De Quervain 腱鞘炎 资料 In-depth

本页面由机器翻译,尚未经临床医生审核。英文版本为权威版本。

您的感受

桡骨茎突狭窄性腱鞘炎(De Quervain's tenosynovitis)会导致手腕拇指侧、靠近拇指基底部出现疼痛。该区域也可能出现压痛和轻微肿胀。问题位于一个狭窄的隧道内,两条拇指肌腱在其中滑动;当该隧道受到刺激时,肌腱在移动过程中会发生卡顿。

某些动作会加重疼痛。将手腕向小指侧弯曲、在弯曲手腕的同时用力抓握,或将拇指与食指捏合,均可能诱发疼痛。您可能会在提水壶、转动门把手、抱起婴儿或使用剪刀时注意到这一点。有些人发现疼痛在醒来时或经过一段时间活动后加剧。

其病因与职业或特定损伤之间并无明确的关联。它可能与其他手腕问题同时出现,但通常也是独立发生的。

您的外科医生通常可以通过检查您的手腕并询问疼痛的具体位置来诊断此病。当临床表现明确时,无需进行扫描。仅当需要排查其他情况时(如陈旧性手腕骨折或拇指基底部关节炎),才会使用影像学检查。

大多数患者会首先尝试简单的治疗,且大多数人的症状会在一年内得到缓解。向受刺激的隧道内注射皮质类固醇是通常的第一步,73.4% 的患者在接受两次注射后症状得到改善。单独使用夹板固定比注射的效果差。

如果您的疼痛剧烈,或导致您无法完成必要的事务,可能会讨论进行手术以松解狭窄的隧道。这被称为第一伸肌间隔松解术,是注射治疗效果不佳时的标准治疗方法。

实际发生了什么

使拇指外展并远离手部的两条肌腱穿过手腕拇指侧的一个狭窄通道。可以将肌腱想象为光滑的绳索,将通道想象为将绳索紧贴骨骼的滑轮带。在此病症中,通道变得狭窄且增厚,导致绳索失去顺畅的滑动。

肌腱与通道之间的摩擦导致该空间内出现肿胀。随着时间的推移,肌腱鞘本身发生变化:变得致密且纤维化,组织呈现出凝胶般的质地。肌腱还可能形成粘附带,将其粘附在通道壁上。结果是通道变得狭窄受限,每一次拇指运动都会拉动肿胀的绳索通过该通道。这种拉动会刺激带内的疼痛感受器,这就是为什么您在上文阅读到的捏握动作会引起疼痛的原因。

在某些人中,该通道天生就较窄。通道内存在额外的壁,将空间分为两个隔室,这种情况存在于约三分之一的人群中,有些人还有额外的肌腱滑腱共享同一狭窄空间。这些变异在部分人中双侧手腕均可见到,并增加了拥挤的可能性。

该病症常被称为腱鞘炎,听起来像是肌腱衬里的炎症。事实上,组织变化更接近于磨损和退变,而非典型的炎症。肿胀和增厚是真实存在的,但它们源于肌腱鞘在负荷下分解,而非简单的炎症发作。

疼痛并非表明您因过度使用而损伤了手腕。手部工作使用或特定损伤与该病症之间尚未建立明确的联系。该病症在女性中更为常见,并可能出现在其他手腕问题之后,例如经手术治疗的腕部骨折。

我们如何处理该问题

Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton 的上肢外科医生 Kieran Hirpara 医生会从适合您病情的最微创方案入手。患者通常由全科医生(GP)转诊至我们的诊所;如果物理治疗师建议您就诊,您仍需获得全科医生的转诊,才有资格享受 Medicare 报销。在您的首次就诊时,我们会采集病史,检查您的手腕,并仅在需要进一步检查时才安排影像学检查。由于该问题属于长期存在而非新鲜损伤,我们通常首先采用非手术治疗。

最初的步骤是您自己可以做的事情。让拇指和手腕休息有助于缓解症状,拇指人字石膏托(thumb spica splint)可使拇指和手腕保持静止,从而让受刺激的腱鞘得到休息。佩戴石膏托期间可缓解疼痛,但一旦关节恢复自由活动,石膏托便不再持续起效。手部治疗可与注射联合使用,研究表明这种组合可降低测试时的疼痛 [2]。此外,还有通过小电流将药用乳膏推入皮肤,或将声波脉冲作用于疼痛区域的治疗方法;这些方法可能改善手腕功能并缓解疼痛。

