De Quervain's syndrome – symptoms, causes and support for relief
De Quervain's syndrome is a common cause of pain on the thumb side of the wrist. The condition affects approximately 0.5–1% of the population and is more common in women than men. Here you will get a clear overview of what the condition means, what symptoms are common, when you should seek care and what you can do yourself to relieve the discomfort.
What is De Quervain's syndrome?
De Quervain's syndrome means that a tendon sheath in the wrist has become inflamed. You get pain in the wrist on the side where the thumb is located. It especially hurts when you move the thumb, for example when lifting and gripping. The condition can affect anyone but is more common in new mothers and women in menopause.
Common causes & risk factors
The condition is often caused by repeated lifting, work with the thumb in an outstretched position or prolonged gripping. It is common in parents of young children, professions that involve manual work and people who exercise a lot with repetitive hand movements. Another cause that has become common in recent years is intensive texting on a mobile phone. Therefore, the condition is also often called texting thumb.
Symptoms
Common symptoms include pain on the thumb side of the wrist, swelling, and tenderness. The pain worsens when you lift something, extend your thumb away from your hand against resistance, or bend your wrist toward your little finger with your thumb in your palm. Sometimes you may hear a popping sound or feel stiffness in the area.
When should you seek medical attention?
You should seek medical attention if the pain does not improve with rest or if the swelling increases. Prolonged or worsening symptoms should be evaluated by a healthcare provider to rule out other wrist problems.
Recommended protection & support
A thumb and wrist support can relieve the strain on the tendons and reduce friction in the tendon sheath. Avoid movements that provoke pain, such as monotonous and repetitive thumb movements. Use a full-hand grip to distribute the load on all finger joints and work with a straight wrist. Use voice input when texting, if texting is the cause of the discomfort. Exercises to improve mobility and strength in the wrist can be introduced gradually.
View supports that can help relieve symptoms of De Quervain’s syndrome
About the Injury Guide – quick guidance in case of complaints
Our injury guide provides clear and easy-to-understand information about common injuries, how they occur, and what symptoms they usually present. You will also receive recommendations on what protection and aids can relieve your discomfort and help you further in your rehabilitation. All information is based on expert knowledge from our licensed physiotherapist.
For more information about hand and wrist problems, you can find more articles in the Injury Guide Hand & Wrist, and you can also go to the injury guide's main page to read about other injuries and symptoms.
Related injuries:
Find the right protection for your needs
There are several ways to find the right product on our website. For a more personalized selection, you can use our filters and sort by injury, body part or sport. You can also get help from our AI assistant Eir, who is trained on all the content on our website and can help you with product recommendations, fit questions and order-related concerns – 24/7. If you would rather speak directly to our licensed physiotherapist Ida, you can reach her via email or phone for personal advice and support in your product selection.
