On a Form of Chronic Tendovaginitis by Dr. Fritz De Quervain in La Chaux-de-Fonds. 1895

This paper represents the first English translation of the original article "On A Form Of Chronic Tendovaginitis" by Fritz de Quervain, published in 1895. This classic paper describes the natural history, symptomatology, pathology, and etiology of stenosing tenovaginitis of the first dorsal compartment (de Quervain's tenosynovitis). Dr. de Quervain also discusses the differential diagnosis for this disorder, his approach to management of the problem, and the results of surgical treatment in this series of collected patients. The paper concludes with a brief discussion of trigger digits. In addition to providing a classic description of the disease, the paper makes the following points that should prove of particular interest to the orthopedic surgeon. First, the term "de Quervain's tenosynovitis" is a misnomer. In fact, Dr. de Quervain credits Dr. Kocher with the first description of the disease and its first surgical treatment. Second, treating orthopedists have much to learn from this eloquent description of a common problem, particularly because the management of this disease has changed little since de Quervain's paper was first published.