De Quervain’s Injection Therapy
Specialist assessment and corticosteroid injection therapy for pain
around the thumb side of the wrist in our Fareham clinic
What Is De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis?
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis affects two tendons that run along the thumb side of the wrist.
These tendons pass through a small tunnel, or tendon sheath, near the base of the thumb. When the tendons and surrounding sheath become irritated or thickened, movement can become painful.
Symptoms are usually felt around the thumb side of the wrist and may be aggravated by gripping, lifting, twisting, using a phone, carrying a child or repetitive hand movements.
Some people also notice swelling, tenderness or discomfort when moving the thumb away from the hand.
Want to Learn More About De Quervain’s?
Read more about the condition, why it develops and how rehabilitation can help.
Learn More About De Quervain’s Syndrome →
When Can an Injection Help?
Corticosteroid injection can be helpful when pain around the thumb and wrist is interfering with everyday hand use, work, hobbies, caring activities or sleep.
It may also be useful when symptoms have remained troublesome despite activity modification, splinting or other appropriate treatment.
Your specialist will assess the location of your pain, thumb and wrist movement and the activities that are aggravating your symptoms before discussing whether an injection is a suitable option for you.
How Does a De Quervain’s Injection Work?
Corticosteroid is an anti-inflammatory medicine.
A small amount of corticosteroid is placed around the affected tendons within the tendon-sheath region on the thumb side of the wrist.
The aim is to reduce irritation around the tendon sheath, making thumb and wrist movement more comfortable.
Improvement may develop gradually over several days or weeks. For some people, reducing pain provides a useful opportunity to return to normal hand use and gradually build activity again.
Learn About Corticosteroid Injections→
Is Corticosteroid the Only Treatment?
Treatment depends on how long the symptoms have been present, how irritable the area is and how significantly the problem is affecting everyday hand use.
A thumb-and-wrist splint can be helpful for some people, particularly during more painful periods. Changes to aggravating activities and advice around lifting, gripping and repetitive hand use may also help.
Corticosteroid injection can be considered when symptoms remain troublesome or continue to limit normal activity.
If symptoms remain significantly limiting despite appropriate treatment, your specialist can also advise whether a hand-surgery opinion would be helpful.
Specialist De Quervain’s Injections in Fareham
Assessment and injection therapy for De Quervain’s tenosynovitis are provided at our Fareham clinic by Mike Gillingham, Upper Limb Specialist Physiotherapist.
Mike will assess whether your symptoms are consistent with De Quervain’s and discuss whether corticosteroid injection, splinting, rehabilitation or onward referral would be the most useful next step.
Frequently Asked Questions About Carpal Tunnel Injections
Where is the pain usually felt?
Where is the injection given?
How long might the benefit last?
How quickly might the injection work?
Do I need a scan before an injection?
Can the injection be repeated?
Not Sure Whether an Injection Is Right for You?
You do not need to know whether corticosteroid is the correct treatment before contacting us.
Tell us about your hand symptoms, how long they have been present and how they are affecting sleep, work or everyday activity. Your enquiry will be reviewed by our upper-limb specialist, who can advise you on the most appropriate next step.
