Common Tendon Injuries of the Hand

De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis (thumb tendon pain)

Typical symptoms: Associated with repetitive strain injuries and overuse. Sometimes follows pregnancy when new mums are regularly holding or carrying their babies Any movement of the thumb or wrist will be painful.

A common cause of thumb pain is De Quervain’s tenosynovitis. This affects the tendons around the base of the thumb and wrist. The tendon sheath surrounding the tendon becomes swollen and thickened impinging movement, and moving your thumb will be very painful.

A tendon usually glides easily through the tissue that covers it (called a sheath) because of a lubricating membrane surrounding the joint called the synovium. 

This condition is associated with repetitive strain injuries and overuse. It is often a common work-related injury or often follows pregnancy (when new mums are regularly holding or carrying their babies).

Osteopathy can be useful using gentle massage and mobilisation techniques. Other treatments include:

• Rest
• Ice
• Anti-inflammatories
• Corticosteroid injections
• Splinting
• Key to treatment is identifying any aggravating factors.

Trigger Finger (finger tendon pain)

Typical symptoms: bending the finger or thumb causes a snap or pop in the hand.

Trigger finger is another form of tenosynovitis that is characterised by the inflammation of the fluid filled sheath that surrounds a tendon in the fingers (normally the forefinger).

A tendon usually glides easily through the tissue that covers it (called a sheath) because of a lubricating membrane surrounding the joint called the synovium.

If the tendon cannot slide easily through the sheath, bending the finger or thumb (as in De Quervain’s tenosynovitis) can pull the inflamed tendon through a narrowed tendon sheath, making it snap or pop.

Treatments include rest, icing, anti-inflammatories. Osteopathy can also be useful using gentle massage and mobilisation techniques.

As osteopaths, we can offer advice and recommend an appropriate course of action.