This condition is common among secretaries, dress makers, washer women, and frequent in certain sports and manual activities such as trimming in gardening. Occurrence during pregnancy is also common.
This pathology prevails among women at the age of 40 or 50.
It refers to an entrapment of the tendons contained within the first dorsal compartment at the wrist.
The major symptom is pain in the external side of the wrist. It appears progressively for several weeks, sometimes abruptly which disturbs thumb motion. This pain may become intense and sharp and may radiate to the forearm. It is possible to determine inflammation at the tendon sheath on the external side of the wrist. These tendons tighten when moving the thumb towards the ring finger.
Sometimes cure is spontaneous. However, in some cases after 6-18 months, pain becomes permanent, thus restraining labor tasks.
Treatment is primarily medical. If performed correctly, healing is achieved in 80% of the cases.
It should be accompanied by rest of the thumb (avoidance of provocative activities) oral and local anti-inflammatory drugs.
If necessary, one or two local cortisone injection is administered. Return to labor activities will be reorganized.
In case of painful recurrence or if the treatment described fails, surgery is indicated. If tumefaction is significant, operative intervention should be immediate. It is performed under anesthesia of the upper extremity; hospitalization is not required.
The cutaneous incision -3-4 centimeters- on the external side of the wrist, allows exposure and treatment of lesions, a splint keeps the thumb at rest for 21 days.
Full recovery is achieved in 3 months. Return to normal activities should be gradual, and if possible, tasks should be reorganized to avoid recurrence.
