DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF STENOSING TEND OVAGINITIS OF THE EXTENSOR CARPI ULNARIS

Stenosing tenosynovitis over the dorsum of the wrist in the sixth comp artement is seldommentioned in literature. We have collected 28 cases in a four-year periode which demonstrate that the incidence is quite h igh. This condition should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pain over the dorsoulnar aspect of the wrist. On examination firm, fusiform swelling in the sixth compartement was present. Pain was eli cted by active ulnar deviation against resistance. All 28 patients had local infiltration with cortisone, but only 8 patients obtained compl ete relief. 18 of 20 patients had complete relief of their symptoms af ter surgical release of the sixth compartement. We conclude that steno sing tendovaginitis of extensor carpi ulnaris is a relatively common c ondition. Awareness of the syndrome allows accurate diagnosis and trea tment.