Blog, Physiotherapy
De Quervain’s Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment
De Quervain’s Syndrome can turn simple hand movements into painful daily frustrations.
Have you ever felt a sharp pain along the thumb side of your wrist when lifting a baby, opening a jar, or even scrolling on your phone? You’re not alone.
De Quervain’s Syndrome is a common cause of wrist pain, especially among new parents, office workers, and people who perform repetitive hand movements daily.
Left untreated, it can make even simple tasks frustrating and uncomfortable.
Let’s break it down into three key areas to help you better understand the condition:
• What’s happening in your wrist
• The common symptoms to look out for
• The most effective treatment options
What is De Quervain’s Syndrome?
De Quervain’s Syndrome is an irritation of the tendons that run along the thumb side of your wrist. Tendons are strong cord-like structures that connect muscles to bones, helping your thumb move smoothly during gripping, lifting, and twisting movements.
In this condition, two important thumb tendons become irritated:
• Abductor pollicis longus (APL)
• Extensor pollicis brevis (EPB)
These tendons pass through a small tunnel near the wrist. When the tendons become irritated or swollen, the space within the tunnel becomes tighter, making it harder for the tendons to glide properly.
This leads to pain, especially during gripping, lifting, twisting, or repetitive thumb movements.
Think of it like a rope trying to slide through a narrow tunnel. If the rope thickens or the tunnel tightens, movement becomes painful and restricted.
Common Signs of De Quervain’s Syndrome You Shouldn’t Ignore
The symptoms of De Quervain’s Syndrome often develop gradually but can worsen over time if not properly addressed.
Some of the most common signs include:
• Pain at the base of the thumb or wrist
• Pain when gripping or lifting objects
• Swelling near the thumb side of the wrist
• Clicking or catching sensations during thumb movement
• Reduced grip or pinch strength
• Difficulty performing everyday hand movements comfortably
Activities like holding a coffee cup, opening jars, carrying shopping bags, lifting children, or using your phone can quickly become uncomfortable.
A commonly used assessment involves tucking your thumb into your palm and gently bending your wrist sideways. If this reproduces familiar pain, it may indicate irritation consistent with De Quervain’s Syndrome.
What Are Your Treatment Options?
The good news is that De Quervain’s Syndrome often responds very well to early and targeted treatment.
1. Activity Modification and Load Management
The first step is often reducing or modifying activities that aggravate your symptoms. This doesn’t mean completely stopping activity, but rather adjusting how you use your hand and wrist.
For example:
• Using both hands instead of one
• Reducing repetitive thumb movements where possible
• Changing grip techniques during daily tasks
• Taking regular breaks during repetitive activities
Small adjustments can significantly reduce irritation through the tendons.
2. Physiotherapy Treatment
Physiotherapy plays an important role in long-term recovery. At M Physio, physiotherapy treatment focuses on reducing irritation while improving strength, movement, and tendon capacity.
Treatment may include:
• Targeted strengthening exercises
• Hands-on treatment to improve mobility
• Grip and hand retraining
• Advice on reducing repetitive strain
• Education to help prevent symptoms returning
The goal is not only to settle pain temporarily, but to restore proper hand function so you can return to daily activities confidently.
3. Supportive Options
In some cases, additional support can be useful during more painful stages.
Supportive treatment options may include:
• Thumb splints to temporarily rest the tendons
• Anti-inflammatory medication advice from your GP
• Corticosteroid injections if symptoms persist
These options can help reduce symptoms but are often most effective when combined with physiotherapy to address the underlying cause.
Final Thoughts
De Quervain’s Syndrome may begin as a mild annoyance, but without proper management it can become a persistent and limiting condition.
The earlier you address symptoms, the easier it is to improve pain, restore movement, and avoid long-term dysfunction.
If you are noticing ongoing thumb or wrist pain, it’s worth getting it assessed properly. Our physiotherapists at M Physio are experienced in treating hand and wrist conditions and can guide you through a personalised recovery plan.
Book a session with one of our physiotherapists to take the first step toward getting your hand function back on track.
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Written By:
Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Hons) |
References
Anderson, S. E., Steinbach, L. S., & De Maeseneer, M. (2013). De Quervain tenosynovitis and intersection syndrome. Radiologic Clinics of North America, 51(4), 661–674. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcl.2013.03.003
Ahuja, N. K., & Chung, K. C. (2016). De Quervain tenosynovitis: An evidence-based approach. Hand Clinics, 32(1), 85–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hcl.2015.08.002
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