Wrist & hand
De Quervain's Tenosynovitis (Thumb-Side Wrist Pain)
De Quervain's is pain on the thumb side of the wrist from irritated thumb tendons. Common in new parents lifting babies and heavy phone users — hence 'mummy thumb'.
Common symptoms
- Sharp pain on the thumb side of the wrist when gripping, pinching or lifting
- Pain turning the wrist, wringing a cloth or opening jars
- Tenderness and sometimes mild swelling over the bony bump on the thumb side
- Pain lifting a baby, a kettle or a heavy phone
- A catching or snapping feeling when moving the thumb
- Pain that spreads up the forearm on the thumb side
Overview
Two tendons that move the thumb away from the hand run through a narrow tunnel on the thumb side of the wrist, just above the bony bump you can feel there. De Quervain's tenosynovitis is irritation and thickening of the sheath around these tendons, so they no longer glide smoothly. The result is sharp pain on the thumb side of the wrist whenever you grip, pinch, lift or turn the wrist.
It is often called "mummy thumb" or "baby wrist" because it is so common in parents of young babies: repeatedly lifting a baby under the arms with the thumbs spread puts the tendons under heavy load, and hormonal changes after birth may make the tendons more vulnerable. It is also increasingly common in people who spend hours scrolling and typing on a phone with one thumb, and in gardeners, gamers, hairdressers and anyone using repetitive thumb-and-wrist movements.
Pain usually builds gradually over weeks. There may be mild swelling over the tendon tunnel and a catching sensation when moving the thumb. Most cases settle with load management and treatment over a few months, but it can be stubborn while the triggering activity continues — which, with a baby, is often unavoidable, so technique changes matter a great deal.
Causes and risk factors
- Repeatedly lifting a baby or toddler, especially under the arms with the thumbs spread
- Pregnancy and the months after birth
- Heavy one-thumb phone use, gaming or texting
- Repetitive gripping and wrist turning: gardening, DIY, hairdressing, knitting, racket sports
- Age 30–50, and more common in women
- A new activity with a sudden increase in thumb use
- Inflammatory arthritis
How we may be able to help
Our assessment confirms the diagnosis with a specific test that loads the thumb tendons, and rules out other causes of thumb-side wrist pain such as thumb base arthritis or a wrist ligament injury. We do not provide splinting or hand therapy; where a thumb splint is likely to help, we will advise on this. If the picture is unclear, we can arrange an online private GP consultation for an ultrasound scan or specialist opinion.
Physiotherapy focuses on calming the tendons and then rebuilding their tolerance: advice on changing lifting technique (scooping the baby with the forearms rather than lifting with spread thumbs), a graded exercise programme for the thumb and wrist, and strengthening of the forearm and shoulder so the wrist works less hard. Kinesiology taping can offload the tendons during daily tasks and is popular with parents who cannot avoid lifting.
Hands-on treatment includes gentle soft tissue work and IASTM along the forearm muscles that feed the tendons, and dry needling for tight forearm muscles. Therapeutic ultrasound over the tendon tunnel may ease pain and support settling of the sheath. For persistent cases that have not responded over several months, focused shockwave may be considered.
What you can do at home
- Lift your baby by scooping under the bottom and back with your forearms, keeping your thumbs close to your fingers
- Use both hands and keep the wrist straight when lifting a car seat, pram or pan
- Switch to two-thumb or voice typing, and hold your phone with the other hand
- Ice the thumb side of the wrist for 10–15 minutes after busy periods if it eases pain
- Try gentle thumb and wrist movements within comfort rather than resting the hand completely
- Support your forearm on a cushion when feeding so the wrist is not bent and loaded
When to seek urgent help
If you have any of the following, call us straight away for an urgent same-day appointment — we can examine you and arrange fast-track X-ray or MRI through our imaging partner. If you cannot reach us, go to A&E. For loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the groin, chest pain, a sudden severe headache or rapidly worsening weakness, call 999 or go to A&E immediately:
- Thumb-side wrist pain after a fall onto the hand, with swelling and tenderness in the hollow at the base of the thumb — possible scaphoid fracture, needs an X-ray
- A hot, red, swollen wrist with fever
- Numbness or weakness spreading through the hand
- Pain and swelling affecting several joints in both hands
Frequently asked questions
I have a newborn — how can I rest my wrist?
Complete rest is rarely realistic. The key is technique: scoop with your forearms, keep thumbs tucked, support the wrist when feeding, and share lifting where possible. Taping can help during the busiest periods, and the condition often settles as the baby's needs change.
Should I wear a thumb splint?
A thumb spica splint helps many people in the early, painful phase. We do not make or fit splints, but we will advise whether one is likely to help and what to look for.
Will it go away on its own?
It can, especially once the triggering activity reduces, but it often lingers for months without changes to load and technique. Treatment aims to shorten that process and reduce recurrence.
Is this the same as thumb arthritis?
No. De Quervain's affects the tendons above the wrist bone; thumb base arthritis affects the joint at the base of the thumb itself, usually in people over 50. The two can be told apart by examination.
This page is general information, not a diagnosis. A clinician will assess you before recommending any treatment. Outcomes vary from person to person. Written with reference to NHS and other peer-reviewed guidance.
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