主要的药物治疗是向腱鞘内注射皮质类固醇。皮质类固醇是一种强效抗炎药物,可减轻肌腱周围的肿胀。单次注射使 82% 的患者症状得到缓解,其中超过半数患者在至少 12 个月内保持无症状状态。如果您患有糖尿病,单次注射对您可能效果较差,但重复注射不会失去疗效。注射联合石膏托的效果优于单独注射。其他注射,如透明质酸或富血小板血浆(PRP),不属于我们为这种情况提供的治疗方案。

如果非手术治疗未能为您提供足够的缓解,我们将讨论手术。手术旨在松解狭窄的腱鞘,使肌腱能够再次自由滑动;当注射和石膏托未能缓解您的症状时,我们会考虑手术。在您与我们共同做出决定之前,我们会详细说明手术内容、恢复过程以及预期结果。

预期情况

对于大多数人而言,该病症会随时间推移而自行缓解。大多数患者发现其症状在一年内消退。许多人在不进行手术的情况下也能良好控制病情:仅有约三分之一的患者会在两年内最终需要手术,且当需要手术时,通常发生在第一年内。

治疗旨在缩短这一过程。皮质类固醇注射联合短期支具固定是早期治疗的主要手段,对大多数人有效。如果首次注射有效但疼痛复发,第二次注射仍是一个合理的选择。重复注射的成功率确实会下降,但它们仍是有用的工具。

如果您患有糖尿病,单次注射缓解症状的可能性低于其他人群。好消息是,对于糖尿病患者,后续注射并不会失去疗效,因此重复治疗仍然有价值。

手术仅保留给那些疼痛无法通过注射和支具固定缓解的少数人群。当这种情况发生时,松解狭窄的隧道可为肌腱提供持久的缓解,且手术并发症发生率较低。

您对该病症的认知也很重要。预期最坏情况的人往往报告更多的疼痛和更差的功能,因此对未来发展有清晰的认知有助于您选择适合自身生活的治疗方案。担心因过度使用而损伤手腕的观点缺乏证据支持,了解这一点可以减轻发作时的恐惧。

没有单一的保证时间表。有些手腕对注射反应迅速,有些需要重复给药,少数则进展至手术。当该病症得到良好管理时,通常会发生的情况是疼痛缓解,肌腱再次自由滑动。即使不干预,大多数病例仍会在一年内自行缓解,但在此期间您可能需要数月来应对不适。

何时就医

如果手腕拇指侧的疼痛反复发作,或者尽管经过休息和使用支具仍无法完成日常任务,请咨询您的全科医生(GP)。如果注射治疗未能缓解症状,或疼痛严重到限制您日常使用手部,请要求专科医生评估。有些人发现症状在一年内自行缓解,但等待并非唯一选择,治疗可以缩短这一过程。如果您注意到拇指或手腕出现新的麻木、刺痛或异常感觉,且与典型模式不符,请在就诊时告知医生,因为其他腕部问题有时可能模拟此病症。

深入探讨

Advanced reading: the deeper science (optional)

本节内容超出了您自身治疗决策所需的范围。De Quervain 腱鞘炎值得进一步阅读,原因在于存在一种小的解剖学变异,这种变异是导致该手术(尽管通常可靠)后患者满意度低的主要原因;此外,最佳的非手术治疗效果并非在两种疗法中二选一,而是将两种疗法联合使用。

联合疗法优于单一疗法

第一背侧骨筋膜室在腕部拇指侧的隧道内容纳两条肌腱。治疗旨在消除该隧道内的炎症,并减少通过该隧道的负荷。

一项针对 823 名患者的网状荟萃分析得出结论,皮质类固醇注射联合短期固定仍是主要且有效的治疗方法,体外冲击波疗法为次要选择 [1]。直接观察各组成部分,联合支具与皮质类固醇注射的方法比单独使用任一干预措施更有效 [2]。

这比“先尝试夹板,若无效再注射”的指令更为具体。证据支持两者联合使用,即在注射后佩戴夹板一段特定的短期时间。

第二次注射仍然值得进行

当症状复发时,本能的反应是认为注射治疗失败并转向手术。然而,针对大样本队列的数据表明情况并非如此:尽管多次注射的成功率会下降,但重复注射具有较高的成功率,且是一种可行的临床选择 [3]。

随着注射次数增加,成功率下降是预期之中的。但较低的成功率并不等同于无效,第二次注射仍然是一个合理的步骤,而非拖延战术。

解释大多数手术失望的最主要变异

第一背侧间隙松解术是有效的,若疗效未达预期,通常存在特定原因。不满意可能源于松解不完全、肌腱半脱位、神经损伤,或仅仅是恢复期的时长,且未被识别且未松解的拇短伸肌亚腱鞘是独立的不满意来源 [4]。

