De Quervain's Syndrome-How to Stop It When It Just Keeps Hurting! 

4 years of thumb pain gone! Within a week most pain disappeared and after a month it had completely gone. I can't say how much I appreciate this video. Absolute game changer. Thank you.

Dequervains Dequervains is something that can really take a toll on someone’s life. Someone suffering from this condition likely thinks about it nonstop until they feel surgery is their only option. Personally I do not feel surgical intervention is appropriate in majority of cases which is why I am posting this. If you feel like you are out of options I suggest you let me try and persuade you against it. The proposed gold standard treatment for Dequervains consists of splinting the wrist and thumb for 6-8 weeks. This helps with the pain but fails to heal the tendon and restore range of motion. Resting the tendon even longer only makes this condition worse by further weakening and degrading the tendon. Splinting the area should only be done immediately after injury to help eliminate pain and further significant damage. If you have been looking for the answer, here it is: If your condition is like mine, there is a significant stenosis of the tendon. This means that the thumb cannot bend because of a bump or “nodule” that gets stuck when you try to bend it. This is simply a small area of the inflamed tendon. The cure for this is to load the tendon, (yes, I said load the tendon). Physically loading the tendon puts stress on the tendon which initiates the healing and strengthening process. How to load the tendon: (I have a video on my channel that explains my favorite exercise) Make a fist and hold it out in front you like you are holding a drink, this is position your wrist should be in when you load it. Grab a light dumbbell or resistance band and hold this position for 60 seconds. You should feel pain and discomfort, this is normal and it is necessary for progress. After the 60 seconds is up, and after the weight is removed the tendon should feel a bit warmer and more free. Repeat this process 5-6 times. Each time allowing the wrist to bend slightly more, allowing the weight to gently pull on but not overly stretch the tendon. This is what we call isometric exercise. Make sure you know how to properly do an isometric hold. It will be slightly uncomfortable, this is normal. Eventually, the tendon bump or “nodule” will start to pop or “catch” when you start to move the thumb. That means you have done it correctly. The tendon is now warmed up and has been stressed effectively. You can use a heavier weight if you feel comfortable doing so. Results: After 1-2 months of doing this I have improved significantly and I can use significantly heavier weight than what I started with. The trick is to not move too fast and damage the tendon again. This process will take months. The body will heal but it needs a stimulus, (the weight) nutrients, (lots of protein/collagen) and rest, 2-3 days rest after exercise and 7-8hrs of sleep at night.

For people that struggle with this. (I was one) it lasted MONTHS, I was starting to lose hope it would ever go away. Wore a brace for months and Not sure if the exercise helped or made it worse. But it eventually subsided. Good luck to all and keep hope.

I just did these exercises one time through and I already have EXTREME RELIEF. It feels so much better, I could cry. Thank you Bob and Brad. You guys really deserve the title "Most Famous" ❤️

I've been with this pain for almost 2 months and these have been the only exercises that have helped to ease the pain, thanks guys!

These exercises are life a saver! I’m a graphic designer and illustrator so my hand is always on pressure. I woke up one day with a sharp pain in my tendon and it’s just keep continue. I went to see a hand specialist and he adviced me to take ibuprofen for 5 days and if it doesn’t get better I’ll have to inject cortisol to my hand. I went to see another doctor and she had me on wrist bandage without any meds, the pain subsided, but it came back when I’m off-bandage. I asked a doctor in my homeland and he got me Arcoxia (etoricoxib), still nothing helped. I have to wear wrist bandage all the time otherwise it will hurt. I don’t want to have a surgery or inject anything to my hand because I really like my perfect artist hand :P Then 3 days ago I tried to open a door and my tendon made a snap sound, it was so painful so I looked this video up. I did this 4 times a day and always a cold pack after. It was miracle, now I’m able to pull my thumb a little bit closer to my little finger after each nap/sleep. It just keeps getting better! Best part: I’m also off bandage now! So everybody please do this excercise if you’re having the same problem. I couldn’t even pick up a pen but now I’m back to drawing with 80% hand motion again. Really grateful for these guys and this video, you are the best! I really thought I could lost my right hand forever 😅 update 8/2022: my hand healed but after covid the pain is back as an effect of long covid i guess, i took arcoxia again and now doing these exercises again. This time it is worse cause the pain doesn't get worse with the exercises but it also doesn't show signs of going away anytime soon. be careful everybody!

