4 Things Cyclists Need To Know About De Quervain's Tenosynovitis

De Quervain's tenosynovitis, also known as cyclist's palsy, is a nerve compression injury associated with cycling. Here are four things cyclists need to know about De Quervain's tenosynovitis.

What are the signs of De Quervain's tenosynovitis?

De Quervain's tenosynovitis occurs when your ulnar nerve becomes compressed within one or both of your wrists. If this nerve gets compressed, you'll feel pain inside your wrist when you move your thumbs. You may also feel pain in the area of your first dorsal compartment, which is the area of your wrist below your thumb.

You may also notice that you have a decreased range of motion in your thumbs. The pinch strength between your thumb and forefinger will be decreased, which can make it harder for you to pick up objects. Like other nerve compression injuries, numbness and tingling can also occur.

Why do cyclists develop De Quervain's tenosynovitis?

De Quervain's tenosynovitis is an overuse injury. The ulnar nerve passes through a narrow structure inside your wrist, and when you lean on your handlebars, the nerve gets compressed within this structure. The vibration associated with biking further aggravates the nerve. If you're spending a lot of time on your bike, the prolonged periods of compression can injure your nerve, and if you continue to ride, the problem will only get worse.

How can cyclists prevent this injury?

Fortunately, there are many things cyclists can do to avoid getting this injury. Changes to your cycling technique, like changing your grip periodically during your ride, can help reduce the strain on your wrists. When you grip your handlebars, try to avoid bending your hands backwards or putting uneven strain on your hands.

Changes to your equipment can also be helpful. For example, the addition of either padded cycling gloves or padded handlebars can help to take the pressure off of your hands, as well as to reduce the vibration in your hands. Installing good shock absorbers is also helpful, especially on the front tire of mountain bikes.

How is it treated?

Your doctor can apply a splint to your thumb and wrist to prevent wrist movement and allow the nerve to heal. This is an effective treatment, but many people find the splint annoying and don't wear it consistently.

If you have trouble wearing your splint, corticosteroid injections are the next option. A single injection is enough to cure half of patients, while another 40-45% will be cured by a second injection. Stubborn cases of De Quervain's tenosynovitis can be treated with surgery.

If you experience pain, numbness, or tingling in your hands and wrists after cycling, you may have De Quervain's tenosynovitis. Stop cycling and see your doctor right away for treatment. Visit a clinic, such as Burnsville Family Physicians, for more information about this debilitating condition.