Does taping help de Quervain’s tenosynovitis?

Abstract – Background: Therapeutic taping may be a useful modality in relieving pain, improving strength, and restoring the function of patients with De Quervain’s Disease (DQD). Evidence on the effectiveness of therapeutic taping for DQD patients in mitigating its clinical signs and symptoms is not established. However, reviews report Kinesio Taping effects on musculoskeletal pains not specific to DQD. Methods: The study followed the guideline statement of the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses). Two researchers (RD and SN) searched the electronic databases and hand-searched for relevant journals. The relevant articles were selected using keywords found in titles and abstracts and, consequently, full-text manuscripts. A third researcher (VCDIII) resolved the disagreements between the two researchers. They used Review Manager 5.4 for risk of bias assessment and meta-analysis. Data were pooled to determine the therapeutic taping’s overall effect. Heterogeneity was assessed by Higgin’s (I 2 ) statistic. The random-effects model was used if heterogeneity was high (>60%). The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) Approach determined the certainty of evidence. Results: Seven high-risk of bias clinical-controlled trials comprising 241 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The reported outcome measures were the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain, Patient-Rated Wrist/Hand Examination for Function and Power, and precision grip strength using a hand-held dynamometer and pinch gauge. Therapeutic taping did not improve the pain, power grip, grip strength, and function of participants with DQD (p > 0.05). Therapeutic taping compared to other physical therapy interventions did not reduce the VAS scores of 241 participants with DQD, Kinesio taping with low-level laser therapy compared to ultrasound and exercise did not improve the function of 60 participants with DQD, Therapeutic taping compared to ultrasound and Mulligan Pain Releasing Phenomenon did not improve the power grip strength of 50 participants with DQD, Therapeutic taping was not better than phonophoresis in improving the precision grip strength of 50 participants with DQD, Conclusions: There is insufficient evidence to recommend the use of therapeutic taping in treating patients with DQD. Therapeutic taping was no better than other treatment modalities in mitigating the clinical signs and symptoms of DQD (p > 0.05). Therapeutic taping did not affect wrist pain, handgrip, pincer strength, and function of participants with DQD (p > 0.05). Keywords: De Quervain’s disease; Physical therapy; Rehabilitation; Taping; Therapeutic taping. Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Will a wrist brace help de Quervain’s tenosynovitis?

De Quervain Syndrome myths versus facts –

Myth 1 I will need an operation to fix my problem. Fact 1 The majority of people respond well to a steroid injection and advice and most do not require surgery. What is the treatment?

De Quervain’s syndrome is not harmful, but it can be a very painful nuisance. Some mild cases recover over a few weeks without treatment. Treatment options are:

Avoiding activities that cause pain, if possible Using a wrist/thumb splint, which can often be obtained from a pharmacy, sports shop, a health care professional or online. It needs to immobilise the thumb as well as the wrist.

Diagram 2: Splint for De Quervains (Wrist and Thumb Spica)

A steroid injection relieves the pain in about 70% of cases. The risks of injection are small, but it very occasionally causes some thinning or colour change in the skin at the site of injection. Click for more information regarding corticosteroid injections

Click for a printable version of this section Review Date: July 2024 : NHS Ayrshire & Arran

What makes De Quervain’s worse?

Symptoms – Symptoms of de Quervain tenosynovitis include:

Pain near the base of the thumb Swelling near the base of the thumb Difficulty moving the thumb and wrist when doing something that involves grasping or pinching A “sticking” or “stop-and-go” sensation in the thumb when moving it

If the condition goes too long without treatment, the pain may spread farther into the thumb or forearm or both. Moving the thumb and wrist may make the pain worse.

What activities should be avoided with De Quervain’s disease?

How is de Quervain’s tenosynovitis treated? – A healthcare provider will usually suggest treatments for de Quervain’s tenosynovitis that manage your symptoms while your thumb tendons and their sheaths heal. The most common treatments include:

Wearing a splint or brace : This will keep your wrist and thumb held in place (immobilized) to take pressure off your thumb tendons. Icing your wrist : Icing can reduce swelling and relieve pain. Wrap ice packs in a thin towel and apply them to your wrist for 20 minutes at a time a few times a day. Rest : Avoid using your affected wrist as much as possible. You’ll need to avoid playing sports or doing repetitive motions (especially the specific activity that caused the de Quervain’s tenosynovitis). NSAIDs : Over-the-counter NSAIDs reduce inflammation and relieve pain. Don’t take NSAIDs for more than 10 days in a row without talking to your provider. Corticosteroids : Corticosteroids are prescription anti-inflammatory medications. Your provider might inject a corticosteroid into your affected tendon sheath.