这一点值得深入剖析,因为它是本节中单一最有用的事实。在相当比例的人群中,该间隙并非单一隧道,而是两个,其中拇短伸肌腱在另一肌腱旁运行于其独立的腱鞘内。仅打开主间隙即停止的松解术会保留该第二腱鞘完好无损,其内部的肌腱仍处于受压状态。腕部被切开,手术按描述完成,但症状持续存在。

这也是为何上述另外两个列出的原因至关重要:松解过宽会导致肌腱在腕部活动时从骨沟中半脱位,产生疼痛性弹响;且桡神经浅支恰好横跨手术野上方。该间隙必须完全但不过度地打开,而神经又位于其间,这正是为何看似轻微的手术也需要与较大手术同等的谨慎对待。

桡侧腕部并非所有病变都是德奎尔万病

该区域的疼痛存在值得了解的鉴别诊断,因为治疗方法各不相同:拇指基底部关节炎、前臂近端数厘米处的交叉综合征以及桡神经刺激,均可能在重叠区域引起疼痛。在腱鞘正上方出现局限性压痛,且在拇指收于掌心时腕关节尺偏可复现疼痛,这些特征提示病变位于腱鞘而非其邻近结构。

参考文献

[1] Chong HH, Pradhan A, Dhingra M, Liong W, Hau MY, Shah R. Advancements in de Quervain tenosynovitis management: a comprehensive network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Hand Surg Am. 2024;49(6):557-69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhsa.2024.03.003

[2] Cavaleri R, Schabrun SM, Te M, Chipchase LS. Hand therapy versus corticosteroid injections in the treatment of de Quervain's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Hand Ther. 2016;29(1):3-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jht.2015.10.004

[3] Hassan K, Sohn A, Shi L, Lee M, Wolf JM. De Quervain tenosynovitis: an evaluation of the epidemiology and utility of multiple injections using a national database. J Hand Surg Am. 2022;47(3):284.e1-284.e6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhsa.2021.04.018

[4] Rogozinski B, Lourie GM. Dissatisfaction after first dorsal compartment release for de Quervain tendinopathy. J Hand Surg Am. 2016;41(1):117-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhsa.2015.09.003


Evidence & references

This is the clinical evidence summary written for health professionals. It is technical, and it lists the research this page was built from. You do not need to read it to understand your treatment or to make a decision about it.

Overview

Anatomy

  • Anatomical variations in the first extensor compartment are clinically relevant to the pathophysiology and treatment of De Quervain's tenosynovitis [1].

Non-Operative Management

  • Corticosteroid injection is the only available nonsurgical treatment that can potentially modify the course of de Quervain's tenosynovitis [2].
  • Corticosteroid injection with a short duration of immobilization is the primary and effective treatment for de Quervain tenosynovitis [14].
  • The success rate for treating De Quervain's tenosynovitis decreases with multiple injections [25].
  • Repeat injections for De Quervain's tenosynovitis have a high rate of success and are a viable clinical option [25].
  • Patients presenting with de Quervain's tenosynovitis may favor initial nonsurgical management [8].

Operative Management

  • Surgical release of De Quervain's tenosynovitis remains the gold standard treatment [6].
  • Longitudinal incision for surgical release offers the advantage of easy identification of the compartment [6].
  • Longitudinal incision for surgical release offers the advantage of more complete releases of tendon sheath and peritendinous adhesions [6].
  • Longitudinal incision for surgical release offers the advantage of less risk of palmar subluxation of tendons [6].
  • Release of the first extensor compartment for refractory de Quervain's disease results in good clinical outcomes with minimal morbidity [12].
  • Endoscopic release of the extensor compartment is an effective and safe procedure for patients with de Quervain's disease who are unresponsive to nonoperative treatments [28].
  • Endoscopic release of the extensor compartment is associated with a slight increase in operation time compared to open release [28].
  • Endoscopic release for de Quervain's tenosynovitis provides earlier improvement after surgery compared with open release [30].
  • Endoscopic release for de Quervain's tenosynovitis is associated with fewer superficial radial nerve complications compared with open release [30].
  • Endoscopic release for de Quervain's tenosynovitis is associated with greater scar satisfaction compared with open release [30].
  • Pulley reconstruction should be considered part of the surgical treatment for de Quervain tenosynovitis [4].
  • Pulley reconstruction for de Quervain tenosynovitis provides satisfactory medium-term results [4].

