Hand and Wrist Tendonitis: Symptoms, Treatment and Exercises

01What

What is tendonitis in the hand and wrist?

Tendons connect muscle to bone and glide through sheaths in the hand and wrist. Repetitive strain, overuse or a sudden increase in activity can irritate the tendon or its sheath (tenosynovitis) and cause pain. In long-standing cases the problem is more a degenerative change (tendinopathy) than classic inflammation, which is why exercise and load management are important. See tendinitis de muñeca (Spanish).

02Types

Common conditions

• De Quervain’s tenosynovitis: pain at the thumb side of the wrist, worse with gripping, lifting a baby or phone use; positive Finkelstein test.
• Trigger finger: a finger or thumb catches or locks in a bent position, often with a tender nodule at the base of the finger in the palm.
• Extensor tendinopathy (back of the wrist): pain on wrist extension, typing and racquet sports.
• Flexor carpi radialis or ulnaris tendinopathy: pain on the front of the wrist, gripping and golf.
• Intersection syndrome: swelling and crepitus a few centimetres above the wrist on the thumb side, in rowers and weightlifters.

03Symptoms

Symptoms

• Aching or sharp pain over the affected tendon, worse with specific movements.
• Swelling, warmth or a lump along the tendon.
• Stiffness, especially in the morning.
• Clicking, snapping or catching of the tendon.
• Weakness of grip, difficulty with fine tasks.
• Numbness or tingling suggests a nerve cause. Consult a doctor.

04Causes

Causes and risk factors

• Repetitive movements: typing, mouse use, texting, assembly work, hairdressing, musicians.
• Sudden increases in grip or lifting, new sports or hobbies.
• Pregnancy and caring for babies (de Quervain’s).
• Women aged 30–50 are more likely to develop de Quervain’s and trigger finger.
• Diabetes, thyroid disease and inflammatory arthritis (trigger finger).
• Poor ergonomics and previous injury.

05Self-care

Self-care and activity changes

• Reduce or modify the activity that provokes pain; take regular breaks and vary tasks.
• Use ergonomic aids: a vertical mouse, wrist-neutral keyboard, padded grips and voice dictation.
• Use ice or heat for comfort and paracetamol or topical anti-inflammatory gels for pain.
• Use a thumb spica splint for de Quervain’s or a finger splint for trigger finger at night or during provocative tasks for a few weeks.
• Do not immobilise for long: stiffness and weakness develop.
• Hold a phone with the whole hand and avoid pinching and sustained gripping.

06Exercises

Exercises

• Gentle tendon gliding exercises for the fingers: from a straight hand to a hook, full fist and straight fist positions, 10 repetitions.
• Wrist range of motion: flexion, extension and side-to-side movements, 10–15 repetitions.
• Isometric holds of the wrist or thumb against resistance, 5 × 30 seconds, for pain relief.
• Progressive strengthening with a light dumbbell, resistance band or putty, 3 × 10–15, 3 times a week, increasing as pain allows.
• Grip strengthening with a soft ball when comfortable.
• Gentle stretching to mild tension only. See forearm exercises (Spanish).

07Medical

Medical treatment

Physical or occupational therapy can provide splints, ergonomic advice and exercises. Corticosteroid injections are effective for de Quervain’s tenosynovitis and trigger finger, often giving durable relief with one or two injections, though risks include temporary pain, skin changes and rarely tendon weakening. Surgery to release the tight tendon sheath is considered if conservative treatments fail after several months. For tendinopathy, ultrasound and shockwave therapy have been used with variable evidence.

08Recovery

Recovery time

Mild tendonitis usually improves within 2–6 weeks with activity modification, and de Quervain’s can take 6–12 weeks or longer. Tendinopathy may require 3–6 months of progressive loading. Trigger finger often improves with splinting and injection; severe cases require surgical release. Recurrence is more likely if you return to the aggravating activity without changes.

10Cases

Three common situations

A new parent with thumb-side wrist pain when lifting the baby: likely de Quervain’s; use a thumb splint, modify lifting and start gentle exercises.

An office worker with wrist pain after long mouse sessions: adjust workstation, take breaks and strengthen forearm muscles.

A person whose ring finger catches in the morning: trigger finger; try a splint and ask about injection if it persists.

11Summary

Key points to remember

Hand and wrist tendonitis is common and treatable. Reduce repetitive load, use short-term splints, perform progressive exercises and see a clinician if pain persists. Our physical therapy team can assess and treat these problems.

This guide is for general information and does not replace an assessment by your own doctor or physical therapist.