De Quervain's tenosynovitis is inflammation of the tendons and enveloping sheaths of the first extensor compartment of the wrist which harbors the abductor pollicus longus and extensor pollicus brevis. It is a common overuse tendinopathy that affects the patient's daily activities and quality of life. It is characterized by radial sided wrist pain aggravated by thumb movement.
The utilization of ultrasound not only allows confirmation of diagnosis but also its ability to guide the injection under real time visualization offers a higher safety profile. The main sonographic signs include increased retinacular thickenss, increased tendon thickness and peri-tendinous fluid. An intra-compartmental septum which is a variant affecting the management plan can be confidently diagnosed
Management is usually conservative with rest, modification of activity, pain control by analgesics and steroid injection. After failure of these measures, surgical treatment may be offered. Ultrasound guided steroid injection technique proved to alleviate related pain and improve functional status.