Conditions we treat
De Quervain's Tenosynovitis Treatment in Surrey, BC
Sharp pain on the thumb side of the wrist every time you lift your baby, twist a jar or scroll your phone.
What it feels like
- Pain and sometimes swelling on the thumb side of the wrist, just above the wrist crease
- A catch or sharp pain when gripping, twisting, making a fist or lifting with the thumb pointed up
- Worse with lifting a baby or toddler, texting, gaming, knitting or repetitive tool use
Why it happens
Two tendons that move the thumb run through a tight tunnel at the wrist. Repeated thumb-and-wrist movements — classically the "scooping" lift new parents do dozens of times a day, but also phone use, racquet sports, and jobs involving gripping and twisting — irritate the tendons and the sheath around them, so every movement through the tunnel hurts. Hormonal changes around pregnancy and the postpartum period make the tissue more vulnerable, which is why it is sometimes called "mother's thumb" (though it affects everyone).
How we can help
Assessment confirms the diagnosis and rules out the thumb arthritis and nerve problems that can feel similar. Treatment focuses first on settling the irritated tendons — a short period of relative rest or a supportive brace, hands-on techniques and advice on changing the lifting and gripping patterns that keep provoking it — then on gradually loading the tendons so they tolerate your daily demands again. For parents we spend real time on practical lifting, feeding and carrying strategies, because that is where the irritation usually comes from. Most cases settle well without injection or surgery.
Related reading: Repetitive strain injury
Common questions
Should I wear a brace?
A thumb-spica brace can be very helpful in the early, irritable stage, especially overnight and during the activities you can't avoid. It is a tool for settling things down rather than a long-term solution, and your physiotherapist will show you how to wean off it as the tendons recover.
Do I need a cortisone injection?
Injections can help stubborn cases, but many people improve with conservative care alone, and starting there keeps your options open. If your symptoms aren't responding, we'll say so and help you discuss injection with your doctor.