Your thumb pain when bending your wrist is likely due to De Quervain tenosynovitis, a condition affecting the tendons on the thumb side of your wrist.
Understanding De Quervain Tenosynovitis
De Quervain tenosynovitis is a common cause of wrist and thumb pain. It involves the tendons that move your thumb, specifically those running along the thumb side of the wrist. Inflammation of these tendons and their surrounding sheath causes pain and discomfort.
Symptoms of De Quervain Tenosynovitis
- Pain: You'll typically feel pain at the base of your thumb and along the thumb side of your wrist.
- Aggravation: Pain is often worse when you:
- Turn your wrist
- Grasp objects
- Make a fist
How De Quervain Tenosynovitis Causes Pain
The inflammation and swelling of the tendons in De Quervain tenosynovitis make it painful to move your thumb and wrist, particularly when bending your wrist. The condition makes it hard for the tendons to glide smoothly. This creates friction, causing pain during wrist movement.
Why it Hurts When You Bend Your Wrist
When you bend your wrist, the tendons on the thumb side of your wrist have to move. In De Quervain tenosynovitis, these tendons are inflamed, and the area around them is swollen. This makes movement difficult and painful when you bend your wrist because the tendons are forced to move within an inflamed and constricted space, causing the pain.
Other Possible Causes
While De Quervain tenosynovitis is a likely cause of thumb pain when bending the wrist, other conditions can also cause similar symptoms:
- Arthritis
- Wrist injuries or sprains
- Tendonitis affecting other wrist tendons
When to See a Doctor
If you experience persistent thumb pain when bending your wrist or if you suspect De Quervain tenosynovitis, consider seeking professional help.
- A doctor can properly diagnose the condition.
- They can also provide treatment options.
Summary of Causes
| Cause | Description |
|---|---|
| De Quervain Tenosynovitis | Inflammation of tendons on the thumb side of the wrist. |
| Arthritis | Inflammation of the joints in the wrist. |
| Wrist Injuries/Sprains | Damage to the ligaments or soft tissues in the wrist. |
| Other Forms of Tendonitis | Inflammation in other tendons of the wrist. |