How long does it take to recover from de Quervain’s tenosynovitis?

It may take 6 to 12 weeks for your hand to heal completely. After you heal, you may be able to move your wrist and thumb without pain. How soon you can return to work depends on your job. If you can do your job without using your hand, you may be able to go back after a few days.

Does compression help de Quervain’s?

De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis symptoms can include pain, catching and decreased grip strength. Treat this and all tenosynovitis pain with the principles of acute injury care of RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation). Wearing a splint that limits the motion of the thumb is usually part of the treatment protocol.

How long do you have to wear a splint for de Quervain’s?

A thumb spica splint can help reduce swelling and pain by keeping your wrist and thumb in a non-stressful position. Wear it only during painful activities. Keep using the splint as long as symptoms persist, up to a maximum of 6 weeks.

Should I wear a wrist brace all day for tendonitis?

Despite what we thought when we were younger, human bodies have limits and cannot be overworked. When our connective tissue, like tendons or muscles, gets overexerted, we become prone to many severe, painful conditions. One of them is tendonitis. Braces should generally be worn for tendonitis anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks.

Does de Quervain’s tenosynovitis ever go away?

Surgical Treatment – Surgery may be recommended if symptoms are severe or do not improve with non-operative management. The goal of surgery is to release the tendon sheath to make more room for the irritated tendons. When done correctly, this can relieve the symptoms of De Quervain’s tenosynovitis without affecting hand/wrist function. During surgery:

The surgeon first identifies and protects the nerves that live near the tendon sheath. The surgeon then releases the sheath in a way that avoids tendon instability. If there is excess tissue (tenosynovium) around the tendons, the surgeon will remove it. The incision is then closed, and a bandage (and sometimes a splint) is applied.

Regardless of the treatment, you can usually resume normal use of the hand once comfort and strength have returned. Your orthopaedic surgeon can advise you on the best treatment for your situation. Most patients with De Quervain’s tenosynovitis do very well and are ultimately relieved of their symptoms with nonsurgical and/or surgical treatment.

Should you immobilize de Quervain’s tenosynovitis?

Treatment Options – Nonsurgical treatment options for De Quervain’s tenosynovitis include:

Rest. Patients should minimize wrist and thumb movement in the affected hand. This may include pinching and gripping or any repetitive hand activities. Resting the hand on a pillow or elevated surface can also help. Activity modification. Avoiding the activity that may have triggered the condition, such as from a sport, hobby, or employment, will give inflammation a chance to subside. Splint/brace. Physicians may recommend that patients wear a splint called a thumb spica splint, which immobilizes the thumb. Patients are typically instructed to wear it 24 hours a day for 4 to 6 weeks. Ice. Ice therapy can reduce inflammation and numb pain signals, so it’s useful for treating De Quervain’s tenosynovitis. The affected area can be iced for 10 to 15 minutes several times a day. Ice shouldn’t be applied directly to the skin, as this can cause burns.

NSAIDs. Pain medications that also alleviate inflammation, such as ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Alieve), can help ease De Quervain’s tenosynovitis symptoms. Other non-NSAID pain medications such as aspirin may also be appropriate. Physical therapy. A physical or occupational therapist can assist patients by teaching them exercises for the hand and thumb and ways to complete day-to-day tasks while putting minimal strain on the inflamed tendons. Steroid (cortisone) injections. If the above measures fail to bring relief, physicians may recommend a cortisone injection into the tendon sheath. Most patients recover from the condition after receiving injections. One study of 80 patients with De Quervain’s tenosynovitis found that 95% were symptom-free after two or three injections over the course of 6 weeks.1 Akram, M et al. Results of injection corticosteroids in treatment of De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis. J Pak Med Assoc.2014 Dec;64(12 Suppl 2):S30-3. However, these injections have a drawback in as they carry a risk of causing reactions and side effects. In the study, 25% of the patients had temporary adverse reactions to the injections, such as a cortisone flare.

See The P.R.I.C.E. Protocol Principles If nonsurgical treatment options fail to offer relief, there is a surgical treatment option that’s simple and effective for relieving pain and resolving the condition. See De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis Surgery

Does tenosynovitis ever go away?

Outlook (Prognosis) – Most people fully recover with treatment. If tenosynovitis is caused by overuse and the activity is not stopped, it is likely to come back. If the tendon is damaged, recovery may be slow or the condition may become chronic (ongoing).