Patient Factors and Outcomes

  • Patients who scored lower than 40 for physical function had significantly increased odds of eventually undergoing surgical release for de Quervain tenosynovitis [23].
  • Patients who scored higher than 60 for pain interference had significantly increased odds of eventually undergoing surgical release for de Quervain tenosynovitis [23].
  • Addressing misconceptions about the consequences of de Quervain's tenosynovitis and symptom duration allows patients to make informed decisions about treatment [5].

Anatomy & Pathophysiology

Anatomical Variations

  • The EPB tendon is the most dorsal tendon in the first dorsal compartment and can be identified by its distally oriented muscle fibers [15].
  • The APL tendon has no muscular fibers in the area of the first dorsal compartment [15].
  • Separate compartments for the EPB and APL tendons are occasionally found, requiring identification of a septum [15].
  • If the EPB tendon is absent, the floor of the compartment may show a Y-shaped tendinous insertion of the brachioradialis tendon [15].
  • The superficial branch of the radial nerve is expected to be encountered in more than 50% of patients undergoing surgery for De Quervain's tenosynovitis [58].
  • The radial artery courses dorsally just beyond the radial styloid, requiring caution during septum resection [15].

Pathological Mechanisms

  • De Quervain's syndrome is defined as inflammation of the APL and EPB tendons in the first dorsal compartment caused by friction within a tight osteoligamentous tunnel [3].
  • Friction between the APL and EPB tendons leads to compromised blood flow and nutrition, resulting in adhesion development and tendon stenosis [3].
  • De Quervain's syndrome may involve myxoid degeneration, a process where connective tissues are replaced by a gelatinous or mucoid substance [3].
  • De Quervain's syndrome is associated with trauma, extensor carpi ulnaris involvement, ligament instability, and repetitive strain [3].
  • Tenovaginitis in the first extensor compartment is characterized by thickening of the fibrous sheath [11].
  • De Quervain's disease results from anatomical factors associated with mechanical stressors [43].
  • Women are more affected by De Quervain's disease than men due to manual work influencing first compartment dynamics [43].
  • Training intensity is a major factor in determining De Quervain's disease in volleyball players [43].
  • Wrist position influences the excursion of the extensor pollicis brevis tendon [44].
  • Stenosing tenosynovitis causes a significant decrease in maximum velocity during slow fist tasks [48].

Classification

Anatomical Variations and Pathophysiology

  • De Quervain's syndrome is defined as a condition originating when the abductor pollicis longus (APL) and extensor pollicis brevis (EPB) tendons in the first dorsal compartment become inflamed through friction within a tight osteoligamentous tunnel [3].
  • The condition is characterized by compromised blood flow and nutrition, leading to adhesions and tendon stenosis [3].
  • De Quervain's syndrome may represent a myxoid degeneration, defined as a degenerative process where connective tissues are replaced by a gelatinous or mucoid substance [3].
  • Terminology for the condition varies, including tendinosis (degeneration without inflammation), tendinopathy (injury to the tendon), and tenosynovitis (inflammation or thickening of the fibrous sheath wall) [3].
  • De Quervain's syndrome may not be an isolated pathology and has been associated with trauma, extensor carpi ulnaris involvement, ligament instability, and repetitive strain [3].
  • The prevalence of a septated first dorsal compartment is considerably higher in patients with De Quervain tenosynovitis than previously reported [42].
  • An intracompartmental septum between the APL and EPB tendons is present in a mean of 43% of wrists in cadaveric studies, with a range of 20% to 75% [17].
  • The presence of an intracompartmental septum detected by ultrasound is associated with the failure of ultrasound-guided steroid injection [17].
  • In a prospective study, 22 of 30 wrists (73%) that failed nonsurgical treatment and underwent operative release were found to have a separate compartment for the extensor pollicis brevis [32].
  • The prevalence of a separate extensor pollicis brevis compartment in patients failing nonsurgical treatment is significantly higher than in the general population [32].
  • In cases where constriction involves only the extensor pollicis brevis in a separate compartment, exploration of both compartments is advised [18].
  • Radial styloid abnormalities do not affect the outcome of management for de Quervain's disease [10].

Epidemiology and Risk Factors

  • The unadjusted incidence rate of de Quervain's tenosynovitis in a young, active population was 0.94 per 1000 person-years [31].
  • The unadjusted incidence rate for female patients was 2.81 per 1000 person-years, compared with 0.62 per 1000 person-years for male patients [31].
  • The adjusted incidence rate ratio for females, with males as the referent category, was 4.45 (95% CI 4.28, 4.62) [31].
  • The highest incidence rate was observed in the ≥40-year-old group at 1.37 per 1000 person-years [31].
  • The adjusted incidence rate ratio for the ≥40-year-old group, compared to the <20-year-old group, was 3.65 (95% CI 3.26, 4.09) [31].
  • Non-white race is a risk factor for de Quervain's tenosynovitis, with an adjusted incidence rate ratio of 1.31 (95% CI 1.21, 1.42) for black race and 1.17 (95% CI 1.05, 1.25) for other races compared to white race [31].
  • De Quervain's syndrome affects approximately 1.3% of women and 0.5% of men in a population of adults of working age [17].

