Pain on the thumb side of your wrist that flares when you grip, pinch, lift or turn your hand can be surprisingly limiting, especially when it interferes with everyday tasks like lifting a baby, carrying bags or using your phone. It is often a condition called De Quervain's tenosynovitis, and many people do not realise a physiotherapist can help.
Here is what De Quervain's actually is, how it differs from carpal tunnel, what conservative care helps, and when it is worth seeing a physio.
In this article
What is De Quervain's tenosynovitis?
De Quervain's tenosynovitis is an irritation of the tendons that run to your thumb where they pass through a narrow tunnel on the thumb side of the wrist. It typically causes pain and tenderness on the thumb side of the wrist that flares with gripping, pinching, lifting and turning the wrist.
A common midlife problem
It often peaks between about 40 and 60 years of age, and is common in new parents and people who do a lot of gripping or device use.
It is also common in new parents and people who do a lot of gripping or device use.
What causes De Quervain's?
It is usually a load-related problem where the demand on the thumb tendons outpaces what they are used to. Common contributors include:
- Repetitive thumb and wrist movements, gripping and pinching
- Lifting a baby or young child frequently
- Heavy phone and device use
- A sudden increase in a new task or activity
It is rarely one single factor, and it often builds gradually rather than from a single moment.
Is it the same as carpal tunnel?
No. This is a common mix-up. De Quervain's affects the thumb-side tendons at the wrist and hurts with gripping and thumb movements. Carpal tunnel involves the median nerve and usually causes pins and needles or numbness in the thumb, index and middle fingers, often at night. They are different problems with different management, which is why a proper assessment is helpful before you start treating the wrong thing.
What actually helps De Quervain's?
First-line care is conservative, not surgical. Commonly helpful approaches include:
- A thumb-and-wrist splint to rest the irritated tendons
- Modifying the aggravating gripping and lifting tasks for a period
- A graded programme of mobility and progressive strengthening
- Guidance on returning to your usual activities
Many people improve with conservative care tailored to their hand and their daily demands, and a physio can guide the plan.
How long does De Quervain's take to settle?
De Quervain's often responds to conservative care, but timelines vary from person to person and depend on how long it has been going and how much thumb and wrist load your day involves. Sticking with a sensible plan of relative rest, activity modification and graded loading usually matters more than any single treatment. A physio can help you judge progress and return to your usual tasks.
When should you see a physio?
See a physio if your thumb-side wrist pain is limiting your daily tasks, is not settling, or you want a clear plan to recover. It is also worth getting assessed if the pain is severe, followed an injury, or comes with significant swelling or loss of movement, as these may need a tailored plan.
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Helping You Perform at Your Best
At ACE Sports Medicine in Upper Mount Gravatt, our physiotherapists provide personalised care for De Quervain's and wrist and hand pain across Brisbane's southside, from settling symptoms to a graded return to your usual activities. Your first appointment includes an assessment and a starter plan so you know your next step.