Understanding De Quervain's Tenosynovitis 

De Quervain's Tenosynovitis, often referred to simply as De Quervain's, is a painful condition that affects the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist. These tendons are responsible for moving the thumb. When they become irritated or inflamed, it can result in pain and discomfort. 

Causes of De Quervain's 

The exact cause of De Quervain's is not always clear, but it is often associated with the following factors: 

Overuse or repetitive movements: Activities that involve repetitive thumb and wrist movements, such as texting, typing, gardening, or playing musical instruments, can strain the tendons and lead to inflammation. 

Injury or trauma: A direct injury to the wrist or thumb area can trigger inflammation of the tendons. 

Anatomical factors: Some individuals may have an anatomical predisposition that makes them more susceptible to this condition. 

Symptoms of De Quervain's 

Recognising the symptoms of De Quervain's is essential for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

Common signs include: 

Pain: Pain at the base of the thumb or on the thumb side of the wrist, which can radiate up the forearm. 

Swelling: Swelling and tenderness may be present at the site of inflammation. 

Difficulty with thumb movement: Difficulty moving the thumb, especially when grasping or pinching objects. 

Catching or snapping sensation: Some individuals may experience a catching or snapping sensation when moving the thumb. 

Weakness: The thumb's weakness makes it challenging to perform tasks requiring thumb and wrist movement. 

Treatment and recovery

The treatment of De Quervain's typically involves a combination of conservative measures to alleviate symptoms: 

Consult with an expert: An Accredited Hand Therapist is a physiotherapist or occupational therapist with expertise in the finger, hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder.

Rest and immobilisation: The first steps are often resting the affected hand and avoiding activities that exacerbate symptoms. Wearing an orthosis or brace to immobilise the thumb and wrist can also help. 

Ice and anti-inflammatory medications: Applying ice to the affected area and taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications can reduce pain and swelling. 

Heat: Heat may be prescribed during treatment.

Rehabilitation exercise: After the initial healing phase, an Accredited Hand Therapist will prescribe exercises and techniques to improve thumb strength and range of motion. 

Corticosteroid injections: An Accredited Hand Therapist may sometimes recommend a corticosteroid injection to reduce inflammation. 

Lifestyle modifications: Making ergonomic changes in daily activities to reduce strain on the thumb and wrist can help prevent recurrence. 

Surgery: If conservative treatments are ineffective, surgical intervention to release the irritated tendons may be recommended by an Accredited Hand Therapist

Find a local Accredited Hand Therapist

Patients can find a local Accredited Hand Therapist on our website using the link below.

Find an Accredited Hand Therapist