Overview
Two tendons run from the thumb down the side of the wrist through a narrow tunnel. In De Quervain's tenosynovitis, these tendons and their covering become thick and irritated. They no longer glide freely, so moving the thumb and wrist hurts.
Repeated hand and wrist movements, lifting babies, and hormone changes in pregnancy can play a part.
Symptoms
Pain is worse when you use your thumb and wrist.
- Pain on thumb side of wrist when you grip, make a fist, or turn your wrist
- Hand, finger, or wrist pain near the base of the thumb
- Swollen wrist near the base of the thumb
- Weak grip or dropping things, trouble pinching
Less common
- A catching or snapping feeling when moving the thumb
- Numbness in the thumb and index finger
- Stiffness moving the thumb or wrist
How it usually goes
- Weeks: Pain builds with repeated use.
- 4 to 6 weeks: Usually better with early treatment.
- Pregnancy: Often goes away after pregnancy or after breastfeeding ends.
When to get medical care
Causes
Repeated hand and wrist motions can irritate the tendons. Lifting babies and toddlers, sports like tennis, golf, or rowing, wrist injuries, rheumatoid arthritis, and fluid buildup in pregnancy can also cause it.
Does it spread or run in families?
- It isn't contagious. You can't catch it from someone else.
Who is more likely to get it
- Being female
- Age 40s and 50s
- Pregnancy or caring for a baby
- Rheumatoid arthritis
Diagnosis
A healthcare professional can usually tell from an exam. X-rays usually aren't needed.
Questions you may be asked
- Where it hurts and when it started
- Activities with gripping or lifting
- Recent pregnancy or caring for a baby
- Rheumatoid arthritis or a wrist injury
The exam
They'll press on the thumb side of the wrist.
Tests
Tests may include:
- Finkelstein test: You fold your fingers over your thumb and bend your wrist toward your little finger. Pain on the thumb side suggests De Quervain's.
Treatment
Treatment aims to calm the irritated tendons and keep the thumb still.
Self-care
- Wear a thumb splint to rest the tendons
- Avoid repeating the movements that hurt
- Don't pinch or grip while moving your wrist side to side
- Apply ice to ease pain and swelling
- Change how you lift babies, keeping your wrist straight
Medicines
Pain relievers can ease pain and swelling.
| Medicine | Helps with | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Anti-inflammatory pain relievers Ibuprofen | Pain and swelling | Follow the label. Ask first if pregnant or breastfeeding. |
| Steroid shot | Swelling and pain | Often one shot is enough if given early. |
A steroid shot into the tendon covering often helps. If treatment starts early, symptoms usually improve within 4 to 6 weeks. A therapist can teach exercises. Surgery to open the tunnel may be needed if other treatments don't work.
How it compares
| De Quervain's | Carpal tunnel | Trigger finger | Hand osteoarthritis | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Where | Thumb side of wrist | Palm side; thumb to ring finger | Base of a finger | Thumb base and finger joints |
| Main sign | Pain moving thumb and wrist | Numbness and tingling | Catching or locking | Stiffness and bony bumps |
Prevention
You can lower strain on your wrist:
- Take breaks from repeated hand motions
- Keep your wrist straight when lifting
- Hold babies with your whole arm, not just your hands
Which doctor treats this
- Start with your primary care provider (family doctor or internist).
- They may send you to an orthopedist (bone and joint doctor).
Children, pregnancy, and older adults
- New parents: Common within weeks after having a baby, from lifting the baby and hormone changes.
- Pregnancy: Often goes away by the end of pregnancy or after breastfeeding ends. Ask before taking medicine.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- If you're pregnant or planning to be, tell your prenatal provider about this condition.
- Don't start or stop any medicine on your own. Some are safe in pregnancy and some need to be changed.
- Ask before taking any pain reliever. The FDA advises avoiding ibuprofen and naproxen after 20 weeks unless your doctor says to.
- Breastfeeding: Most medicines are fine, but ask. The NIH LactMed database lists what's known about each one.
Outlook
Most people recover well with treatment, especially if it starts early.
Getting ready for your visit
Note what movements hurt.
What to bring
- When pain started
- Activities that make it worse
- Medicines you've tried
Questions to ask
- Do I need a splint, and for how long?
- Would a shot help?
- What exercises should I do?
- When should I think about surgery?
Research studies
Research studies test new ways to find and treat health problems. Some are looking for volunteers. Talk with your doctor before joining one.
Search ClinicalTrials.gov for studies on De Quervain's tenosynovitis
Sources
- Mayo Clinic: De Quervain tenosynovitis
- AAOS OrthoInfo: De Quervain's Tenosynovitis
- MedlinePlus: De Quervain tendinitis
Last updated 2026-11-12.