Causes And Risk Factors Of De Quervain's Tenosynovitis

Repetitive Tasks

De Quervain's tenosynovitis can be caused, in part, by repetitive tasks. Tasks like this may include typing at a keyboard for most of the day, using the thumb to grasp objects repeatedly, or other tasks that require repeated thumb motions. These tasks work sort of like a strain injury. The repetition pulls the muscles too much, taking away some of the time they need to regain their energy. Not enough oxygen will reach the muscles before they run out of energy molecules, so they will be strained. When this happens, pain will begin to radiate from the extensor pollicis brevis and adductor pollicis longus. If a person does not give the thumb time to rest, then the condition will worsen. This is usually what happens with tasks like the ones described above. Without having enough time to recover, the damage will eventually cause the individual to develop de Quervain's tenosynovitis.

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Above Forty Years Old

For reasons not fully understood, individuals above forty years old have an incredibly elevated risk of developing de Quervain's tenosynovitis. There are many potential reasons, so only a few will be focused on. One potential reason is older individuals may not have adequate blood flow to the area. As individuals age, the circulatory system weakens depending on activity levels. With a weaker system, the body will ensure blood gets to the vital organs before it reaches parts an individual can live without. Another possibility is individuals over forty have a decreased ability to perform aerobic cellular respiration. This would mean they do not make enough energy for the muscles to continuously and repetitively move the thumb, contributing to strain. Finally, individuals older than forty may just be at risk for experiencing the effects of years of repetitive strain injuries. The injuries may not be noticed until extensive damage has been done and de Quervain's tenosynovitis symptoms begin to present.

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