Patients with de Quervain syndrome have painful tendons on the thumb side of the wrist. Tendons are the ropes that the muscle uses to pull the bone. You can see them on the back of your hand when you straighten your fingers. In de Quervain syndrome, the tunnel (the first extensor compartment) where the tendons run narrows due to the thickening of the soft tissues that make up the tunnel. Hand and thumb motion cause pain, especially with forceful grasping .

Treatment

Treatments that can relieve symptoms include:

• A splint that stops you from moving your thumb and wrist.
• Surgery to open the tunnel and make more room for the tendons.