Sharp pain in your thumb, it could be De Quervain's

Do you have pain in your thumb? One possible cause of your thumb pain is termed De Quervain’s syndrome.

A quick test you can do is the Finklestein Test as shown in the diagram below. This test is positive if it reproduces your pain and much worse on one hand compared to the other. 

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Figure 1: Thumb Pain - De Quervains’s Syndrome - Physio Frenchs Forest, Physio Macquarie Park

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Figure 2: Thumb Pain - De Quervains’s Syndrome - Physio Frenchs Forest, Physio Macquarie Park

What is de quervain’s syndrome?

De Quervain’s (also known as blackberry thumb) is a condition that affects the two tendons of the thumb. Tendons are connective tissue that attach muscle to bone. 

The tendons affected are the abductor pollicis longus (APL) and extensor pollicis brevis (APB) which travel along the thumb side of the wrist. Just like a fishing pole these tendons run through a tunnel that keeps them in place. This tunnel is lined with a slippery coating called tendosynovium that allows the tendons to move back and forth easier. When these tendons are ‘overused’ then the coating can become inflamed and therefore the tendons become painful with movement of the thumb, gripping objects and pinching. 

 

What causes de quervain’s syndrome?  

The cause is unknown, however we do know the following factors place individuals at a higher risk of developing de quervain’s. 

  • Age: 30-50 years 

  • Gender: Feamles are at a higher risk 

  • Pregnancy: Strong link pre/post pregnancy 

  • Work habits: Occupations involving repetitive hand/thumb movements 

 

Can Physiotherapy help de quervain’s syndrome?

  • Firstly it’s importance the correct diagnosis is made by your physiotherapist. 

  • Once the problem is diagnosed we will educate you on what is possibly aggravating your tendons and what you will need to stop doing. 

  • We will then explain your treatment options:

1)   Individualised thermoplastic thumb and wrist splint that will allow your tendons to rest and settle.

2)   Corticosteroid injection to increase the speed in reducing the inflammation of the tendons. We

understand however this is not for everyone and therefore a splint may be more appropriate. 

See our expert Physiotherapy team at Frenchs Forest and Macquarie Park!

Reece Jones

Principal Physiotherapist 

Set In Motion Physiotherapy 

 

Reece Jonesde quervains, thumb pain, hand therapy, splinting for thumb pain