De Quervain's tenosynovitis causes pain on the thumb side of the wrist, especially when you move your thumb, grip or lift. It is common in new mothers, and is sometimes called "mummy's thumb" or baby wrist; when it starts after a birth, it is often noticed within 4 to 6 weeks. It is not harmful. Resting the thumb, changing how you lift and feed your baby, ice, gentle exercises and a thumb splint often help, and a steroid injection or minor surgery can help if it does not settle. This guide explains the signs, how to care for your baby without making it worse, and when to see a doctor.
Apa itu De Quervain?
On the thumb side of your wrist, two tendons that move your thumb run together through a narrow tunnel. In De Quervain's tenosynovitis, these tendons become irritated and their covering (sheath) thickens, so they no longer glide smoothly. This causes friction and pain when you move your thumb or wrist (AAOS).
It has several names: De Quervain's syndrome or disease, De Quervain's tendinosis, and in new mothers, mother's wrist or baby wrist (HSE). In Malay, many people simply describe it as sakit ibu jari or sakit pergelangan tangan selepas bersalin. The British Society for Surgery of the Hand (BSSH) says it is not harmful, but it can be a really painful nuisance.
Punca: kenapa ibu baru bersalin mudah kena
In many cases there is no obvious cause (BSSH). Known risk factors include (AAOS):
- pregnancy and the months after birth: when it starts after having a baby, symptoms are often noticed within 4 to 6 weeks;
- being a woman: it affects more women than men;
- age: it is most common in people in their 40s and 50s;
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- repeated thumb and wrist movements, such as typing, texting or lifting, which can make it worse.
Why new mothers are prone to it
Mothers of small babies seem particularly prone to De Quervain's, but it is not known whether this is due to hormonal changes after pregnancy or to lifting the baby again and again (BSSH). Ireland's national health service (HSE) lists both hormonal changes in pregnancy and increased pressure on the wrist tendons from lifting and holding your baby as causes. Some women also get thumb and wrist pain during pregnancy (HSE).
- In a US study of more than 357,000 women, those who had given birth had about 5 times the odds of being diagnosed with De Quervain's in the year after delivery, compared with similar women who had not been pregnant. Women with gestational diabetes were also more likely to be diagnosed with it (Smith et al., 2025).
- A small US survey of parents of young children found that the condition was linked with the physical work of caring for a baby, and suggested that breastfeeding hormones were not an important cause (Ferraro et al., 2023).
Whatever the cause, it can make everyday baby care hard. In an Australian study, first-time mothers with De Quervain's described difficulty changing nappies, bathing and dressing their baby, and said they had received little information about it before it started (Khama et al., 2025).
Tanda-tanda De Quervain
The main symptoms are (AAOS; HSE; BSSH):
- pain on the thumb side of the wrist, which can come on slowly or suddenly and may travel up the forearm;
- pain that is worse when you move your thumb, make a fist, grip, pinch or twist your wrist;
- pain when you lift something with your thumbs pointing up, such as lifting your baby, or when you lift your thumb into a "thumbs up";
- swelling and tenderness on the thumb side of the wrist;
- sometimes a catching or snapping feeling when you move your thumb.
Pain and swelling can make it hard to move your thumb and wrist (AAOS). Pinching, grasping, wringing, opening a tight jar or expressing breast milk may hurt (NHS Lothian; HSE; Khama et al., 2025).
Cara doktor mengesahkan De Quervain
A doctor will ask about your symptoms and daily activities, and feel along the thumb side of your wrist for pain and swelling. They may ask you to do the Finkelstein test: you tuck your thumb into your palm, close your fingers over it, and bend your wrist towards your little finger. If this causes pain on the thumb side of the wrist, you may have De Quervain's tenosynovitis (AAOS).
X-rays and ultrasound scans are usually not needed, but your doctor may order them if they are not sure of the diagnosis or need to rule out other conditions (AAOS).
De Quervain, trigger finger atau carpal tunnel?
Several hand problems are more common in pregnancy and after birth. This table shows the main differences:
| De Quervain's | Trigger finger or thumb | Carpal tunnel syndrome | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Irritated tendons on the thumb side of the wrist (AAOS) | Inflamed tendons that bend the fingers or thumb (NHS inform) | Pressure on a nerve in the wrist (NHS) |
| Main symptom | Pain on the thumb side of the wrist when moving the thumb or wrist (AAOS) | A finger or thumb that clicks, catches or locks when you bend it (NHS inform) | Numbness, tingling, pins and needles or pain in the hand and fingers (NHS) |
| Where | Base of the thumb and side of the wrist, sometimes up the forearm (AAOS) | Palm, at the base of the finger or thumb; there may be a small bump (NHS inform) | Fingers and hand; sometimes a weak thumb or difficulty gripping (NHS) |
| Typical timing | Worse with use, such as lifting your baby (AAOS) | Worse with repeated gripping (NHS inform) | Usually worse at night (NHS) |
For more, see our guides to trigger finger (jari terkunci) and tangan kebas (numb hands). If many joints are painful, stiff or swollen, see our guide to sakit sendi (joint pain).
