de Quervain’s Tenosynovitis

de Quervain’s tenosynovitis is inflammation of the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist, causing pain with thumb and wrist movement. It’s especially common among new parents (from repetitive lifting motions) and people whose work or hobbies involve repetitive wrist and thumb motion.

• Pain along the thumb side of the wrist, worsened by gripping or twisting
• Swelling near the base of the thumb
• A “catching” or “snapping” sensation with thumb movement
• Positive discomfort with the classic Finkelstein test (thumb tucked into fist, wrist bent toward the pinky)

Repetitive gripping, lifting, or twisting motions are the most common causes, which is why the condition is sometimes referred to informally as “mommy thumb” or “texting thumb.” It can also occur without a clear repetitive cause.

Thumb spica splinting – Activity modification – Anti-inflammatory medication or corticosteroid injection – Surgical release of the tendon sheath for persistent cases

Our hand therapy team provides custom thumb spica splints and activity-modification guidance that resolve many cases without surgery, and coordinate surgical release with post-operative therapy when it’s needed.