What is it?
De Quervain's tenosynovitis is inflammation of the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist. It causes pain and swelling near the base of the thumb. It is particularly common in new mothers (from lifting babies), avid texters, and anyone who performs repetitive pinching or grasping.
Common causes
- Repetitive thumb and wrist movements
- New mothers frequently lifting infants
- Texting and smartphone use (a growing cause)
- Direct injury to the thumb or wrist
- Inflammatory arthritis
Signs and symptoms
- Pain and swelling on the thumb side of the wrist
- Pain worsening when making a fist, grasping, or turning the wrist
- A positive Finkelstein's test (pain when the thumb is tucked into the fist and wrist deviated downward)
- Occasional clicking with thumb movement
- Difficulty with pinching and holding activities
Physiotherapy treatment at VPARC
- Thumb spica splinting to rest the inflamed tendons
- Ultrasound therapy and soft tissue treatment
- Anti-inflammatory physiotherapy modalities
- Gradual progressive strengthening after pain subsides
- Activity modification to reduce repetitive thumb loading
What you can do at home
- Wear a thumb spica splint during aggravating activities and at night
- Apply ice wrapped in cloth to the thumb-side wrist for 15 minutes
- Avoid pinching, gripping, and wringing activities in the acute phase
- Use the whole hand rather than just the thumb and fingers when lifting
When to visit VPARC
Visit VPARC early. De Quervain's tenosynovitis responds well to physiotherapy and splinting when treated promptly. If physiotherapy alone is insufficient, a corticosteroid injection plus physiotherapy is highly effective.
Call +91 98896 78838 or read more on our Orthopaedic Physiotherapy in Varanasi page. This leaflet is general information and does not replace a medical assessment.