Cara angkat dan susukan bayi tanpa sakit
You cannot stop caring for your baby, but you can change how you do it. HSE suggests these ways to avoid making the pain worse:
- Scoop, do not pinch. Scoop your baby up with your sore hand under their bottom, which may be easier than lifting them under the arms.
- Support your arms when feeding. Use pillows or cushions to support your arms while breastfeeding, so there is less pressure on your hands. A nursing pillow can lift your baby closer.
- Keep your wrist straight to avoid irritating your wrist and thumb.
- Avoid twisting and gripping, such as opening a tight jar lid or gripping objects with your thumb.
Advice that mothers in the Australian study received included getting other people to help with tasks, being mindful of how they lifted and held the baby, and using a feeding pillow (Khama et al., 2025). During berpantang, your family can help with lifting, bathing and carrying the baby so your thumb can rest; see our guide to berpantang.
Cara rawat De Quervain di rumah
The aim of treatment is to reduce the irritation of the tendons and relieve the pain (AAOS). Things you can do yourself include:
- Rest your thumb. Avoid or change the activities that cause pain; this may let the symptoms go away on their own (AAOS; NHS Lothian).
- Wear a thumb splint. A splint that keeps the wrist straight and holds the thumb still may ease the pain, especially at night. It needs to support the thumb as well as the wrist (AAOS; BSSH). A physiotherapist can fit one, and some people wear it continuously until the pain settles (SFH NHS hand therapy). In an Australian study, mothers found splints were not always comfortable or practical while caring for a baby, so ask a physiotherapist about a type that suits you (Khama et al., 2025).
- Use ice. Put a cold pack or a bag of ice wrapped in a cloth on the painful area for about 15 minutes at a time, every 4 to 6 hours. Do not put ice directly on your skin (AAOS).
- Massage. Gently massage the muscle at the base of your thumb (HSE).
- Painkillers. Paracetamol is usually the best painkiller if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Ibuprofen can often be used while breastfeeding, but check with a pharmacist or doctor first, and avoid it in pregnancy unless a doctor or pharmacist advises it. If you use ibuprofen gel, use it on the smallest area you need and try to stop your baby's skin touching it (NHS). Anti-inflammatory tablets or gels may reduce swelling and pain (AAOS), but painkillers on their own often do not help much (NHS Lothian).
Drann does not recommend any cream, oil, supplement or traditional remedy for De Quervain's. If you are unsure about a product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Senaman untuk De Quervain
Gentle exercises can help once the pain has started to settle. HSE suggests these stretches:
- Put your hand flat on a table, palm down. Use your other hand to gently move your thumb upwards and away from the table for 10 to 15 seconds, then bring it down slowly. Repeat 5 times every 2 hours.
- Rest the side of your hand on a table with your little finger at the bottom. Use your other hand to move your thumb away from your fingers, then bring it back down slowly. Repeat 5 to 10 times every 2 hours.
NHS Lothian also suggests sliding your thumb in and out along a table, and, with your forearm supported and the thumb facing up, slowly lowering your wrist downwards (little finger leading) and using your other hand to help it back up. Do each 5 to 10 times, 2 to 3 times a day. You may need to wear a splint for 2 to 3 weeks before starting. If an exercise causes a lasting increase in pain, stop and speak to a physiotherapist (NHS Lothian).
Suntikan steroid dan pembedahan
If the pain does not settle with rest, a splint and exercises, a doctor may suggest:
- A steroid injection into the painful area to reduce swelling and relieve pain (AAOS). BSSH says it relieves the pain in about 70% of cases. The risks are small, but it very occasionally causes thinning or a change in skin colour at the injection site.
- Surgery, if symptoms are severe or do not improve after 6 weeks of non-surgical treatment (AAOS). The surgeon widens the tendon tunnel to give the tendons more room, under local, regional or general anaesthetic. Pain relief is usually rapid. The scar may be sore for several weeks, and there may be some temporary numbness on the back of the hand or thumb; the risk of infection is less than 1 in 100 (BSSH).
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, so they can plan the treatment with you.
Bila perlu jumpa doktor
See a doctor at your klinik kesihatan, a GP or a physiotherapist if:
- the pain does not ease after a couple of weeks of self-care (HSE);
- the pain stops you caring for your baby or doing daily tasks;
- you have numbness or tingling in your fingers, which may suggest carpal tunnel syndrome (NHS);
- a finger or thumb keeps locking or clicking, which may suggest trigger finger (NHS inform).
If you are recovering from birth and also feeling low or anxious, tell your doctor about that too; see our guide to meroyan (postnatal depression).