How bad does de Quervain’s hurt?

What are the symptoms of de Quervain’s? – People with de Quervain’s typically experience pain in the wrist while pinching, grasping, making a fist, or stretching the wrist towards the small finger. Swelling and stiffness can also occur. Sometimes de Quervain’s also brings pain and swelling near the base of the thumb. The pain may even radiate to the forearm.

Can Dequervains cause permanent damage?

Frequently Asked Questions: – What is a Finkelstein’s Test? A Finkelstein’s Test is the best way to ascertain whether you suffer from de Quervain’s stenosing tenosynovitis or not. In this test, the doctor will have you fold your thumb down and across the palm of your hand, then close your fingers around your thumb.

• Once your hand is in this position, you will bend your fist down towards the ulnar aspect of the arm, and if this hurt, then you almost certainly suffer from de Quervain’s stenosing tenosynovitis.
• What causes de Quervain’s Stenosing Tenosynovitis? Just like so many other wrist problems, de Quervain’s stenosing tenosynovitis is often caused by overuse of the wrist, particularly repetitive motion, such as those activities relating to work or hobbies that require such motions.

Arthritis can also lead to inflammation, which can cause the condition as well, and scar tissue from traumatic injuries may also be a precursor to the development of de Quervain’s. This condition is also commonly known as either Mommy Thumb or Blackberry Thumb, because mothers of young children and people who habitually use smartphones are common sufferers of the condition.

The latter condition can develop during pregnancy, and then after birth, the constant grabbing and lifting of an infant very strongly affects the connective tissues of the hand and thumb and so it aggravates the already nascent condition and can turn it into full-blown de Quervain’s stenosing tenosynovitis.

Constant text-messaging, which is a very common habit among people of all ages these days, can also cause the condition, depending on how the phone is held in the hand and which fingers are used for typing. Ironically, when the phone is held “correctly” and the “correct” fingers are used to type, you are actually MORE likely to develop the condition than someone who types atypically.

• Is de Quervain’s Stenosing Tenosynovitis permanent? When it is effectively and efficiently treated by a physician, de Quervain’s stenosing tenosynovitis is easily reversable, and the effects will lessen and eventually disappear completely.
• If, however, the condition goes untreated for some time, the damage caused to the tendon sheath can be permanent and cause pain and discomfort, as well as limiting range of motion.

In extreme cases, the tendon sheath may even burst due to intense inflammation and damage to the tissue. Does de Quervain’s Stenosing Tenosynovitis require treatment, or can it go away on its own? de Quervain’s stenosing tenosynovitis will not resolve on its own.

Is de Quervain’s worse at night?

Signs and symptoms of De Quervains tendonitis – The symptoms associated with this condition usually develop gradually over a period of time. Initially, symptoms may present as an ache or stiffness in the back of the wrist and thumb following an aggravating or unaccustomed activity.

1. This may often be felt at night or first thing in the morning and may warm up with heat and movement in the early stages.
2. As the condition progresses, pain may be felt with every day activities involving the wrist and thumb such as carrying groceries, opening a jar, cooking or using the computer.
3. Patients with De Quervains tendonitis may also experience swelling, crepitus or pain on firmly touching the affected thumb tendons.

Occasionally, pins and needles or numbness in the thumb may be experienced along with weakness in the wrist, hand and thumb. This may present as difficulty performing fine movements of the hand, reduced grip strength, or an increased frequency of dropping objects.

Should you ice or heat de Quervain?

Activity – Rest your wrist and your thumb. Keep your wrist from moving for at least 1 week. You can do this with a wrist splint. Wear a wrist splint during any sports or activities that could put stress on your wrist. Once you can move your wrist without pain, you can start light stretching to increase strength and movement.

Lightly grasp a tennis ball.Gently squeeze the ball and add more pressure if there is no pain or discomfort.Hold for 5 seconds, then release your grip.Repeat 5 to 10 times.Do this a few times a day.

Before and after any activity:

Use a heating pad on your wrist to warm the area.Massage the area around your wrist and thumb to loosen the muscles.Ice your wrist and take pain medicine after activity if there is discomfort.

The best way for the tendons to heal is to stick to a care plan. The more you rest and do the exercises, the quicker your wrist will heal.

Is massage good for de Quervain?

Performing massage can help to relax the muscle that pulls on the tendon, reducing irritation and pain. Do not massage directly on the painful wrist.

Can I go to the gym with de Quervain’s?

