2002 Intersection Syndrome eMedicine Orthopedics

Description: Multiple conditions can cause radial-sided wrist and forearm pain; the most common are de Quervain tenosynovitis and thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) arthritis. Intersection syndrome (tenosynovitis of the radial wrist extensors) can also cause radial-sided wrist and forearm pain.
Intersection syndrome is tenosynovitis of the radial wrist extensors, extensor carpi radialis longus (ECRL), and extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB). The condition also affects the extensor pollicis brevis (EPB) and the abductor pollicis longus (APL), causing pain and swelling of these muscle bellies. Intersection syndrome is characterized by pain and swelling in the distal dorsoradial forearm.
Intersection syndrome is much less common than de Quervain tenosynovitis, the syndrome with which it is most easily confused.
Synonyms and related keywords: tenosynovitis of the radial wrist extensors, tendinitis, de Quervain tenosynovitis, thumb carpometacarpal arthritis, thumb CMC arthritis, wrist pain, forearm pain
Author: David R Steinberg, MD 2002 Updated 2008