If something isn’t right with your thumb, it’s difficult to ignore. We use our hands thousands of times a day, and our thumbs are crucial to our ability to grip things. There can be many causes of persistent thumb pain, and if you’re not sure what’s going on with your thumb, it’s smart to get it checked out by your primary care provider or orthopedic specialist. One common cause of thumb pain is de Quervain’s tenosynovitis.
What is de Quervain’s tenosynovitis?
Also known as de Quervain’s tendinosis, de Quervain’s tendinitis, or mommy thumb, de Quervain’s tenosynovitis happens when the tendon at the base of the thumb, which connects it to the wrist, gets irritated and inflamed. The name “mommy thumb” came about because the condition is more common among people who care for small children, as the action of repeatedly lifting and carrying a small child puts pressure on these thumb tendons.
“De Quervain’s is often confused with thumb arthritis. However, the pain is very different,” said Summit hand and upper extremity surgeon Robert Anderson, M.D. “Thumb arthritis is usually located in the palm, whereas de Quervain’s is always in the wrist.”
Symptoms of de Quervain’s tenosynovitis include:
- Pain at the base of thumb or wrist
- Swelling at the base of the thumb or the thumb side of the wrist
- Burning pain or tingling over the thumb’s tendons
- Painful clicking and popping
- Weakness with certain gripping, pulling, or lifting movements
It’s important to know that de Quervain’s is most often an overuse injury, caused by repeated stress on the tendon.
What you can do to relieve thumb pain from de Quervain’s
As with most overuse injuries, the best thing to do is stop doing the repetitive motion that is causing the tendon irritation. Of course, with the thumb, that is often easier said than done. It’s not practical, for example, to stop lifting a toddler out of a crib or high chair if you’re the child’s primary caregiver. So, what can be done to relieve the symptoms of de Quervain’s tenosynovitis?
Here are some common treatment options:
- A wrist splint — this device supports your wrist and holds it in a neutral position, enabling you to use your hand while minimizing the repetitive motion that caused the tendon irritation
- Conservative measures, including ice and anti-inflammatory medicines like ibuprofen (Advil) or naproxen (Aleve)
- Cortisone injections, which deliver powerful anti-inflammatory medicine directly to the affected area
- If none of these treatments provide relief, surgery to expand the space around the tendon can be considered
Surgery is rarely necessary for de Quervain’s,” Dr. Anderson noted. “The most effective treatment with immediate relief is a cortisone injection. The vast majority of cases resolve with one injection.”