Q I am a housewife in my 40s, and recently, my wrist near my thumb has been hurting a lot. Why is this happening?
A Wrist tenosynovitis (De Quervain's disease) is a condition in which repetitive friction and inflammation occur between the tendon that moves the thumb and the tendon sheath surrounding it. It is primarily caused by twisting the wrist or repetitive thumb movements, and it is common among middle-aged women who perform a lot of housework. As repetitive movements such as cooking, cleaning, and childcare accumulate, pressure within the tendon sheath increases, causing pain.
Detailed Answer
Wrist tenosynovitis is a condition in which inflammation and swelling develop due to the accumulation of repetitive friction in the tendon sheath (synovial membrane) surrounding the tendons of the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis, located on the thumb side of the wrist. As movements that involve bending the wrist inward while using the thumb—such as wringing out a dishcloth, lifting a pot, or holding a child—are repeated, the tendons are compressed within the narrow tendon sheath tunnel, generating frictional heat and causing the tissue to thicken. This leads to a vicious cycle where the thickened tendon sheath further hinders tendon gliding. Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
In Korean medicine, wrist tendons and tendon sheaths are viewed as muscles and fascia, and the liver is considered to supply nutrients to maintain their strength. If blood becomes insufficient due to repetitive overwork or after childbirth and childcare, sufficient nutrients cannot reach the tendons; furthermore, if cold energy permeates the area, circulation becomes blocked, leading to persistent pain. At Dongjedang, we focus on the areas responsible for circulation on the outer side of the thumb and wrist to restore blood flow, and we use fine needles to separate adhered tendon tissues and reduce internal pressure. We aim for a state free from recurrence by replenishing the liver's blood with personalized herbal medicine and eliminating unnecessary fluids and waste products.
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