Quick Summary
Pain on the thumb side of the wrist when lifting a baby, opening a jar or using your phone may be De Quervain’s. We assess the cause and help adapt everyday tasks while guiding suitable treatment and recovery.
Understanding De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
De Quervain’s affects two thumb tendons where they pass through a tunnel near the wrist. Pain is often felt just above the thumb base. It is different from thumb-joint arthritis, and a fall or other injury may need assessment for a fracture instead.
How we assess your symptoms
We examine thumb and wrist movement, tenderness and relevant tasks. We consider whether a thumb-and-wrist splint could help and when GP review for injection or hand-specialist advice is appropriate.
Image: H. V. Carter / Gray, 1918 · Public domain. Adapted.
Do You Experience These Symptoms?
- Tenderness or swelling on the thumb side of the wrist.
- Pain lifting the thumb, gripping or picking up objects.
- Occasional catching or discomfort when moving the wrist sideways.
An assessment helps guide your next step, based on your symptoms, health and goals.
What may contribute?
It can occur without an obvious trigger and is common in parents caring for a baby. Repeated lifting may aggravate symptoms, but hormonal and other factors may also contribute. Small changes in how you support a baby or carry bags can be discussed.
A treatment plan built around you
Hands-On Manual Therapy
Gentle hands-on treatment may help surrounding forearm discomfort. We avoid repeatedly pressing or forcefully stretching an irritable tendon tunnel; symptom relief is combined with practical load changes.
Is Shockwave Suitable?
Shockwave is not routinely recommended for de quervain’s tenosynovitis. Your assessment will guide appropriate rehabilitation, symptom management and whether medical or specialist review is needed. We will explain why each proposed treatment fits your symptoms before you decide whether to proceed.
Targeted Exercise Programme
Comfortable movement progresses towards thumb and wrist loading as symptoms allow. We can practise lifting with the wrist in a more comfortable position and adapt feeding or caring tasks without imposing unnecessary complete rest.
When to Seek Urgent Medical Help
While most symptoms are not serious, urgent medical attention is required if you experience any of the following:
- Go to A&E immediately after an injury if a joint is deformed or the hand or finger is cold, pale or blue, or has severe loss of sensation. For other severe swelling or inability to use the arm, seek urgent assessment through NHS 111.
- A hot, red, rapidly swollen joint with fever needs urgent medical assessment. Arrange prompt review for persistent numbness, increasing weakness or loss of dexterity.
Your questions answered
Is it common after having a baby?
It can occur during or after pregnancy. The aim is to make essential caring tasks more manageable. This is a wrist assessment and rehabilitation problem; pregnancy massage alone is not a specific treatment.
What if it does not improve?
Persistent pain or difficulty using the hand deserves review. A GP or hand specialist can discuss injection or, in selected cases, surgery. The best next step depends on your examination and preferences.
Which appointment should I book?
Choose a Physiotherapy Initial Assessment for new, persistent or uncertain symptoms. We will assess what is limiting you, explain the options and agree the next steps. If you already have a diagnosis, bring any relevant scan report or specialist advice. If this began during pregnancy or after birth, Women’s Health Physiotherapy can include advice for your daily caring tasks.
Visit J&J Therapy on the ground floor of CI Tower, New Malden. Book an assessment or call our reception team on 07935 869938 if you are unsure which service to choose.
Related conditions
Thumb CMC arthritis · Wrist tendonitis
Sources and further reading
This page is for general information only and does not replace professional medical advice.
Information updated 15 October 2026. General information to support informed choices; it is not a diagnosis or a personalised treatment plan. Suitability and any need for referral are assessed individually. Seek urgent medical help for the warning signs listed above.