Work related etiology of de Quervain’s tenosynovitis: a case-control study with prospectively collected data

Abstract

BackgroundThe etiology of de Quervain's tenosynovitis (dQ) has been based on conflicting small case series and cohort studies lacking methodological rigor. A prospective case-control study was conducted to analyze the most common risk factors for dQ.MethodsBetween January 2003 and May 2011, 189 patients surgically treated for dQ vs. 198 patients with wrist ganglia (WG) (controls) were identified in our clinic’s electronic database. Sample characteristics, exertional, anatomical, and medical risk factors were compared between groups.ResultsdQ vs. WG differed by average age (52 vs. 43 years) and gender ratio (15/62 vs. 26/39). No significant difference between dQ vs. WG was found after subgrouping professional activities (manual labor: 18 % vs. 26 %, respectively, p = 0.23). No asymmetric distribution of comorbidities, wrist trauma, forceful or repetitive manual work, or medication was observed.ConclusionsNeither heavy manual labor nor trauma could be shown to be predisposing risk factors for dQ.

Ergonomic evaluation of pharmacy tasks.

“…De Quervain disease is the entrapment of the extensor and abductor tendons in the hand [NIOSH 1997]. There is not sufficient scientific evidence to determine a causal relationship between de Quervain tenosynovitis and occupational risk factors such as repetitive and forceful work [Stahl et al 2013[Stahl et al , 2015. However, implementation of ergonomic programs could reduce incidence of musculoskeletal disorders such as de Quervain tenosynovitis [Calvo-Cerrada et al 2012].…”

A Literature Review on De-Quervains Tenosynovitis

“…1 st compartment is present along the lateral aspect of styloid process containing tendons of abductors pollicis loungs (APL) and extensor policis brevis (EPB). On an average, approximately 0.5% of men and 1.3% women of working age suffer from de -quervain's tenosynovits, resulting in 2 million working days lost per year in Germany [6,7,8] .…”

“…De-quervain's believed to result from repetitive, forcefully and ergonomically stressful work from anatomic variation, hormonal influence or pregnancy, rheumatoid disease, trauma, or drug such as floroquinonle [6] . More commonly found in premenopausal or pregnant women, de -quervain's tenosynovitis has been linked to overuse, all though no clear have supported this motion [12] .…”

Dispelling the Myth of Work-Related de Quervain's Tenosynovitis

“…However, the belief that DQT is caused by work-related injury is misdirected, as no study has established an association between hand usage at work or trauma with DQT. 4,5 This erroneous conviction may be precipitated by a system of workmen's compensation that pays individuals not to work.…”