DeQuervain’s Tendovagnitis presents with pain over the side of the wrist (the side where the thumb is located). Pain is aggravated with movement of the thumb especially with resisted thumb movement. Pain can also intensify with wrist moving sideways in the direction of the little finger when pinching or holding objects. This is due to tendons being simultaneously stretched and compressed. The tendons that transmit forces from muscle to bone to help you to open your thumb is affected. These tendons run through a tunnel formed by bones at the floor and ligamentous structures at the roof.

Hand Therapy can help DeQuervain’s Tendovagnitis through splinting, a period of 3-4 weeks rest, followed by graded increase in tendon loading. Assessment will also be done to determine the integrity of surrounding structures, and activity modification to improve activity habits and posture can help to reduce symptoms and prevent further strain injury from happening during hand function.