De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis Physiotherapy
Assessment and rehabilitation for thumb-side wrist pain affecting gripping and lifting.
De Quervain's tenosynovitis affects thumb tendons passing through a tunnel beside the wrist. Irritation can make lifting a kettle or holding a baby uncomfortable. It is associated with pregnancy and the period after birth, but affects others too. Unlike carpal tunnel syndrome, it is not nerve compression. Our Newham clinic in Plaistow can assess the likely cause and suitable rehabilitation or referral.
This guide is general information and does not replace a clinical assessment.
- Your clinic
- Newham clinic & directions
Newham Leisure Centre, 281 Prince Regent Lane, Plaistow, London E13 8SD
- Self-pay
£60 for a 30-minute physiotherapy appointment.
Prices & self-pay- Health insurance
Cover depends on your plan and chosen physiotherapist.
Insurance & cash-plan guidance
Common Symptoms
Pain or tenderness on the thumb side of the wrist, sometimes spreading up the forearm.
Discomfort when gripping, pinching, twisting or lifting with the thumb spread away from the hand.
Local swelling and difficulty moving the thumb or wrist comfortably.
Occasional catching during thumb movement, rather than typical finger numbness.
Seek Prompt Medical Advice If You Have
Contact NHS 111 for severe wrist pain, inability to hold objects or a wrist that has changed shape or colour.
Seek urgent assessment for a hot, very painful swelling with fever or feeling unwell.
Contact NHS 111 now for new loss of feeling or marked hand weakness rather than assuming tendon irritation.
After a fall or impact, seek assessment for a possible fracture before treating thumb-side wrist pain as De Quervain's.
If you are unsure, call NHS 111 or seek urgent medical care.
Assessment
Discuss symptom location, onset and changes in childcare, work, hobbies or hand use.
Examine thumb and wrist movement, local tenderness and relevant gripping tasks.
Use appropriate clinical tests while considering joint pain, nerve symptoms or an injury instead.
Agree goals, such as handling household objects, and identify when medical assessment is needed.
Treatment
Adjust repeated thumb and wrist loading while keeping suitable everyday hand activity.
Discuss whether a correctly fitted thumb-and-wrist support or hand-therapy advice may be useful.
Introduce movement and gradual strengthening appropriate to the assessment and current symptom irritability.
Review function and response; persistent or severe symptoms may need a GP or hand-specialist opinion.
Aftercare & self-management
At your appointment, agree which exercises to do, how often to practise them and when to review your progress.
Try using both hands for heavier objects and reduce forceful pinching when this provokes symptoms.
Vary repetitive tasks and take manageable breaks instead of completing a painful task in one long session.
Ask about adapting baby-handling or feeding positions if these repeatedly strain the thumb-side wrist.
Follow any agreed support and exercise plan; do not keep forcing painful online self-tests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the same as carpal tunnel syndrome?+
No. De Quervain's concerns thumb tendons. Carpal tunnel syndrome involves median nerve pressure and commonly causes tingling or numbness. Symptoms can overlap, so assessment matters.
Can looking after a baby aggravate thumb-side wrist pain?+
Repeated lifting and holding can aggravate symptoms, particularly after pregnancy. We can explore more comfortable handling positions without suggesting you should stop caring for your baby.
Do I need a scan for De Quervain's?+
A clinical history and examination are often enough initially. Imaging may be considered if the diagnosis is uncertain or symptoms persist. A recent injury may need a different investigation pathway.
What if exercises and activity changes are not helping?+
The diagnosis and plan need review. A GP or hand service can discuss injections or surgery where appropriate; these are not promised within a routine physiotherapy appointment.
Related Pages
Explore related treatments and condition guides.
Further reading
For public health information, self-care guidance and advice on when to seek medical help:
- Bexley NHS MSK: De Quervain's tenosynovitis
- AAOS OrthoInfo: De Quervain's tenosynovitis
- NHS: wrist pain
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