What is it? De Quervains tenosynovitis is an overuse injury characterized by thickening and swelling of the tendons that run from the base of the thumb into the wrist and forearm. The tendons involved move the thumb away from the hand. It affects mostly middle-aged patients in their 30s 50s, and occurs in women more than men.

1. It is most common in athletes who participate in sports with repetitive hand and wrist movements, such as racket sports and golf.
2. The repeated wrist and thumb motions in these activities can increase the tension and stress on the tendons around the thumb, and cause symptoms.
3. Symptoms Patients with de Quervains tenosynovitis have pain in the wrist or thumb aggravated by movement.

They may complain of pain while gripping or hitting, such as while playing golf, tennis, weight lifting or rowing. They may also have swelling at the base of their thumb, decreased movement of the wrist and thumb, and a sensation of their thumb sticking or locking with movement.

Sports Medicine Evaluation and Treatment A Sports Medicine specialist will examine the movement of the thumb and wrist, and evaluate for areas of tenderness and swelling. X-rays are usually not needed for diagnosing de Quervains, unless the physician is concerned about an additional injury, like a fracture.

An MRI may show the injured tendon, but is usually not needed for diagnosis. Sports Medicine Treatment De Quervains is generally treated conservatively with relative rest by avoiding activities that are painful and by immobilizing the thumb in a splint to decrease the repetitive movement.

• Ice and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, like ibuprofen, will also help with pain and swelling.
• Sometimes, physical or occupational therapy will be prescribed to help with thumb motion and strengthening, and corticosteroid injections.
• May be recommended.
• Surgery is a possibility for the most severe cases that dont respond to conservative treatment.

Injury Prevention De Quervains tenosynovitis can be prevented by avoiding repetitive movements when possible, especially if an athlete experiences pain. In patients who participate in activities such as racquet sports, weight lifting, golfing, and rowing, a strengthening program for the wrist and forearm, prior to starting activities may be useful.

1. Return to Play Patients can return to activities once they have relief of symptoms including pain free full movement without swelling.
2. Bracing during activities may be recommended.
3. AMSSM Member Authors Sarah Kinsella, MD and Margot Putukian, MD References Darowish M, Sharma J.
4. Evaluation and treatment of chronic hand conditions.

Med Clin North Am.2014 Jul;98(4):801-15, xii. Doi: 10.1016/j. mcna.2014.03.006. Epub 2014 Apr 26. Ilyas AF, Ast M, Schaffer AA, and Thoder J. de Quervain Tenosynovitis of the Wrist. J Am Acad Orthop Surg.2007;15(12):757-764. Rettig AC. Athletic Injuries of the Wrist and Hand Part II: Overuse Injuries of the Wrist and Traumatic Injuries to the Hand.

Can I work with De Quervain’s tenosynovitis?

How De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis Can Affect Your Ability to Work. If you perform repetitive movements with your hand or wrist as part of your job, De Quervain’s can significantly impact your ability to work. Rapid or high-force pinching or grasping movements may be impossible for someone who suffers from De Quervain’s.

Should you tape tendonitis?

Benefits of KT Tape for Achilles Tendonitis – Achilles tendonitis usually heals on its own. However, using KT tape is an effective option to help support a quicker and successful recovery. Here are a few benefits of KT tape for individuals experiencing this injury.

Treating injury

KT tape is one of the most effective treatments for Achilles tendonitis, especially when used in conjunction with other manual therapies. In fact, many people prefer KT tape because it reduces pain and swelling.

Support weak areas

Those with Achilles tendonitis generally have a weakened tendon. KT tape provides additional support to muscles and joints that need it.

Re-educating muscles

Using KT tape can help re-train the muscles that have lost function or developed an unhealthy way of functioning.

Enhancing Performance

Many athletes use KT tape as it helps them enhance their performance and protect them against injury. If you’ve had Achilles tendonitis previously or want to prevent it from occurring, using KT tape while performing rigorous routines can be beneficial.

Does taping reduce inflammation?

Introduction – Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear is one of the most common orthopaedic sports injuries( 1 – 4 ). A successful ACL reconstruction (ACLR) requires proper physical rehabilitation to help patients return to their prior active lifestyle.

The rehabilitation process is essential and targets the reduction of pain and swelling, improvement of neuromuscular control, range of motion (ROM), proprioception, and muscular strength. In the early phase of ACLR-patient rehabilitation, different protocols such as cryotherapy, knee brace, leg elevation, compression socks, continuous passive motion therapy, ankle pumping exercises, isometric exercises, and electrical stimulation are applied( 5 ).

