De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis

Wrist and thumb pain from repetitive movements, what it is, why it happens, and how to treat it

If you feel pain at the base of your thumb or along the outer side of your wrist, especially when gripping, twisting, or lifting, you may be dealing with De Quervain’s tenosynovitis. It is a common overuse condition involving the tendons that help your thumb move, and it can make everyday tasks like opening a bottle, scrolling on your phone, or lifting a baby surprisingly painful.

What is De Quervain’s?

De Quervain’s is an inflammation (or irritation) of the tendon sheath in the first extensor compartment of the wrist, near the radial styloid (the bony bump on the thumb side of your wrist). Two key tendons run through this area:

• Abductor pollicis longus
• Extensor pollicis brevis

When the sheath around these tendons becomes inflamed, it narrows the space available for smooth movement. That friction is what typically triggers pain, tenderness, and sometimes swelling.

Common symptoms

De Quervain’s tends to build up over time. People often notice:

• Pain on the thumb side of the wrist, especially with gripping or lifting
• Tenderness when you press near the radial styloid
• Swelling around the base of the thumb or wrist
• Pain when twisting the wrist or moving it toward the little finger side
• Discomfort during thumb movements like extension and abduction
• Occasionally, a “nerve-like” sensation or tingling, because branches of the radial nerve run close to the area

Who is most at risk

The main driver is repetitive strain and overload of the wrist and thumb. It is more common in women, often between 30 and 50, and it is frequently seen in people who:

• Use smartphones or computers for long periods
• Do repetitive hand tasks (cooking, cleaning, manual work)
• Play certain instruments
• Are postpartum or caring for a newborn, due to repeated lifting and holding positions

How it is diagnosed

Diagnosis is usually clinical, meaning a doctor can often identify it based on your symptoms and a physical exam. A classic test is the Finkelstein test, where the thumb is placed inside the fist and the wrist is gently moved toward the little finger side. If this reproduces sharp pain on the thumb side of the wrist, it may indicate De Quervain’s.

When imaging is helpful, an ultrasound is often the best first choice to assess inflammation and tendon sheath changes.

Treatment and recovery

Treatment depends on how early you start and how severe the symptoms are. In many cases, conservative care works well.

Conservative options may include:

• Rest and activity modification (reducing the movements that trigger pain)
• Ice applied correctly, sometimes multiple times a day
• Anti-inflammatory medication, if appropriate for you
• Taping and/or a night splint to reduce stress on the tendons
• Injections, in selected cases and based on a clinician’s evaluation

If symptoms persist or the condition is advanced, a specialist might discuss surgical release, which creates more space for the tendons to glide smoothly. After surgery, the thumb is typically immobilized for around two weeks, while the other fingers remain free.

When to seek medical advice

You should consider speaking to a doctor if:

• Pain lasts more than a few days and keeps coming back
• You notice swelling that is not improving
• Symptoms interfere with work, travel, childcare, or sleep
• You have tingling, numbness, or weakness in the hand
• You are unsure whether it’s De Quervain’s or something else (like thumb arthritis)

How MedinAction can help

If you develop wrist or thumb pain while traveling or living abroad, MedinAction can help you get assessed quickly and safely. Our doctors can:

• Evaluate your symptoms and advise on the most likely cause
• Recommend next steps for pain control and recovery
• Guide you on whether you need imaging (such as an ultrasound) or an in-person specialist visit
• Support you with follow-up care if symptoms persist