What is DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis? Diagram showing the 2 inflamed tendons (extensor pollicis brevis and extensor pollicis longus) DeQuervain’s tenosynovitis is inflammation involving 2 of the tendons in the thumb and along the side of the wrist. The names of these 2 muscles are the extensor pollicis brevis and the extensor pollicis longus, as depicted above. First, to break down the naming, the Latin name of the thumb is pollex, hence pollicis, while the “extensor” refers to the movement that the muscles create at the thumb, extension! Lastly, brevis and longus refers to how short (or brief!) or long the muscle…

Anatomy of the 1st CMC Joint The 1st Carpo-meta-carpal (CMC) joint is more commonly referred to as the thumb joint. It is located at the base of the thumb between the carpal bones and the metacarpal bones. It is classified as a saddle joint, meaning it allows the thumb to move freely in many directions. As a result of this mobility, you can perform a wide variety of complicated tasks such as opening a jar, pinching an object, writing, and holding differently shape objects. What is Thumb Arthritis? Arthritis is a general condition that can affect any joint in the…

What is carpal tunnel syndrome? Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common neurological disorder. It  occurs when the median nerve, which runs from your forearm into the palm of the hand, becomes compressed or squeezed at the wrist. Importantly, the median nerve provides feeling to the thumb, index, and middle finger, and part of the ring finger (but not the little finger). Also, it controls some small muscles at the base of the thumb. Sometimes, thickening from the lining of irritated tendons or other swelling narrows the tunnel and compresses the median nerve. For example, a common sign is that you might wake up and feel you need to “shake out” your hand or wrist. What are the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome? Usually, carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms start gradually and includes: Tingling or numbness – You may notice tingling and numbness in the fingers or hand. Usually the thumb…

Trigger finger? What to do Trigger Finger Lately you’ve noticed that your finger seems to be clicking, and maybe it also catches or locks into a bent position. Sometimes you may need to use your other hand to help you “unlock” your finger. What is this? We call this condition trigger finger. Your  finger locks in a flexed position. The position it locks in  resembles the position of a finger when it is pulling a trigger. If you have trigger finger, you may also have: Stiffness and swelling, especially in the mornings. Painful or painless clicking,…