London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street London SE1 2PR
De Quervain's syndrome
De Quevain's tenosynovitis, pain or difficulty when you move your thumb.
What is De Quervains syndrome?
Two tendons (flexible chords) run between your wrist and thumb. If the sheath that encases these tendons becomes inflamed, you may find it difficult or painful to move your thumb. This is called De Quervain's syndrome.
It's more common in women, particularly after pregnancy. Repetitive movements, when playing sports for example, is also a common cause.
Need to know
Symptoms of De Quervain's syndrome include:
- pain or swelling at the thumb side of the wrist
- difficulty moving the affected thumb
Your consultant will discuss your symptoms with you and help to make a diagnosis.
Your consultant will discuss your treatment options with you. They may include:
- heat or ice to settle the inflammation
- hand therapy and/or a custom-made splint for the affected thumb
- corticosteroid injections may be prescribed in severe cases to reduce swelling
Our De Quervain's syndrome locations
The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place London NW8 9LE
The Harborne Hospital
Mindelsohn Way Birmingham B15 2FQ
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.