De Quervain’s disease
An inflammatory condition that affects one of the tendons of the muscles that are used to move the thumb. In de Quervain’s disease, the sheath (covering) of this tendon becomes so thickened and inflamed that the tendon cannot any longer move through the sheath easily and smoothly and thumb movements are painful. The inflammation is usually caused by overuse of the thumb.
Treatment is administered with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroid drug injections into the affected tendon sheath, which can be useful in relieving the inflammation, but in extreme cases surgery is needed to loosen the sheath. Rest is also recommended.