Symptoms

Symptoms of de Quervain's tenosynovitis include:

• Pain near the base of your thumb
• Swelling near the base of your thumb
• Difficulty moving your thumb and wrist when you're doing something that involves grasping or pinching
• A "sticking" or "stop-and-go" sensation in your thumb when moving it

If the condition goes too long without treatment, the pain may spread further into your thumb, back into your forearm or both. Pinching, grasping and other movements of your thumb and wrist aggravate the pain.

When to see a doctor

Consult your doctor if you're still having problems with pain or function and you've already tried:

• Not using your affected thumb
• Applying cold to the affected area
• Using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen (Aleve)