Doctor says de quervain's tenosynovitis after examination but I'm not sure?

Bones, joints and muscles
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In the attached photo I have a fine red line which is a long depression in my thumbs thenar muscle groups (flexor pollicis brevis) when I pull my thumb back. Beside it is a straight bump where pressure is. Below the red line at the bottom of the thumb is most of the pain, especially when I press into this area.

I have had detailed x-rays of this area and have had blood work done and nothing has showed up. I went to a rhuematologist and had a physical examination where he passed me for de quarvain's tenosynovitis after I apparently failed the finklesteins test when I only noticed a slight amount of stressing but no real pain. 

I have been taking fish oil 1500mg (2 every 3 hours), Glucosamine chondroitin 1500mg (1 a day), Naproxen 1000mg (1 a day) and 1 Multivitamin tablet a day. I previously tried using Myofascial release the pressure on my thenar but it only proved to temporary release pain and pressure.

In some cases with too much pressure I would find swelling would move to the abductor pollicis or muscle above my thumb. They doctor indentified my pain as more of a mechanical problem than a inflammatory problem and since then I have had no significant improvement in my symptoms in the last 5 months. 

As an additional note I have been playing video games on my Xbox One for a long time in a certain way and I started noticing pain after a long night of playing but since then I haven't really improved much at all. I've done a lot of research into videos  that help treat de quervain's tenosynovitis but doing these excercises didn't relief pressure all that much. 

At the moment I am wearing Kinesthetic tape but it hasn't significantly reduced the swelling/pressure significantly. However it has reduced the pain. The same goes for the Naproxen which I have been taking for 5 days so far and the Glucosamine Chondrotine. I'm starting to really believe there is something physically wrong with my thumb but I'm not sure.

Inflammation seems to be chronic but mild and pain only occurs when I am physical with my thumb for more than 10 minutes. I follow a rountine where I rest my thumb for 6 hours a day and try to excercise it gently by opening my hand rather than closing it. I sleep with my hands open to give them an opportunity to heal and I find having my thumb completely open (in a position away from my palm) helps relieve pressure in the base of my thumb. 

Is there anyone that can help me here or has any advice for me? I am on the verge at going back to the doctor  but the appointments are around $360 an appointment because I don't have a healthcare card at the moment. Any help or any answers regardless is appreciated.

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Hi Matt......I was diagnosed with de Quervain's 9 weeks after my Daughter was born. It really is a very painful and debilitating condition. I opted for steroid injections in both wrists as nothing else worked. Sadly you can only have a maximum of 3 per wrist. 4 weeks ago I had the de Quervain's decompression operation and fingers crossed it is already showing signs of a full recovery. If I were you i would seriously consider the injections. All of mine were highly successful. Sometimes this condition simply disappears following the injections so best of luck for a full recovery

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How did you upload photos , i have been trying to upload and couldn't seem to do it

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Hi Matt

Sorry to hear about your pain n discomfort.

I was diagnosed to have de quarveins about 3 years ago.

Then a year later told I have wearing of my joints (where thumb meets wrist)

I believe I have both. I had a steroid jab on my r hand and that gave me a pain free 5 months. I was told to strap my hands and to rest them completely which I did but as soon as I do anything they start to hurt and I get little bumps on my wrists. This occurs when the fluid that surrounds the tendons are torn and leak. They vanish once I rest my hands. My ultrasound and x rays show tears in my tendons hence the bumps.

I was told 32 years of hairdressing was partly to blame.

I've had to sell my business and am currently recovering from foot reconstruction surgery. Had both feet done now ( r foot june14 and l foot Nov 15. My hands have taken a serious pounding from having to use crutches which I'm still using as I'm only now beginning to learn to walk and having to do daily physiotherapy. I was born with flat feet n years of standing (my job) they totally collapsed and my tendons in my legs had stretched so much I had to have them shortened as well as an ankle fusion and my arch rebuilt with titanium plates n screws!

I'm about to be referred to another specialist as I feel the last one didn't have my interest at heart.

My foot surgeon has recommended his hand specialist ( he too had de quarvains and it was treated successfully)

I would say from experience that the pain will prevail as long as you are using them. When you are required to use force then wear a strap or thumb support.

Oral painkillers are in my opinion not a good idea. Risk of addiction and contraindications far outweigh the benefits.

I use Arnica balm or oil on my feet n hands when they hurt.

I didn't think rubbing anything Into the area would help but it sure does. You can also get arnica in tablet form.

I hear you can't afford treatment or more Investigation ....this isn't going to go away. ..you will need medical intervention. The longer you leave it it gets worse.

I now can't do anything without pain : (

Key points

Rest the affected hand

Wear support

Eat well

I would recommend a steroid jab too as that won't solve the problem but will give you relief.

Take care n feel free to msg me whenever you wish. Knowing someone going thru the same as you helps ...

Nikky