National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

De Quervain's disease

Not a rare disease Not a rare disease
Other Names:
De Quervains tenosynovitis; De Quervain's syndrome; De Quervain's tendonitis; De Quervains tenosynovitis; De Quervain's syndrome; De Quervain's tendonitis; De Quervain's tendinitis; De Quervain tendinopathy See More
De Quervain's disease is a painful wrist condition that affects the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist (the radial side).[1] Symptoms may include pain or tenderness when moving the thumb, turning the wrist, grasping something, or making a fist.[1][2] Pain may radiate to the thumb or forearm. Some people have swelling on the radial side of the wrist or difficulty holding objects.[3]

The cause of de Quervain's disease is poorly understood.[3] Symptoms result from entrapment (compression) of the tendons in the affected area.[2] Two tendons in the wrist and lower thumb normally glide smoothly through a tunnel connecting them to the thumb. If the area around the tendons becomes irritated, swelling may restrict their movement. The condition is often attributed to occupational or repetitive activities involving extending the thumb.[3] It is most common among women between the ages of 30 and 50, including women who have recently had a baby or others who repetitively lift infants.[3][2] It may also develop in people who have sustained direct trauma to the affected area.[2]

Treatment for de Quervain's disease may first involve splinting of the thumb and wrist, or corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation. If injection therapy fails, surgery can relieve the entrapment.[2]
Last updated: 4/6/2017
De Quervain's disease does not affect the lifespan.[4] If the condition is not treated, there may be progressive pain, difficulty using the hand and wrist properly, and/or limited range of wrist motion.[1][4] Most patients respond very well to nonsurgical treatment.[4] Some people who have been successfully treated with injections may have recurrent symptoms when they return to lifting infants. Relief is usually permanent after successful surgery.[2]

Complications from surgery, or after surgery, are possible. Potential complications may include:[2]
  • Superficial radial nerve injury from sharp injury, traction injury, or adhesions in the scar. This may greatly limit hand and wrist function.
  • Persistent entrapment symptoms. This may happen if parts of one tendon (called slips) are mistaken for other tendons. This may result in continued entrapment. If repeat cortisone injections do not relieve symptoms, surgical re-exploration may allow a previously overlooked tendon to be released.
  • Subluxation (misalignment or dislocation) of released tendons is possible.
Additional reported complications include scar hypertrophy or tenderness (particularly with longitudinal incisions), reflex sympathetic dystrophy, and continued pain as a result of incorrect diagnosis. Associated diagnoses that may have been missed include basilar arthritis of the thumb, instability of the thumb, intersection syndrome, and radial neuritis. Wartenburg's syndrome (ie, superficial radial neuritis) has been shown to negatively affect surgical outcome for de Quervain's disease.[5]
Last updated: 4/6/2017

Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.

Organizations Supporting this Disease

These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.

Where to Start

  • Mayo Clinic has an information page on De Quervain's disease.
  • MedlinePlus was designed by the National Library of Medicine to help you research your health questions, and it provides more information about this topic.
  • The The Cleveland Clinic Web site has an information page on De Quervain's disease. Click on the Cleveland Clinic link to view this page.

In-Depth Information

  • Medscape Reference provides information on this topic. You may need to register to view the medical textbook, but registration is free.
  • The Merck Manual for health care professionals provides information on De Quervain's disease.

Questions sent to GARD may be posted here if the information could be helpful to others. We remove all identifying information when posting a question to protect your privacy. If you do not want your question posted, please let us know. Submit a new question

  • I was diagnosed with De Quervain's disease a few years ago. The doctor tried injections which didn't work so he did surgery. But about 4 maybe 5 years later the symptoms are back. My question is.... can it recur after surgery has been done? See answer


  1. De Quervain's tenosynovitis. Mayo Clinic. June 13, 2015; http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/de-quervains-tenosynovitis/basics/definition/con-20027238.
  2. Meals RA. De Quervain Tenosynovitis. Medscape Reference. July 7, 2016; http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1243387-overview.
  3. Aggarwal R, Ring D. de Quervain tendinopathy. UpToDate. Waltham, MA: UpToDate; June 10, 2015; https://www.uptodate.com/contents/de-quervain-tendinopathy.
  4. Foye PM. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation for De Quervain Tenosynovitis. Medscape Reference. April 27, 2016; http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/327453-overview#a6.
  5. Ilyas AM, Ast M, Schaffer AA, Thoder J. De quervain tenosynovitis of the wrist. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. December, 2007; 15(12):757-764. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18063716.