De Quervain’s Physiotherapy
De Quervain’s commonly presents as discomfort on the thumb side of the wrist, and is often aggravated by lifting a baby, carrying, wringing a towel, or repeated hand use. In some cases, symptoms are also more noticeable during gripping, pinching, or thumb-based effort, and may affect everyday hand use.
If the discomfort is more general around the wrist and is not mainly focused on the thumb side, you may also refer to [Wrist Pain Physiotherapy].
Common symptoms
- Pain on the thumb side of the wrist
- More noticeable when lifting a baby or carrying objects
- Discomfort when wringing a towel or twisting the wrist
- More pain during thumb loading or pinching
- More easily aggravated after repeated hand use
How physiotherapy assesses
Physiotherapy usually begins by looking at whether the discomfort is mainly around the thumb side of the wrist, which movements provoke it most, and how the symptoms respond to lifting, twisting, carrying, or thumb-based effort. Where appropriate, wrist movement, thumb-related function, and everyday hand-use patterns may also be reviewed to determine whether the presentation is more consistent with De Quervain’s.
How physiotherapy may help
Physiotherapy may include activity modification, appropriate wrist and thumb-related exercises, loading advice, and graded rehabilitation according to symptom location, hand-use demands, and activity response. The aim is to improve discomfort around the thumb side of the wrist and restore tolerance for daily hand use progressively.
Related Conditions
Wrist Pain
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Tennis Elbow
Not sure whether your condition falls into this category?
You may first arrange a physiotherapy assessment to understand the more suitable management approach according to your symptoms, activity needs, and rehabilitation goals.