De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis and Long-Term Disability Claims

If your job requires constant use of your hands and wrists, you know how debilitating hand pain can be. For professionals like assembly line workers, hair stylists, massage therapists, and data entry clerks, De Quervain’s tenosynovitis isn’t just a minor irritation — it can be a career-ending condition. If your long-term disability (LTD) insurance claim has been denied or terminated, you may still have options to fight back.

What Is De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis?

De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is a painful inflammation of the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist. It’s also known as de Quervain’s tendinosis or de Quervain’s tendinitis. It affects the sheath surrounding two specific tendons: the abductor pollicis longus and the extensor pollicis brevis.

Chronic overuse, such as repetitive hand movements, can irritate the tendon sheath. It can also be caused by an injury or rheumatoid arthritis. When these tendons become irritated or constricted, it can cause pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the thumb and wrist.

Symptoms That Can Interfere with Work

The symptoms may seem mild at first, but they often worsen with repeated use. Common signs of De Quervain’s tenosynovitis include:

• Sharp or aching pain near the base of the thumb
• Swelling along the wrist
• Difficulty gripping, pinching, or grasping objects
• Pain that worsens with hand movement or lifting
• A “sticking” or “snapping” sensation in the thumb

For professionals whose work depends on fine motor skills and hand strength, even basic tasks can become painful or impossible. Over time, the persistent discomfort can lead to decreased productivity and increased risk of further injury.

Functional Limitations

De Quervain’s can severely limit your ability to perform tasks that require hand coordination, strength, and endurance. Holding or manipulating tools like hair dryers, pliers, or keyboards can be extremely painful. Fine motor tasks and repetitive motions like typing, lifting, or pushing and pulling objects can worsen symptoms.

Even with conservative treatments such as bracing, anti-inflammatory medications, and corticosteroid injections, some people experience persistent or recurrent flare-ups. In severe cases, surgery may be needed.

Long-Term Disability Claim Challenges

Despite the serious limitations this condition can cause, insurance companies may deny LTD claims involving De Quervain’s tenosynovitis. They may argue that it’s a temporary or minor condition, that you can still work in a lighter capacity, or that there’s not enough objective medical evidence to support your impairment.

Subjective symptoms, like pain and loss of function, often come under increased scrutiny, especially if imaging studies don’t clearly show tendon damage or if the treatment history seems inconsistent. Claimants are often expected to push through the pain or explore other work, even if their symptoms are well documented.

RELATED POST: Objective vs. Subjective Evidence In LTD Claims

Medical Evidence to Support Your Disability Claim

To increase your chances of approval, your claim should include:

• Comprehensive medical records detailing your diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment history.
• Functional capacity evaluations (FCEs) that objectively measure your ability to use your hands and wrists.
• A physician’s statement describing your specific limitations and how they affect your ability to work.

Documentation from your employer describing the physical demands of your job can also help link your limitations to your job duties. Supporting materials like pain diaries, personal statements, and witness statements can round out your claim and give insurers a better understanding of your symptoms and limitations.

How Ortiz Law Firm Can Help

If your LTD claim for De Quervain’s tenosynovitis has been denied or terminated, Ortiz Law Firm can evaluate your case and help you build a stronger appeal. We focus exclusively on disability claims and know how to present evidence in a way that insurance companies will take seriously.

Even if you’re located outside of Florida, we can represent you in your ERISA appeal or lawsuit anywhere in the country. Let us review your denial letter, identify gaps in the evidence, and work with your doctors to develop the kind of support your claim needs.

You don’t have to go through the appeals process alone. If you’re unable to work due to De Quervain’s tenosynovitis and have been wrongly denied disability benefits, contact us today to discuss your options. Call (888) 321-8131 to get started.