In this regard, the Kinesio Taping® (KT) method, developed by Dr. Kenzo Kase in 1979, has gained increasing interest in both sporting and clinical settings. It is hypothesized that the application of kinesiology taping helps to reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain, increase proprioception, muscular strength, and ROM in lower extremities( 6 – 11 ).

1. However, few studies exist reporting beneficial effects of KT in patients with ACLR ( 7 – 9 ).
2. In this regard, whether there is some evidence documenting the efficacy of KT for the treatment of postoperative edema ( 6 ), the same level of evidence is not available to support its role in pain and ROM recovery.

Thus, the present study not only aims to analyze the positive outcomes on reducing postoperative knee edema but also to further investigate the role of KT, in addition to a standard rehabilitation program, in the treatment of knee pain, ROM, and muscle mass recovery.

Is compression good for de Quervain?

De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis

De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis symptoms can include pain, catching and decreased grip strength. Treat this and all tenosynovitis pain with the principles of acute injury care of RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation). Wearing a splint that limits the motion of the thumb is usually part of the treatment protocol. In many instances, the symptoms will not resolve until an injection of cortisone is administered. Seek the advice and guidance of your Physical Therapist to address and treat the symptoms associated with De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis.

De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis is a condition of pain and swelling on the back of thumb and stretching down along the wrist. People suffering from this disorder may experience a continual ache that inflames when the thumb is used to grip or lift. While the specific causes are not clear, there are treatment options that can help reduce pain and swelling.

How do you tape your thumb for tenosynovitis?

Thumb Strapping Techniques The unique structure and alignment of your thumb makes it exceptionally mobile but vulnerable to injury, particularly when playing ball sports. Strapping the thumb can help prevent injuries from occurring and provide pain relief. When you first experience thumb pain, the best way to find relief is discover what is causing it.

Overuse or RSI. Activities like texting, gaming, typing and using rotating tools in construction can wear down the cartilage, tendons and tissue in and around your thumb joint and cause inflammation, swelling and pain. Inflammation. Arthritis, tendonitis, and cellulitis are three of the most common inflammatory conditions that cause thumb pain. Injuries. When you fall or hit your thumb you can overstretch or ‘bend’ your thumb backwards into a,

If you are unsure of what is causing your thumb pain, consult a qualified physician for an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment. Supportive Thumb Taping Techniques You need someone to help you. Position your affected arm as if it were in a sling (in front of you with your thumb pointing towards the ceiling) and bend the top of your thumb.a.

1. Cut a single length of in half long ways with rounded corners.b.
2. Apply the tip of one half on your thumb nail.c.
3. Gently stretch the strip back in a straight line and secure it at your wrist.d.
4. Gently lower your wrist joint and lightly press the tape to your skin.
5. Raise it back to the original angle.e.
6. Apply the end of the second half on top of the first one but a little further in front, so it hangs over your thumb nail.f.

Secure it over the fingertip.g. Gently stretch the strip and secure it a little further towards your elbow than the first strip.h. Repeat step (d).i. Cut another single length of kinesiology tape in half short ways with rounded corners.j. Holding the ends of one strip with both hands, stretch out the middle.k.

Apply the middle across the base of your thumb joint and gently secure the ends down each side of your hand.l. Repeat step (j) with the second short strip.m. Apply the second strip on top of the first strip but, about an inch further towards your elbow.a. Apply a 38mm Elastoplast Rigid Strapping Tape around the wrist, this will act as an anchor for the following taping applications b to f.b.

Apply 25mm Elastoplast Rigid Strapping tape from the middle joint of the thumb down to the anchor to provide support and counteract extension movement that can cause injury c. Repeat twice, or three times for larger thumbs d. Apply 25mm Elastoplast Elastic Adhesive Bandage in a figure 8 formation from the Anchor on the wrist, up to and around the mid-point of the thumb with further pressure applied when coming back to the back of the wrist.e.

Repeat twice, or three times for larger thumbs f. Finish technique by securing an anchor around the wrist a. The tendency to move your injured thumb when using the rest of your hand can be painful. A splint helps to keep your thumb rigid so it can heal.b. You need to: 1. Find a piece of inflexible material (paddle pop stick, cardboard etc) that is about an inch longer than your thumb.2.

Position it on the back of your thumb, making sure it extends one centimetre above your thumb.3. Secure the splint with a strapping tape like, Always read the label. Follow the directions for use. If symptoms persist, talk to your healthcare professional.