Diagnostic and Clinical Considerations

  • Routine wrist radiography prior to surgeon evaluation is wasteful as patients do not benefit from the resulting radiologic data [7].
  • Addressing misconceptions about the consequences of de Quervain's tenosynovitis and symptom duration allows patients to make informed treatment decisions [5].
  • Patients with a physical function score lower than 40 or a pain interference score higher than 60 on PROMIS measures had significantly increased odds of undergoing surgical release [23].

Clinical Presentation

Anatomy and Pathophysiology

  • De Quervain's syndrome is defined as a condition where the abductor pollicis longus (APL) and extensor pollicis brevis (EPB) tendons in the first dorsal compartment become inflamed through friction, leading to pain [3].
  • In De Quervain's syndrome, blood flow and nutrition become compromised, causing adhesions that lead to tendon stenosis [3].
  • The condition is referred to by various terminologies including tendinosis, tendinopathy, and tenovaginitis/tenosynovitis [3].
  • Fritz de Quervain described pain over the first dorsal compartment as a tenosynovitis following repetitive activity in 1895 [3].
  • Theodor Kocher described de Quervain's as a "fibrous tendovaginitis" around the same time, noting that his patients lacked a history of repetitive strain [3].
  • The pain in de Quervain's disease is attributed to friction of the EPL and APB against the pulley of zone 7 of the first extensor compartment [35].
  • This friction results in initial tendinopathy followed by reactive thickening of the pulley [35].
  • A septum can be present between the EPB and APL tendons within the first dorsal compartment [35].
  • The EPB tendon is very small in bulk, while the APL has a variable number of tendons in its final portion at insertion [35].
  • De Quervain's syndrome may not be an isolated pathology and may be associated with trauma, extensor carpi ulnaris involvement, ligament instability, or repetitive strain [3].

Clinical Symptoms and Signs

  • Patients with de Quervain's tenosynovitis mostly complain of soreness and tenderness on the radial side of the distal radius [35].
  • Symptoms are exacerbated by ulnar deviation of the thumb [35].
  • Symptoms are exacerbated by a strong grasp combined with flexion and radial deviation of the wrist [35].
  • Symptoms are exacerbated by firm pinching together of the index finger and thumb [35].
  • Physical examination reveals tenderness and swelling directly over the first dorsal compartment [35].
  • Palpation findings include feeling for moving nodularity, tendon rub, or popping directly over the tendon [38].

Diagnostic Testing

  • Finkelstein's test is described as the standard test to confirm the diagnosis of de Quervain's tenovaginitis [35].
  • The WHAT test (wrist hyperflexion and abduction of the thumb) is a more specific and sensitive test to diagnose de Quervain tenosynovitis than Eichhoff’s Test [35].
  • Finkelstein's test is superior to Eichhoff's test in the investigation of de Quervain's disease [38].
  • The clinical diagnosis of de Quervain's tenosynovitis involves pain and tenderness over the radial styloid and either pain at the radial styloid reproduced by resisted thumb extension or a positive Finkelstein's test result [26].
  • Using the asymptomatic thumb as a standard measure to identify the symptomatic thumb's impairments associated with de Quervain's disease may be invalid [39].

Imaging

  • Plain radiographic findings do not routinely predict the need for surgery or alter treatment courses in the initial diagnosis of De Quervain's tenosynovitis [37].
  • In a study of 200 patients, 69.1% had at least one positive radiographic finding, with carpometacartic joint arthritis being the most common finding seen in 30.9% of cases [37].
  • No radiographic findings altered the course of treatment in patients with isolated De Quervain's tenosynovitis [37].

Patient Factors and Perception

  • More negative perceptions of the consequences of de Quervain's tenosynovitis are associated with worse pain and reduced function at baseline in patients awaiting surgical decompression [21].
  • Worse pain catastrophizing is associated with worse pain and reduced function at baseline in patients awaiting surgical decompression of de Quervain's tenosynovitis [21].

