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.

Pain and swelling at the base of the thumb and wrist, worse with gripping, twisting, or lifting with the thumb extended.

Repetitive thumb and wrist motion, new parenting (lifting an infant), or direct injury can inflame the first dorsal compartment tendons.

See a hand surgeon if thumb-side wrist pain persists beyond a few weeks despite rest, or limits daily activities.

Clinical examination including the Finkelstein test, which reproduces pain along the affected tendons.

Usually a clinical diagnosis; ultrasound can confirm tendon sheath thickening in uncertain cases.

Thumb spica splinting, activity modification, anti-inflammatory medication, and corticosteroid injection into the tendon sheath.

Surgery is considered when symptoms persist despite splinting and at least one injection.

Release of the first dorsal compartment relieves pressure on the affected tendons, performed as a day case under local anaesthesia.

Light activity typically resumes within days; full grip strength returns over several weeks.

Most patients achieve lasting relief of pain and return to normal thumb and wrist use.

Infection, scar tenderness, and rarely injury to the superficial radial nerve branches.