Skip to main content
All conditions
Condition

De Quervain's tenosynovitis

Painful swelling of two thumb-side wrist tendons, especially with lifting babies, pouring jugs, or wringing. The tendons are pinched as they pass through their sheath at the wrist.

Common triggers

  • Repetitive thumb extension and abduction
  • Postpartum hand-use patterns
  • Pinch-heavy work and hobbies

When to seek care

  • Pain that limits picking things up
  • Symptoms that don't settle with splinting and rest
  • Swelling, locking, or weakness

Watch a curated demo

Patient education · De Quervain's tenosynovitis
Watch on YouTube

Your practice loop

Pause where you want, then tap A for where the loop starts and B for where it ends. Turn Autoloop off anytime — your A/B times stay saved for this video.

Now 0:00 · Loop 0:00 end of video

Full video. Native YouTube controls stay in the player frame.
TOP 5 Exercises for De Quervain's Tenosynovitis! · Jessica Dudas · verified 2026-04-22Patient education only — not a replacement for advice from your clinician.

Related care

Splints often used

If conservative care is not enough