I just want to say thank you for doing proper closed captioning. It’s a huge help.

Thank you bob and brad I'm all clear you are the famous therapist on the world I'm so grateful

You guys are the absolute best. Every time a part of my 60 year old body starts hurting, y'all have exactly the exercises I need. Thank you so much!

Finally - a simple, clear approach. Thanks fellas!

I never find anything on the internet that helps me but this actually worked for my wrist pain! Thanks guys!

I want to thank you for your DeQuervain's videos especially. I have been crocheting as a means to make some side money and it ground to a halt one day when my thumb began to hurt. Because of these videos I have been able to get on the road to recovery even though I cant afford to see a physical therapist in person. Thank you, thank you, thank you! You're making a difference for me!

It took several weeks but my pain has finally dissipated! I still do these exercises/stretches every few days as a preventative measure. Using my phone less has definitely helped too. Thanks!

I have been suffered with thumb pain for 4 weeks. Your exercises worked well and the pain is being reduced to a great extent. Thank you very much for your youtube postings.

I'm a piano teacher -- super grateful to have found this! Thank you!

Yes , very professional therapist 👍❤! I'm starting to work on my thumb today . Thanks gentlemen, you're great guys ! ( Thanks O Loan for sharing the this awesome video)

Glad I found you gentlemen! Feels better already after a session of stretching

I am crying… I have been in so much pain until I did these exercises and the relief… thank you for this 🙏

Nicu nurse here, been suffering from this a week now. Doing these exercises relieved the pain. Thank you so much!!!

I was suffering from DeQuervain's tendonitis for several months until I found this video. Really helpful and after couple of months of continuing doing the exercises I was cured. I'll never want to have this tendinitis again, thanks doctors

Wanted to chime in. Had this for about a month or so. Tried this and less then a week I’m lifting again and feeling great! Couldn’t even do any dumbbells. Now I can. Thank you guys so much

Thank you, so happy to have found this video! My doc has told me I have Dequervains but didn’t say what to do for it. Gave me lidocaine to rub on it. The base of my thumb is constantly so swollen I cannot even see the tendons. Ugh. I tried these exercises this morning. I have my ice pack on. I know it’s going to help me going forward. Thank you so much, I’m crying, not from sadness but, because I can finally see relief coming. You guys help me so much with my chronic pain issues!

holy poop! after months of looking you guys saved my life.. im a saute chef and damage my wrist one day, did thses steps and the major sharp pain was gone in min.. im contunie these so healingbis better

Finally some info for me. This pain is new to me maybe only a few months but these stretches are really helping and it’s only been 1 day!

I’m in nail tech school and use my hands constantly and got this condition and these exercises have helped me so much!

After 9 months of severe Quevain in both hands, it’s finally gone. I can do Finkelstein test without pain for the first time since this nightmare started. This guys really nailed it. Specially the exercises after 4:00. Of course you need to stop texting or doing strength training with your hands while recovering. Using vertical mouse and a brace for a while helps in recovery phase.

DOCTOR'S!!!!!! THANK YOU! I am a new mother to my son, the pain in my left wrist was getting SO BAD I couldn't hold him. I was simply told I have what's known as "mothers wrist" by a doctor and brushed off, its been 7 months and getting worse each day. I did these exercises once and i feel slightly relief ALREADY!!!!!!!! I'm so thankful

Guys, Love this video. Thanks for the great tips. I've had this for some time. I'm looking forward to doing your exercises!

Been suffering because of this for almost 2months, then saw this video, YOU BOTH ARE MY REAL LIFE SAVER! 😭

I’ve been doing this for a little over two weeks now and it’s definitely helping! It hurt a lot at first and I was worried that I was aggravating it but I had a huge drop in pain a couple days ago. It just keeps getting better every day! I’ve had this for 8 months and I’m so thankful I found this video, honestly a lifesaver. I’ll update once the pain is gone completely!

felt good from the first time. thank you guys.

Greetings! Just wanted to let you know how GRATEFUL I am to have found your videos! I have been dealing with De Quervain's for months. I started doing the exercises in this video, slowly at first, then several times a day, along with a couple other exercises from a PT from Australia, but after about two and a half months, I am able to be almost pain free, and can do a lot of things I couldn't do before this annoying syndrome hit! You are correct, in that you have to do the work, and be consistent. But it was definitely worth it! Won't have to have surgery at this point. And! I continue to do these exercises just to keep the problem at bay. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

All these months I have been in horrible pain, no relief! I have worked your program for a week! Well I am almost 100% with very little pain! Thank You for your help! FYI, I will be doing this for about a month, just to build it all back up! Awesome!