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Apa itu De Quervain (what is De Quervain's tenosynovitis)?
De Quervain's tenosynovitis is a painful condition of the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist. Two tendons that move the thumb run through a narrow tunnel there; when they become irritated and their covering (sheath) thickens, they no longer glide smoothly, which causes pain when you move your thumb or wrist (AAOS). It is also called De Quervain's syndrome, mother's wrist or baby wrist (HSE). It is not harmful, but it can be very painful (BSSH).
Kenapa ibu baru bersalin selalu kena De Quervain (why is it common in new mothers)?
Mothers of small babies seem particularly prone to it (BSSH). Hormonal changes in pregnancy and extra pressure on the wrist tendons from lifting and holding your baby are both thought to play a part (HSE), but experts are not sure which matters more (BSSH). In a large US study, women who had given birth had about 5 times the odds of being diagnosed with it in the year after delivery, compared with similar women who had not been pregnant (Smith et al., 2025). When it starts after having a baby, it is often noticed within 4 to 6 weeks (AAOS).
Macam mana nak tahu sakit ibu jari ini De Quervain (how do I know if it is De Quervain)?
The main sign is pain on the thumb side of the wrist, which is worse when you move your thumb, grip, pinch, twist your wrist or lift your baby, and may spread up the forearm. There may be swelling and tenderness there, and sometimes a catching or snapping feeling (AAOS; HSE). A doctor or physiotherapist can usually diagnose it by examining your wrist. They may ask you to tuck your thumb into your palm, close your fingers over it and bend your wrist towards your little finger (the Finkelstein test); pain on the thumb side suggests De Quervain's. X-rays and scans are usually not needed (AAOS).
Berapa lama De Quervain baru sembuh (how long does it take to heal)?
Some mild cases get better in a few weeks without treatment, but most cases settle over several months (NHS Lothian; BSSH). Resting your thumb, changing how you lift and hold your baby, and wearing a splint can help it settle sooner. See a doctor or physiotherapist if the pain does not ease after a couple of weeks (HSE).
Boleh makan ubat tahan sakit semasa menyusu (can I take painkillers while breastfeeding)?
Paracetamol is usually the best painkiller if you are breastfeeding, and ibuprofen can often be used if needed, but check with a pharmacist or doctor first (NHS). If you use ibuprofen gel, apply it to the smallest area you need and try to stop your baby's skin touching that area (NHS). If you are pregnant, paracetamol is usually the best painkiller; avoid ibuprofen in pregnancy unless a doctor or pharmacist advises it (NHS). NHS Lothian notes that painkillers often do not help much with De Quervain's, so resting the thumb and using a splint matter more.
Bila perlu suntikan steroid atau pembedahan (when is an injection or surgery needed)?
If resting the thumb and a splint do not help, a doctor may offer a steroid injection into the tendon sheath. It relieves the pain in about 7 out of 10 people, and its risks are small, although it occasionally causes thinning or a change in skin colour at the injection site (BSSH). Surgery to widen the tendon tunnel may be recommended if symptoms are severe or do not improve after about 6 weeks of other treatment (AAOS). Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or pregnant, so they can plan treatment with you.
Apa beza De Quervain, trigger finger dan carpal tunnel (what is the difference)?
De Quervain's causes pain on the thumb side of the wrist when you move your thumb or wrist (AAOS). Trigger finger or trigger thumb makes a finger or thumb click, catch or lock when you bend it, with tenderness in the palm (NHS inform). Carpal tunnel syndrome is pressure on a nerve in the wrist that mainly causes numbness, tingling and pins and needles in the hand and fingers, usually worse at night, and it is also more common in pregnancy (NHS). A doctor can tell them apart by examining your hand.
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment from a doctor or physiotherapist. If you have ongoing pain in your thumb or wrist, see a doctor or physiotherapist.
References
- De Quervain's tenosynovitis — OrthoInfo, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
- De Quervain's syndrome — British Society for Surgery of the Hand (BSSH)
- Thumb and wrist pain after having a baby — HSE (Health Service Executive, Ireland)
- De Quervain's tenosynovitis: information for patients — NHS Lothian
- De Quervain's tenosynovitis: hand therapy — Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Ibuprofen for adults — NHS
- Paracetamol for adults — NHS
- Carpal tunnel syndrome — NHS
- Trigger finger or trigger thumb in adults — NHS inform
- Smith GB, et al. Incidence and risk factors for soft tissue hand and wrist conditions in pregnancy and postpartum. J Hand Surg Glob Online. 2025;7(5):100778
- Khama C, et al. 'I couldn't change his nappy': new mothers' experiences of De Quervain's tendinosis and its impact on occupational performance. Aust Occup Ther J. 2025;72(2):e70014
- Ferraro E, et al. De Quervain's tenosynovitis in primary caregivers. WMJ. 2023;122(2):110-113
