De Quervain’s tendonitis—also known as de Quervain’s syndrome or de Quervain’s tenosynovitis—goes by many different names and nicknames. But they all share the same primary symptom: pain on the thumb side of your wrist that you’ll likely feel when you grasp something, make a fist, or turn your wrist.
This chronic pain condition can be caused by the awkward, repetitive hand positions involved in holding and caring for your newborn. It can make performing basic parenting tasks challenging, from bathing to feeding.
Other symptoms and factors
De Quervain’s tendonitis is marked by inflammation in the tendon that runs down your forearm, through your wrist, and all the way to your thumb. As a result, it can also cause:
- Swelling or tenderness near the base of your thumb
- Pain that radiates out to your thumb or forearm
- Popping or snapping sounds when moving your thumb
- A stop-and-go sensation when moving your thumb
- Difficulty moving your thumb while grasping or pinching
In addition to parents of infants, this condition can occur in those who have jobs or hobbies involving repetitive hand/wrist/thumb movements, pregnant people (due to fluid retention), and those with inflammatory arthritis or a wrist or tendon injury.
Getting diagnosed and treated
De Quervain’s tendonitis is typically confirmed with a simple evaluation. X-rays or other imaging tests aren’t generally needed to make a diagnosis. To start, your healthcare provider may check to see if you feel pain when pressure is applied to the thumb side of your wrist.
Another way to diagnose it is called a Finkelstein test, in which you bend your thumb across your palm, bring your fingers down over your thumb, and then bend your wrist toward your little finger. If this causes pain on the thumb side of your wrist, you may have de Quervain’s tendonitis.
Once diagnosed, treatment may involve a combination of home remedies, lifestyle changes, and medical interventions, such as:
- Taking non-prescription anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen or using anti-inflammatory gel (diclofenac)
- Applying ice to reduce pain and swelling
- Wearing a brace or splint to help immobilize and rest your tendons
- Avoiding repetitive hand/wrist/thumb movements that cause pain and swelling
- Seeing a physical therapist or occupational therapist to learn exercises or modifications
- Getting corticosteroid injections directly into the tendon to decrease inflammation
- Pursuing outpatient surgery to release pressure on the tendon in more serious cases
Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team
Sources:
- Mayo Clinic Staff. “De Quervain tenosynovitis.” Mayo Clinic. August 4, 2022. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/de-quervain-tenosynovitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20371332
- Hospital for Special Surgery Staff. “De Quervain’s Syndrome.” HSS. Accessed July 2024. https://www.hss.edu/condition-list_de-quervain-syndrome.asp
