Have you ever heard the term “blackberry” thumb, iPhone thumb, or cell phone thumb? These are all modern, common names for a condition known as De Quervain’s tendonitis.

When De Quervain’s tendonitis isn’t treated appropriately or if treatment is delayed, it can lead to the development of osteoarthritis.

It is best to seek treatment for this potentially disabling hand condition as soon as possible.

De Quervain’s tendonitis has been around for a long time. Doctors have tried many different things in an attempt to treat this painful condition. Common treatments for De Quervain’s include anti-inflammatory prescription medications, cortisone injections, and even surgery in extreme cases.

However, there are non-surgical treatments that will not only alleviate the symptoms but can correct the underlying problem that caused the condition in the first place.

De Quervain’s tendonitis is a painful condition that affects a couple of the most prominent tendons that control the movements of the thumb. These tendons glide through a pulley system (or sheath) as they pass through the wrist before connecting to the thumb bone.

Healthy thumb movement and action require healthy alignment of the thumb joints and wrist (carpal) bones. When these bones and joints are aligned properly the connecting muscles and tendons will function harmoniously to provide proper thumb movement.

With healthy thumb and carpal bone alignment, you should be able to use your cell phone to send text messages without any pain or discomfort. However, when you lose the healthy alignment of these bones and joints, you can develop stress in the interconnecting tendons and joints. This continued stress over time may lead to De Quervain’s tendonitis.

Once you understand the relationship between healthy thumbs and carpal bone/joint alignment, it becomes apparent why chiropractic adjustments to the wrist and hand can alleviate the stress and dysfunction associated with De Quervian’s tendonitis conditions.

If you suffer from pain in your wrist or thumb, whether it’s related to texting, gaming, or other repetitive activities, we highly recommend that you schedule an appointment with us to have your wrist and hand adjusted.