If the thumb-side of your wrist aches when you text, type, lift, or grip, it could be more than a dull annoyance. It might be De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, an often stubborn and persistent thumb tendon issue.
Why Is De Quervain’s So Stubborn?
De Quervain's occurs when the two tendons that help lift your thumb pass through a tight tunnel near the wrist, and that tunnel becomes inflamed or thickened. This area is used constantly for texting, typing, holding objects or repetitive thumb movements. Subsequently, the tendons have little chance to calm down and heal, making recovery slow and frustrating.
Who’s Most at Risk of De Quervain’s?
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is seen far more often in women than men, with women more than twice as likely to develop the condition. The highest incidence occurs between the ages of 40 and 60 (Hassan et al., 2022). Pregnancy and the postnatal period are also strongly linked, likely due to a combination of hormonal and physical changes.
Certain health conditions raise the risk further. People with diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or hypothyroidism are more prone to developing tendon irritation in the wrist and thumb (Fakoya et al., 2023).
Work and lifestyle factors also play a role. Repetitive hand and wrist movements such as typing, scrolling, gardening, knitting or racquet sports, can overload the tendons and trigger symptoms.
Natural anatomical variations mean some individuals are structurally more vulnerable, making them more likely to experience this stubborn wrist pain.
How Physiotherapy Can Help (and Why It Matters)?
A physiotherapist can do much more than give you exercises for your wrist pain - they become your guide to healing.
Here's how:
- Hands-on relief: Techniques like soft tissue massage, taping or splinting ease pain and reduce tendon irritation
- Activity tweaks: Simple changes like gripping differently or modifying daily tasks can remove the strain that keeps reinjuring your tendon.
- Targeted exercise: Early work focuses on gentle movement to reduce pain and maintain mobility. As healing progresses, strengthening and coordination exercises restore control and help prevent relapse.
- Education & support: Knowing why it’s painful, what makes it worse, and how to rest and rebuild wisely is a powerful foundation for lasting relief.
The Bottom Line:
Don’t let wrist pain from everyday tasks go untreated. De Quervain’s can be slow to resolve on its own, but with the right physiotherapy approach, combining hands-on care, activity modification and practical advice, you can recover smarter and sooner.
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References:
- Fakoya, A. O., Tarzian, M., Sabater, E. L., Burgos, D. M., & Maldonado Marty, G. I. (2023). De Quervain’s Disease: A Discourse on Etiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Curēus (Palo Alto, CA), 15(4), e38079. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.38079
- Hassan, K., Sohn, A., Shi, L., Lee, M., & Wolf, J. M. (2022). De Quervain Tenosynovitis: An Evaluation of the Epidemiology and Utility of Multiple Injections Using a National Database. The Journal of Hand Surgery (American Ed.), 47(3), 284.e1-284.e6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhsa.2021.04.018
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