to the thumb and feels the most when you touch it. It can also be difficult to use the thumb grip and lift objects.
When and where should I seek care?
You can contact a health care center if you are in pain and have difficulty using your hand.
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Treatment of Quervain syndrome
The disease can go away by itself if you have the opportunity to rest your hand. It is easier to rest your hand using a support rail. You should try out such a support rail within the healthcare system to make the best use of it. You can try a so-called hand orthosis that relieves a work therapist or physiotherapist, also called a physiotherapist.
If you have a lot of pain, you can try to take pain tablets that at the same time counteract the inflammation, so-called NSAIDs. You can have the medicines prescribed by a doctor or by yourself at a pharmacy. Examples of such drugs are Ibumetin, which contains ibuprofen, or Naproxen, which contains naproxen. You may sometimes need to get a cortisone syringe to dampen the inflammation.
Operation
You may need surgery if you do not get better by resting your hand or after receiving a cortisone syringe. The operation means that the doctor opens the inflamed tendon. The tendon can then move freely and the inflammation heals.
The operation takes about half an hour. You do not need to be anesthetized, but local anesthesia is usually enough. The healing after surgery takes about two to three weeks. You can use the hand in the meantime, but it usually hurts in the beginning.
Influence and participate in your care
You can seek care at any medical center or open specialist clinic you want throughout the country. Sometimes a referral to the open specialized care is required.
You should understand the information
In order for you to be involved in your care and treatment, it is important that you understand the information you receive from the healthcare personnel.
If you need tools, you should get information about what is available and how to get it.