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Overview of De Quervain's Tenosynovitis
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De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis is a condition where the layer of tendons on the thumb side of your wrist becomes inflamed or swollen. This restricts the tendons’ movement and causes discomfort and pain when turning your wrist, grasping for something or making a fist. Sometimes there is also a slight swelling and redness in this area.
Diagnosis of De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
It is diagnosed from the appearance, location of pain, and tenderness of the affected area. If you experience pain with the Finkelstein test where the thumb is folded across the palm and the fingers are flexed over the thumb as the hand is pulled away from the involved wrist area, it may be another indication of the condition.
Work Related De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis often occurs in individuals who perform repetitive activities with their hands, such as secretaries and assembly line workers.
For example, consider the case of a 41-year-old right-handed bookkeeper who would arrive at work in the morning and sit at a desk where she rotated herself toward a table on her left to count bills and receipts with her left hand and then use a computer keyboard in the afternoon. She had no hobbies, but did routine housework and cooking for herself and husband. If the job activities caused, aggravated, accelerated or in any way contributed to the problems, then it would be an Illinois work injury claim.
What causes De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis?
The most common causes are overuse and repetitive trauma situations. Heavy use of the thumb and excessive gripping or squeezing can be a big contributor. It can also happen from actions that cause you to over-extend your wrist. Although anyone can get this problem, it is most commonly seen in women.
Treating De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
Treatment may include a combination of rest, splinting, ice, anti-inflammation medication, and/or cortisone injection. Cortisone injection has been shown to be very effective and is typically the best treatment. After an injection, normal activity may even be resumed within three weeks. Surgery is rarely necessary and is usually only performed if there is persisting inflammation after failed cortisone injections.
Attorney’s fees
Regardless of how you acquired De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis – whether from work related activities or something else – your attorney should work on a contingency basis. So, you will not pay any attorneys’ fees unless you obtain a recovery. Also, your attorneys should advance all of the associated costs of the litigation. You should not be paying anything out of pocket. If you win, all fees, costs and expenses will come from the recovery amount. Most De Quervain cases are from Illinois repetitive trauma workers’ compensation cases. Lawyer fees in those cases are capped by state law at 20% of what you recover.
Choosing an Attorney
There is no such thing as the best Illinois De Quervain’s lawyer, but rather you need to find out who is best for your unique case. This is why people come to us. Any attorney that we recommend will have handled hundreds of repetitive trauma cases in the past and will truly understand the medicine and how these injuries are work related. This doesn’t guarantee a result, but does give you the best chance for a successful result.
If you would like our helping in finding a repetitive trauma law firm in Illinois, please contact us at (800) 517-1614. We will speak with you for free and do whatever we can to help you. All calls are free and confidential.