Why Does My Thumb Hurt When I Grip or Lift?

Why Does My Thumb Hurt When I Grip or Lift?

Pain at the base of the thumb when gripping, lifting, or twisting is often caused by De Quervain's Tenosynovitis, where the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist become irritated and swollen within their narrow tunnel. It's commonly linked to repetitive hand use, affecting new parents, racquet sport players, and people in gripping-heavy jobs or hobbies, and tends to be more common in women aged 30-50. Most cases respond well to physiotherapy, splinting, and activity changes, with injections or surgery reserved for cases that don't improve with conservative care.

When Simple Hand Movements Start to Hurt

If gripping, lifting, or twisting objects has started to cause pain near your thumb or wrist, it could be more than just overuse. One common cause is De Quervain's Tenosynovitis, a condition that affects the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist and can make everyday activities uncomfortable or difficult.

What Is De Quervain's Tenosynovitis?

De Quervain's Tenosynovitis occurs when the tendons that help move your thumb become irritated or inflamed. These tendons pass through a narrow tunnel at the base of the thumb. When they become swollen, movement through this space becomes restricted, leading to pain and stiffness.

What Does De Quervain's Tenosynovitis Feel Like?

Symptoms often develop gradually and may worsen with continued use of the hand. Common signs include:

• Pain and tenderness at the base of the thumb
• Swelling around the thumb side of the wrist
• Difficulty gripping, pinching, or lifting objects
• A catching or "sticking" sensation when moving the thumb
• Discomfort when twisting the wrist

These symptoms can make everyday tasks, like opening jars, carrying bags, or lifting a child, more challenging.

Who Is More Likely to Develop It?

De Quervain's is commonly associated with repetitive hand and wrist use. It is often seen in people who:

• Perform repetitive gripping or lifting tasks
• Use their hands frequently for work or hobbies
• Are new parents lifting babies repeatedly
• Play racquet sports or musical instruments
• Spend long periods using smartphones or devices

It's also more common between the ages of 30-50 and tends to affect women more frequently, partly due to activity patterns and hormonal influences.

What Causes De Quervain's Tenosynovitis?

The condition is usually linked to repetitive strain on the thumb tendons, but other factors can contribute:

• Overuse of gripping or pinching movements
• Sudden increases in activity levels
• Direct wrist injury
• Inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis
• Repetitive daily habits that overload the thumb

What Happens If It's Left Untreated?

Without proper management, symptoms can persist or worsen over time. This may lead to:

• Ongoing pain and stiffness
• Reduced thumb and wrist mobility
• Difficulty with daily activities such as writing, cooking, or lifting

Early treatment is important to prevent long-term irritation and restore normal function.

How Is De Quervain's Tenosynovitis Diagnosed?

A physiotherapist will typically assess your symptoms, movement, and hand function. One common test involves making a fist with your thumb tucked inside the fingers, then gently moving the wrist towards the little finger side. Pain during this movement can indicate De Quervain's Tenosynovitis.

How Can Physiotherapy Help?

Treatment focuses on reducing irritation, improving movement, and restoring strength and function.

Hands-On Treatment

Manual therapy techniques can help reduce tension in the surrounding tissues, improve mobility, and ease discomfort.

Pain Relief Modalities

Depending on your needs, additional treatments may be used to support recovery, such as:

• Ultrasound therapy to encourage tissue healing
• TENS to help reduce pain signals
• Ice therapy to manage swelling and inflammation

Exercise and Rehabilitation

A structured exercise programme is key to recovery. This may include:

• Gentle stretching to improve flexibility
• Strengthening exercises for the thumb and wrist
• Gradual loading to rebuild tolerance

Activity and Ergonomic Advice

Understanding how your daily habits contribute to symptoms is essential. You may be advised on:

• Modifying repetitive tasks
• Adjusting hand and wrist positions
• Using tools or techniques to reduce strain

Small changes can make a significant difference over time.

Splinting Support

A thumb splint may be recommended to reduce movement and allow the tendons to rest. This is often worn during daily activities or at night to support healing.

When Is Further Treatment Needed?

If symptoms do not improve with conservative care, other options may be considered.

• Corticosteroid injections can help reduce inflammation and provide faster symptom relief
• Surgery may be recommended in more persistent or severe cases to release the tendon sheath

These options are typically explored when physiotherapy alone isn't enough.

Final Thoughts: Early Care Makes a Big Difference

De Quervain's Tenosynovitis is a painful but manageable condition when addressed early. With the right combination of treatment, activity modification, and guided rehabilitation, most people can return to normal hand function and reduce the risk of recurrence.

Need Help with Thumb or Wrist Pain?

If you're experiencing pain when gripping, lifting, or using your thumb, getting a proper assessment can help identify the cause and guide your recovery.

At Relive Physiotherapy in Chester, we provide tailored treatment plans to help reduce pain, restore movement, and get you back to everyday activities comfortably.

Reach out today to get started with a personalised recovery plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does De Quervain's Tenosynovitis feel like?

Common symptoms include pain and tenderness at the base of the thumb, swelling on the thumb side of the wrist, difficulty gripping or lifting, and a catching or "sticking" sensation when moving the thumb.

Why do new parents get De Quervain's Tenosynovitis?

It's often linked to the repetitive lifting and gripping motions involved in picking up and holding a baby, which places repeated strain on the thumb tendons. This is sometimes referred to informally as "mummy thumb."

Can De Quervain's Tenosynovitis be treated without surgery?

Yes, in most cases. Physiotherapy, splinting, activity modification, and pain relief techniques are usually effective. Surgery is generally only considered when symptoms persist despite conservative treatment.

How is De Quervain's Tenosynovitis diagnosed?

A physiotherapist will typically assess your symptoms and hand function, often using a specific test that involves tucking the thumb into a fist and moving the wrist towards the little finger, which can reproduce the pain if the condition is present.

What happens if De Quervain's Tenosynovitis is left untreated?

Symptoms can persist or worsen over time, potentially leading to ongoing pain, reduced thumb and wrist mobility, and difficulty with everyday tasks like writing or lifting. Early treatment helps prevent this.

About the Author:

Niya Doiphode

Specialist Physiotherapist

Niya holds a Master's degree in Musculoskeletal Sports Science, and Health, Sport and Exercise from Loughborough University.

As a Specialist Physiotherapist at Relive Physiotherapy, she has a strong interest in running biomechanics and has authored a paper examining the impact of "super shoes" on running performance. She also has a particular passion for pelvic health, bringing a well-rounded, evidence-based approach to her practice.

At the clinic, Niya genuinely enjoys getting to know the people she treats. Outside of work, she loves exploring different cuisines, especially Asian food, along with art and rock climbing.