Investigations

Imaging

  • Ultrasound is a useful imaging technique for diagnosing de Quervain's disease and provides important information about anatomic variations within the first extensor compartment [40].
  • Ultrasound is a worthwhile preoperative investigation in case of de Quervain's disease [41].
  • Styloid abnormalities do not affect the outcome of management for de Quervain's disease [10].

Anatomical Variations

  • Anatomic variations in the first extensor compartment are clinically relevant in the pathophysiology and treatment of De Quervain's tenosynovitis [1].
  • The presence of a septum does not significantly affect clinical outcomes or complications following endoscopic release for de Quervain's syndrome [20].
  • When the extensor pollicis brevis tendon is associated with thumb interphalangeal joint extension, it is likely to reside in a subcompartment of the first dorsal compartment, particularly in patients with de Quervain's disease [46].

Treatment

Non-Operative

  • Injection of corticosteroids is the only available nonsurgical treatment that can potentially modify the course of de Quervain's tenosynovitis and is the preferred initial treatment [2].
  • One or two local injections of 1 ml triamcinolonacetonide 10 mg/ml provided by general practitioners lead to short-term improvement in participants with de Quervain's tenosynovitis compared to placebo [19].
  • Corticosteroid injections are a useful treatment for de Quervain's tenosynovitis, leading to treatment success 73.4% of the time within 2 injections [13].
  • Pain and clinical outcomes significantly improved after corticosteroid injection in de Quervain's disease [29].
  • Although the success rate for the treatment of De Quervain's tenosynovitis decreases with multiple injections, repeat injections have a high rate of success and are a viable clinical option [25].
  • Patients with diabetes mellitus have a decreased probability of success following a single corticosteroid injection for de Quervain tenosynovitis in comparison to nondiabetic patients [27].
  • The effectiveness of each additional corticosteroid injection does not appear to diminish in patients with diabetes mellitus [27].
  • The presence of an intracompartmental septum detected by ultrasound is associated with the failure of ultrasound-guided steroid injection in de Quervain’s syndrome [17].
  • Providers should remain cognizant that patients presenting with de Quervain's tenosynovitis may favor initial nonsurgical management [8].
  • Addressing misconceptions about de Quervain's tenosynovitis in terms of the consequences for patients and how long their symptoms will last should allow patients to make informed decisions about the treatment that best matches their values [5].
  • The practice of obtaining routine wrist radiography prior to surgeon evaluation is wasteful as patients do not benefit from the resulting radiologic data [7].

Operative

  • Longitudinal incision offers the advantage of easy identification of the compartment, more complete releases of tendon sheath and peritendinous adhesions, and less risk of palmar subluxation of tendons [6].
  • The release of the first extensor compartment for refractory de Quervain's disease resulted in good clinical outcomes with minimal morbidity [12].
  • Endoscopic release of the extensor compartment is an effective and safe procedure in patients with de Quervain's disease who are unresponsive to nonoperative treatments [28].
  • Endoscopic release of the first extensor compartment is associated with a slight increase in operation time compared to open release [28].
  • Pulley reconstruction should be considered part of the surgical treatment for de Quervain tenosynovitis and gives satisfactory medium-term results [4].
  • Anatomic variations are frequently encountered in recalcitrant cases of de Quervain tenosynovitis [50].
  • Examples of anatomic variations encountered in recalcitrant cases include multiple slips of the abductor pollicis longus and the extensor pollicis brevis in its own separate compartment [50].
  • Outcomes for surgical treatment of de Quervain tenosynovitis are generally excellent [50].
  • Complications of surgical treatment for de Quervain tenosynovitis include iatrogenic injury to the superficial branch of the radial nerve, tendon subluxation, complex regional pain syndrome, and recurrence due to incomplete release [50].
  • The dorsal retinaculum is released during surgical treatment to prevent volar tendon subluxation [50].
  • Surgical decompression should be considered if corticosteroid injection fails [17].
  • The volarly based retinacular flap must remain over the released tendons to prevent volar tendon subluxation during surgical release [15].
  • The first dorsal compartment is opened on its dorsoulnar side during surgical release [15].
  • If the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis tendons cannot be easily retracted from the radial styloid, the surgeon should look for additional “aberrant” tendons and separate compartments [15].
  • Releasing the extensor pollicis brevis tendon first and then the abductor pollicis longus usually reveals the presence or absence of a septum [15].
  • If there is no extensor pollicis brevis present, the surgeon should inspect the floor of the compartment for the footprint of the brachioradialis tendon [15].
  • The brachioradialis tendon has a Y-shaped tendinous insertion, and if this is clearly seen, release of this compartment is assured [15].
  • Resection of a pronounced septum is warranted during surgical release, ensuring not to injure the underlying radial artery coursing dorsally just beyond the radial styloid [15].

