De Quervain's Tenosynovitis

What is De Quervain's tenosynovitis?

De Quervain's tenosynovitis, also known as De Quervain tendinitis or Mommy Thumb, is a condition affecting the tendons on the wrist near the base of the thumb. When these tendons are overused, by playing sports such as golf or tennis or picking up a baby or toddler, they can become swollen and painful.

What are the symptoms of De Quervain's Tenosynovitis?
  • Pain on the wrist near the base of the thumb
  • Swelling on the wrist near the base of the thumb
  • Stiffness or difficulty moving your thumb or wrist
What is the treatment for De Quervain's Tenosynovitis?

Symptoms of de Quervain's Syndrome are likely to disappear after breastfeeding ends. However, in the meantime, the pain and swelling can addressed

Things to try at home:

  • Rest your wrist. If you're breastfeeding, try to adjust your position so that your wrist is not bent.
  • Ice. Apply ice to your wrist for 20 minutes, once an hour. Make sure to wrap the ice to avoid frostbite.
  • Anti-inflammatory medicine. You can find medicine such as ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve) over the counter.

If the symptoms persist, talk to your doctor about occupational therapy, including including splinting, activity modification, modalities, manual treatment, and therapeutic exercise. For rare, serious cases, surgery may be recommended.

Who can help diagnose/treat De Quervain's Tenosynovitis?
  • Primary Care Physician (PCP)
  • Physical Therapist (PT)
Source(s)
  • https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/de-quervains-tenosynovitis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20371337
  • https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000537.htm