These are great stretches, and holding pressure on the snuffbox worked!!! Thanks guys! By the way, my first 3 sessions of rock climbing were too long, I should have only gone for 30 minutes each, so now can't shake the De Quervain's. SO I'm taking your advice and putting in the work to stretch and re-shape that area. THANKS and God Bless You!

Words are insufficient to express my gratitude to you guys, not only this video the spinal decompression video also are so useful, many thanks for sharing such videos

Bob and Brad,thank you for those excellent exercises

Thank you! Pain started while working in a semi detail shop, constantly using a vacuum and shampoo extractor. I play and teach fiddle and guitar, so both hands hurt to the point of interfering with my life. The brace helps but your techniques seem to be helping!

04/06/2024 The exercises described in your De Quervain's Syndrome video have proven highly effective in significantly reducing the pain in my thumb and wrist caused by the condition. I am grateful to be able to use my hand again because of you. Thank you for sharing your knowledge so openly. -Nancy

Thank you so very much from Bangkok, Thailand!

Appreciate this alot, had this pain out of nowhere and these exercises are just what i was looking for!

Holy cow. So glad to have found you guys! I woke up about 3 weeks ago and had these same symptoms. Knew i hadnt injured myself and could not figure out what was going on. A quick google search and immediately knew I had this. So glad to have found these exercises. Hope they work. The discomfort is pretty intense when moved incorrectly.

I’ve been crocheting for nearly a year and I’ve had this pain for that long, and I just did these exercises and it is so helpful for pain relief! Felt like a massage. I will continue to do these exercises and hope this works to get rid of the pain!

This video is the only one that worked for me. I did exactly what is shown in the video, and I felt relief in just a week and a year later, I am completely relieved of my pain. Thank you docs

Glad you put this up here guys. Here I am four years later benefiting from this? I am a guitarist and am not able to play for more than ten minutes without pain. I was starting to feel depressed as my Dr gave me a wrist brace that totally prevented by playing. Thanks again guys.

Wow. This really hurt at first, but started to ease up finally. Thank you so much for helping me with my New Mommy Thumb.

I'm an auto mechanic and have had severe pain in my right thumb for the last couple months, and light pain for the last couple years when excessive strain was applied to it. I just gave these exercises a try and it already feels better. With any luck I'll be able to avoid taking time off for repetitive motion injury!

Thanks you guys! I’m starting this now!! I’m a laborer, and a drummer, so I’ve been beating my hands up for awhile. Thank you!

relieved the pain on my wrist thank you so much!! will try this for a few weeks

You guys came through! I came to RU-vid specifically to look for this video from you, my trusted PTs. Going to try these because the pain is ridiculous. 😭

Thank you both of you. those are very good exercises. wonderful explanation.

thank you doctors! really glad to see this video of yours, I have been feeling pained for a year now, will try this therapy!

Followed these directions for six months. Massively reduced the pain and discomfort from my tendinitis. Thanks, chaps.

I was skeptical at first but only after 5 days I’ve had a huge pain relief. I’ve also gained a lot of my thumb movement back!

I've been struggling with this for almost 3 months. So far, the exercises in this video have been more helpful than what my PT had prescribed. Thank you!

You guys are saints, thank you for this

Been doing this for bout 4days n has helped relieve some pain which I've suffered for bout 10 or more yrs my one handsome very tight but is slowly improving will keep u updated many thx to u both dec 2023 ❤

Thank you! I've had significant improvement with these techniques. I've still got some recovery to go, but I'm finally rid of the painful popping sensation. It's only been a 1.5 weeks!

Excellent video. The pain is gone. I could play golf again.Thank you

3 years of thumb pain, finally disappearing! Thank you so much!

Just what i needed right now. Just got back from urgent care due to severe pain in my right thumb. Got diagnosed with de quervian. Than you

Wow! The first exercise literally eased the pain instantly! Thank you!

Thanks! My “mothers wrist” was killing me this morning, and with just a bit of these stretches, it is feeling much improved! Between lifting the baby and playing too much piano, I’ve really done my wrist in.