Complications

Anatomical Variations and Surgical Risks

  • The longitudinal incision technique creates a longer area in which skin scar may make cutaneous nerves more subject to scar adherence [15].
  • The radial artery courses dorsally just beyond the radial styloid and must be avoided during septum resection [15].
  • The volarly based retinacular flap must remain over the released tendons to prevent volar tendon subluxation [15].
  • A longitudinal incision offers a less risk of palmar subluxation of tendons compared to other approaches [6].

Diagnostic and Anatomical Complications

  • Finkelstein's test is a descriptive error that can produce a false positive [9].
  • Extensor pollicis longus tenosynovitis can mimic de Quervain's disease because of its course through the first extensor compartment [9].
  • The prevalence of a separate compartment for the extensor pollicis brevis is significantly higher in patients with unsatisfactory non-operative outcomes than in the general population [32].
  • An intracompartmental septum is present in a mean 43% of wrists in cadaveric studies, with a range of 20 to 75% across different series [17].
  • Patients with diabetes mellitus have a decreased probability of success following a single corticosteroid injection for de Quervain tenosynovitis compared to nondiabetic patients [27].

Recovery

Non-Operative

  • Corticosteroid injection with a short duration of immobilization remains the primary and effective treatment for de Quervain tenosynovitis [14].
  • According to the limited evidence available, injection of corticosteroids is the only available nonsurgical treatment that can potentially modify the course of de Quervain's tenosynovitis and is therefore the preferred initial treatment [2].
  • Corticosteroid injections lead to treatment success 73.4% of the time within 2 injections [13].
  • Most informed patients initially elect symptomatic treatment for de Quervain's disease, and most experience symptom resolution within one year [33].

Operative

  • Endoscopic release for de Quervain's tenosynovitis seems to provide earlier improvement after surgery, with fewer superficial radial nerve complications and greater scar satisfaction, when compared with open release [30].
  • Pulley reconstruction should be considered part of the surgical treatment for de Quervain tenosynovitis, as the technique gives satisfactory medium-term results [4].

Patient Factors and Prognosis

  • Patients who scored lower than 40 for physical function or higher than 60 for pain interference had significantly increased odds of eventually undergoing surgical release for de Quervain tenosynovitis [23].
  • More negative perceptions of the consequences of de Quervain's tenosynovitis and worse pain catastrophizing are associated with worse pain and reduced function at baseline in patients awaiting surgical decompression [21].

