Time to reconsider occupation induced De Quervain's Tenosynovitis: An updated review of risk factors

Abstract

De Quervain's tenosynovitis (DQT) is described to be an attritional and degenerative process, triggered by stenosing inflammation of the tendon sheath in the first dorsal compartment of the wrist. Understanding and targeting the risk factors associated with DQT will help clinicians and patients to reduce its prevalence. This review aims to evaluate the current literature surrounding the risk factors which were divided into the anatomical, patient, and occupational factors associated with the condition. The two main anatomical variations associated with DQT are subcomparmentalization and multiple tendon slips of the abductor pollicus longus (APL) and extensor pollicus brevis (EPB) tendons. DQT is more common in females and is often noted in pregnancy and the postpartum period. When considering occupational factors, work-related activity has not been shown to be a direct cause of DQT, despite leading organisations supporting the converse.