The Best De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis Brace

Last Updated on December 7, 2023 by theosteomum

If you’re looking for the best De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis brace, you’ve come to the right spot.

This brace gives you all the support you need, without any unnecessary bulk. It allows you to move your other fingers, while still providing the much-needed bracing to your wrist and thumb.

But first, to save you weeks of added pain and buying something that may not be right for you, let’s take a moment to work out:

1.  If you’re really suffering from De Quervain’s, and
2.  If a brace is the best form of treatment for you.

Have you really got De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis?

De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis results from inflammation of the tendons and their sheath just under the base of the thumb.

It is a painful condition that is usually caused by overuse.

De Quervain’s is most common in women aged 30-50 years old.

It is especially prevalent in either pregnant women or new mothers. Having said this, it can occur in men, or women of other ages too.

De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis is thought to affect about 0.5% of men, and 1.3% of women.

Interestingly, you’re more likely to experience it if you’ve suffered either tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow in the past.

The group who most commonly experience De Quervain’s are new mothers. Their postpartum wrist pain often involves both sides. It often resolves once the baby grows up a little and doesn’t need to be lifted so often.

Symptoms of De Quervain’s tenosynovitis include:

• Pain and/or along the thumb side of the wrist, which is aggravated by using the wrist and thumb
• A “catching” or “snapping” sensation that occurs when you use the thumb
• Pain can sometimes go up the forearm towards the elbow

What causes De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis?

De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is caused by inflammation of two tendons and their sheath on the thumb side of the wrist. These two tendons are tightly held against the bones of your wrist by a layer of tissue known as a “sheath”.

When the tendons are repetitively used in certain movements, they can become irritated. This makes movements that use these tendons painful.

There are two main hand positions that can lead to this condition. These are:

1. Your thumb is repeatedly stretched out away from your palm in a position called “radial abduction”. The best way to visualise this thumb position is to make a “pretend gun” with your hand, like in the image below. The rest of your fingers don’t have to be held in this position though for your thumb to be in the “radial abduction” position. The “pretend gun” is just an easily recognisable way to describe this thumb position.

2. Your hand is moved away from the thumb side, in a movement called “ulnar deviation”.Bend your elbows and look at your hands, then make “windscreen wiper” movements with your wrists. When your hands come together in the middle, this is ulnar deviation of the wrist.

The tendons are most irritated when these two movements are combined. This looks like the image below:

When does this movement occur?

Classic examples of this type of movement are:

• Mothers of newborns picking up and cradling their child. Think about how you hold your hands out to “scoop up” your child.
• Gaming using joysticks/controllers
• Frequent text messaging/mobile phone use with the thumbs
• Playing golf or the piano
• Fly fishing
• Occupations that involve repetitive gripping or wringing. Examples include baristas and cleaners.

If you fall into the new parent category, you may also like to read about other conditions that are common during this time. Learn about postpartum headaches here, and if your Pelvic Girdle Pain will get better after pregnancy here.

What are some other names that De Quervain’s can be called?

While “De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis” is the official medical term for this condition, it’s definitely a mouthful and not easy to remember. 

Some other, more common names for this condition include:

• “Mum thumb”
• “Texting thumb”
• “Playstation thumb”

All of these involve repetitive movements of the wrist and thumb. 

How do I know if I’ve got De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis?

Your Doctor or Physical Therapist are the best person to diagnose De Quervain’s.

However, you’ll get a good indication yourself if this is what you’ve got by checking the following two criteria:

1. Your pain is at your wrist, under the base of your thumb.

   

2. You have pain with the “Finkelstein’s Test”.

   The Finkelstein’s Test involves folding your thumb over your palm, then closing your fingers over it to form a fist. Then, straighten out your arm in front of you, as if you were holding a fishing rod. Lastly, ulnar deviate your wrist by moving your hand towards the ground (see the image above for clarification of this movement). This test is positive and it’s likely you’ve got De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis if it causes you pain.

What are the treatment options?

Now that we’ve worked out that what you’re suffering actually is De Quervain’s, here are a few ways you can try to help it at home:

• Avoid the “Finkelstein’s” position.

  As a new parent, you’re probably doing this dozens of times a day without realising. The two common times this happens is when you’re picking up your baby, or when you’re holding them to nurse.

  Try to keep your wrists and thumbs in a straight line. Many new parents hold their babies with their heads in the crook of their arm, and the parent’s wrists angled to support the baby’s bottom. It’s still possible to hold your baby in your arms whilst also keeping your wrist straight, you just need to be aware that you’re doing it!

  Be aware of how you are moving, and try to turn your whole body or move from your shoulders instead of from your wrists.

• Use ice over the affected area.

  Ice is a medication-free tool that can help settle the inflamed tendons. Try using ice for 5-10 minutes at a time each nap time to help break this inflammation cycle.

• Wear a brace.

  

  A well-fitting brace can make it almost impossible for you to put your wrists in the positions that aggravate De Quervain’s. They can provide support to inflamed tendons, giving them the time and space they need to heal.

  The best brace for De Quervain’s tenosynovitis will support both your wrist and your thumb, keeping them in a neutral position to encourage them to rest and heal. A spica splint will immobilise your thumb and help keep everything in the best possible alignment. 

  Years of experience in helping patients manage this condition has lead me to realise that this is the best brace available.

• Get tailored advice from a Physical Therapist, Osteopath or Occupational Therapist.