Key Evidence

  • [L4] These variations are clinically relevant in the pathophysiology and treatment of De Quervain's tenosynovitis. [1] (10.1016/j.bjps.2016.08.020)
  • [L4] According to the limited evidence available, injection of corticosteroids is the only available nonsurgical treatment that can potentially modify the course of de Quervain's tenosynovitis and is therefore the preferred initial treatment. [2] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2008.12.030)
  • [L4] [3] (10.1177/1758998315599796)
  • [L4] The authors believe the technique gives satisfactory medium-term results and should be considered part of the surgical treatment for de Quervain tenosynovitis. [4] (10.1055/s-0035-1556862)
  • [L3] Addressing misconceptions about de Quervain's tenosynovitis in terms of the consequences for patients and how long their symptoms will last should allow patients to make informed decisions about the treatment that best matches their values. [5] (10.1097/corr.0000000000001577)
  • [L4] Surgical release of De Quervain's tenosynovitis remains the gold standard treatment, and longitudinal incision offers advantage of easy identification of compartment, more complete releases of tendon sheath and peritendinous adhesions and less risk of palmar subluxation of tendons. [6] (10.1007/s12306-018-0585-1)
  • [L3] The practice of obtaining routine wrist radiography prior to surgeon evaluation is wasteful as patients do not benefit from the resulting radiologic data. [7] (10.1055/s-0037-1606124)
  • [L4] Providers should remain cognizant that patients presenting with de Quervain's tenosynovitis may favor initial nonsurgical management. [8] (10.1016/j.jhsg.2024.01.009)
  • [L4] [9] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2014.09.024)
  • [L4] Though considered as a manifestation of de Quervain's disease by some authors, styloid abnormalities do not affect the outcome of management as proved in this study. [10] (10.1007/s11552-010-9258-8)
  • [L4] [11] (10.1054/jhsb.1999.0277)
  • [L4] The release of the first extensor compartment for refractory de Quervain's disease resulted in good clinical outcomes with minimal morbidity. [12] (10.4055/cios.2014.6.4.405)
  • [L3] This study indicates that corticosteroid injections are a useful treatment for de Quervain's tenosynovitis, leading to treatment success 73.4% of the time within 2 injections. [13] (10.1177/1558944716681976)
  • [L1] Corticosteroid injection with a short duration of immobilization remains the primary and effective treatment for de Quervain tenosynovitis. [14] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2024.03.003)
  • [L3] [17] (10.1177/1753193415611414)
  • [L4] In cases with symptoms of de Quervain's syndrome where the constriction involves only the extensor pollicis brevis in a separate compartment, exploration of both compartments is advised. [18] (10.2106/00004623-194931040-00019)
  • [L1] One or two local injections of 1 ml triamcinolonacetonide 10 mg/ml provided by general practitioners leads to improvement in the short term in participants with de Quervain's tenosynovitis when compared to placebo. [19] (10.1186/1471-2474-10-131)
  • [L4] The presence of a septum does not significantly affect clinical outcomes or complications following endoscopic release for de Quervain's syndrome. [20] (10.1177/17531934231214137)
  • [L3] More negative perceptions of the consequences of de Quervain's tenosynovitis and worse pain catastrophizing are associated with worse pain and reduced function at baseline in patients awaiting surgical decompression of de Quervain's tenosynovitis. [21] (10.1097/corr.0000000000000992)
  • [L4] Patients who scored lower than 40 for physical function or higher than 60 for pain interference had significantly increased odds of eventually undergoing surgical release for de Quervain tenosynovitis. [23] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2023.07.005)
  • [L2] Although the success rate for the treatment of De Quervain's tenosynovitis decreases with multiple injections, repeat injections have a high rate of success and are a viable clinical option. [25] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2021.04.018)
  • [L1] [26] (10.1002/14651858.cd005616.pub2)
  • [L4] Patients with diabetes mellitus have a decreased probability of success following a single corticosteroid injection for de Quervain tenosynovitis in comparison to nondiabetic patients, but the effectiveness of each additional injection does not appear to diminish. [27] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2022.02.018)
  • [L4] Endoscopic release of the extensor compartment seems to be an effective and safe procedure in patients with de Quervain's disease who are unresponsive to nonoperative treatments, despite a little increase in operation time. [28] (10.1016/j.bjps.2011.05.015)
  • [L1] Pain and clinical outcomes significantly improved after corticosteroid injection in de Quervain's disease. [29] (10.1016/j.otsr.2019.11.015)
  • [L1] Endoscopic release for de Quervain's tenosynovitis seems to provide earlier improvement after surgery, with fewer superficial radial nerve complications and greater scar satisfaction, when compared with open release. [30] (10.1302/0301-620x.95b7.31486)
  • [L2] [31] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2008.08.020)
  • [L4] Most informed patients initially elect symptomatic treatment for de Quervain's disease, and most experience symptom resolution within one year. [33] (10.1007/s12593-009-0018-3)
  • [L2] [35] (10.1177/1753193412475043)
  • [L4] [37] (10.1055/s-0040-1716522)
  • [L3] [38] (10.1055/s-0038-1626690)
  • [L3] This finding may question the validity of using the asymptomatic thumb as a standard measure to identify the symptomatic thumb's impairments associated with de Quervain's disease. [39] (10.1197/j.jht.2008.03.004)
  • [L5] Ultrasound is a useful imaging technique for diagnosing de Quervain's disease and provides important information about anatomic variations within the first extensor compartment. [40] (10.1136/bcr-2021-242173)
  • [L4] Ultrasound is a worthwhile preoperative investigation in case of de Quervain's disease. [41] (10.1007/s12593-009-0001-z)
  • [L3] The prevalence of a septated first dorsal compartment is considerably higher than previously reported, most notably in patients with De Quervain tenosynovitis. [42] (10.1177/1558944718810864)
  • [L4] [43] (10.1177/0363546504268134)
  • [L4] In vivo EPB tendon excursion measures have been quantified, and wrist position has been found to have an influence on excursion. [44] (10.1016/j.jht.2017.12.004)
  • [L4] When it does, particularly in patients with de Quervain's disease, it is likely to reside in a subcompartment of the first dorsal compartment. [46] (10.1016/j.jhsa.2008.12.015)
  • [L3] Those subjects demonstrate a significant decrease in maximum velocity in slow fist tasks, highlighting the need for comprehensive assessment to ascertain the full extent of functional limitations that can occur in the setting of hand pathology. [48] (10.1177/1558944717729218)
  • [L2] The anatomical findings are consistent with previous studies, with an expectation to encounter the superficial branch of the radial nerve in more than 50% of patients. [58] (10.1055/s-0039-1688700)

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