Typically causes severe pain over the wrist at the base of the thumb when abducting the thumb (as in the "thumbs up" gesture.

Pain worse when trying to lift the thumb against resistance.

Caused by inflammation in the tendon sheath/s of the muscles that abduct the thumb where they run under a firm band at the wrist.

Early diagnosis and treatment can help to avoid surgery, but neglect and misdiagnosis is frequently the case.

Treatment

Initial treatment, if reported in the early stages of the problem is always conservative.

The problem can sometimes be solved by a short period of rest in a splint and oral Non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

An injection of locally-active steroids into the tendon sheath is the next option

Both of these methods reduce the inflammation that is causing pain, swelling and entrapment in the tendon sheath.

When the condition is too well established, commonly because of long-term neglect, surgery is required.

Surgical Treatment is aimed at releasing the band to allow free passage of the tendon

Choose an Option DuPuytren's Correction by Surgical Excision DuPuytren's Correction by Needle Aponeurotomy Back to "Hand Surgery" Book a Consultation Home