  If you’ve tried managing your condition at home, these professionals may be able to help identify any specific issues that may be contributing to your symptoms. They can give tailored advice and/or hands-on treatment.

• Speak to your Medical Practitioner.

  Some cases of De Quervain’s that are more severe or persistent will require medical intervention. One or two cortisone injections can be useful when other measures have failed to bring your symptoms under control. If your symptoms still do not settle after two cortisone injections, surgery is an option that often provides good results.

What’s the best De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis Brace?

An effective De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis brace has to include support for both your wrist and thumb. This is because it’s possible to irritate the two tendons involved in this condition with movement at either of these joints.

There are many wrist braces around that don’t include a thumb support. While these may be useful in other cases of postpartum wrist pain such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, they won’t be completely effective in helping you manage De Quervain’s.

New mothers need to use and wash their hands. A lot. So you need a brace that offers support whilst still allowing you to function and care for your baby.

After many years of treating this painful condition, I’ve found this to be the best De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis brace. This brace keeps your palm and other 4 fingers free, while offering firm and comforting support of your painful wrist area. This means it’s not only more comfortable, but it can help keep you cool if you live in a warmer climate. It’s also easily washable in cold water, keeping your hands clean and safe.

It has a removable aluminium support post, meaning that you have the option of increased flexibility in the brace as your condition improves.

This brace comes in both a left-handed option and a right-handed option. Because of it’s minimalist design, it’s one of the most functional braces you can wear on both hands at once if necessary.

If you’re looking for a brace with the same freedom of movement in your hand as this, but would like a little more wrist support, try this one. Just like the first brace I’ve listed, this one keeps your palm and other 4 fingers free. The only difference is that it braces more throughout the forearm and wrist. The tradeoff of this, though, is that it is slightly more bulky. This means that it can be a little more uncomfortable or impractical, and can feel a lot warmer on your skin in hotter climates.

FAQ’s:

Is ice or heat better for DeQuervain’s tenosynovitis?

As DeQuervain’s is an inflammatory condition, ice is the best option to help relieve pain and inflammation here. 

Can physical therapy help de Quervain’s tenosynovitis?

Yes. Physical therapy can offer treatments to help reduce pain and inflammation, as well as prescribe specific strengthening exercises to help you recover from this condition. 

Will a wrist brace help DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis?

Yes. A brace will help immobilize the area and prevent you from performing the specific movements that aggravate the involved tendons. 

What should I look for in a wrist brace?

Look for a brace that immobilises both your wrist and thumb, and that can be adjusted to snuggly fit your body. 

As you’ll likely be wearing it fairly constantly for 4-6 weeks, you’ll need one that is both washable and quick-drying. 

How long do you wear a brace for de Quervain’s tenosynovitis?

Many people will have good relief by wearing their brace 24 hours a day for 4 to 6 weeks. However, if your condition began during pregnancy, it is more likely to continue until at least the end of pregnancy, or even until you finish breastfeeding due to other hormonal factors. 

Should I wear the thumb brace to bed?

Yes, if possible, as it keeps your wrist in the best possible position. 

However, in practice, some people find that wearing the brace constantly can increase the ache in their wrist. If this occurs, you can try removing the brace at night or at certain times during the day when you know you will not be using your hand. 

Do cortisone shots work for de Quervain’s tenosynovitis?

Yes, cortisone shots can be effective in people who have tried physical therapy and bracing without relief. 

How long does De Quervain’s tenosynovitis take to heal?

In theory, this condition should heal within 4 to 6 weeks. 

However, in my experience, this condition often takes longer to heal in pregnant or breastfeeding women due to hormonal factors and the demands of caring for an infant. 

Does tenosynovitis require surgery?

In some cases which have been resistant to physical therapy and cortisone injections, surgery is required for symptom resolution. Surgery has a high success rate of around 85%. 

What happens if De Quervain’s goes untreated?

The pain and inflammation may worsen, making it difficult for you to use your wrist and hand.

What to avoid with De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis:

Specifically, you should avoid all activities of movements that reproduce the “Finklestein’s Test” described above. This means that you should keep your wrist in a neutral position, not deviating away from the thumb side of your hand. You should also avoid repetitive thumb movements. 

In practice, this generally means avoiding or minimising all sorts of repetitive hands movements, from activities such as gardening, knitting, crafting, cooking or cleaning. 

Can Texting or scrolling my phone cause De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis?

Yes- due to the position of your wrist and hand during this activity, texting and phone scrolling can definitely bring it on or aggravate it. Try holding your phone in two hands, or minimising phone use as much as possible. 

Does De Quervain’s cause nerve damage?

As De Quervain’s comes from an inflammation of the tendon sheath, the condition itself doesn’t normally cause nerve damage. However, should your condition require surgery, this is a possible complication that your surgeon should discuss with you before going ahead. 

What is the difference between carpal tunnel syndrome and De Quervain’s tenosynovitis?

Carpal tunnel syndrome is another relatively common condition that affects the wrist and hand. However, it arises due to nerve compression, and doesn’t affect the tendons like De Quervain’s does. 

Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome can include pain and swelling of the hands, or other nerve-related symptoms such as tingling or numbness. These are not usually associated with De Quervains. 

What now?

De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is a common condition in new mothers. It’s best managed by avoiding wrist and hand movements that aggravate the area, as well as simple strategies such as the use of ice or a brace. If you’ve worn a brace and been diligent with icing and resting your wrists for a few months without noticeable improvement, speak to a PT/Osteopath/OT, or your Medical Professional for more tailored advice.