You guys are life saving! Thank you so much for your tips. I have broken my elbow 2 months ago and I am currently going to PT once a week. I have been complainting about wrist & thumb pain but she never suggested exercises for the wrist & thumb pain. I definite going to add theses exercises tips along with my others exercises sessions! Thanks againa

Thank you so much! I noticed a difference the first time I tried these. I will be very happy if this goes away.

Thank you two so much!

My thumb feels better than it has in weeks in just one time doing these exercises!!! Thank you!!!

Thanks, gentlemen! Such a helpful video. You saved me a trip to the clinic. And, of course some cash which I can not spare right now.

Thanks for this video it really help my postpartum thumb pain.

Thank you for a solution! I'm excited about all the progress in the comments and will be trying these excercises over the next weeks. Both wrists got damaged at the same time with work and being a pianist. I can't play piano effectively anymore without pain, so I'm AMPED to have something I can do about it to make it better!

Lifesavers! I've been suffering for the better part of 2 years now and these exercises have been a true gift..probably need surgery for sure but for now I'll be doing these

Thank you for this! It lessened the pain for me! 😊

You guys are THE BEST . Thank you !

Played football, ruptured discs in my back and neck, I’ve had terrible injuries to joints, multiple surgeries, so I know from pain. I say all that so you’ll appreciate it when I say how insane it is how much this condition can hurt. I mean damn. Developed out of nowhere, and when I accidentally engage it, it is nuts how painful it can be. Can’t pick my kids up at all. Going to give this regiment all I have, told I need surgery, don’t want it. Appreciate you guys!

Really helped me, thanks for the better understanding

Thank you, atleast I know there are exercises I can do.

oh thank you for these exercises. I can tell they are working after just doing them a few times

I’m a doctor my self. And I was looking for a safe physio online. I found this video and exercise very helpful. Thank you guys. Keep it up!

This massage therapist thanks you!❤️

THANK YOU GUYS SOOO MUCH! FINALLY GETTING BETTER THANKS TO YOU GUYS! I CAN MOVE MY THUMB!

I'm stuck with this f***** syndrome for almost 2 years now, and even after several meetings with a doctor nothing helped until I tried to search for some things online and found this video. After almost a week I could make a normal fist again, thank you very much!!!!

Thanks so much will continue,just felt a bit of relive now I have been feeling the excruciating pain since my son turned 3months we are almost 5now and it’s still there thanks for this tips.

Thanks a lot! I had this problem and doctors only gave me NSAIDs or steroid injection which helped only temporarily for few months and the syndrome returned. After a year in this circle I tried your exercises and after 3-4 weeks I've been cured and it never returned again

A month and a half ago I woke up with a terrible pain in my right wrist. Went to my GP--De Quervain's Tenosynovitis from picking up my grandchildren (after all vaccinations and local restrictions lifted). Solution: Splint, Ibuprofen, and ice. I could see the physical therapist, but to do that, I would have to see the hand specialist first. Unable to get an appointment, I continued with the splint, ibuprofen and ice, with mostly bad days, until I see my GP at the end of the month. One session of your exercises and the pain is almost gone. Thumb almost reaches pinky now. Thank you so much!! I will continue with the exercises even after I see my GP. Again, thank you!!!

Exact place I have the worst pain! My joint is so inflamed, arthritic and lots of scar tissue from ganglion removal surgeries! Not to mention the bowling, softball, drafting, cutting mats, knitting and metal work! This spikes so badly and just keeps getting worse. I will work on these and I am sure they will help! Thanks for the great videos! Still great, even after being up for several years.

Thanks for the video. My thumb feels better after one small stretching session. Happy to know that I can go back to being pain free with these exercises.

I was in a car accident approx 5 months ago. took a mont off work and went back to landscaping which aggressively aggravated this injury. They think it was from gripping the steering wheel tightly when I crashed. I was just at emerge yesterday as the pain has not gone away and it became more inflamed. the surgeon did flexed my wrist downwards and I felt/heard 4 pops. It was painful but the pain subsided. Its still very much in pain and I now have it in a thumb splint which instantly relieved some pain. This is a great video to show how to stretch the tendons in the thumb. I have showed my physio and he agrees that this is a great way to stretch / remodel. For anyone unsure about how far to go with the stretch, go until there is pain or resistance. It is VERY easy to over do and cause more damage. As they say in the video there will be pain, however you dont want there to be an increase of pain. I have been getting dry needling done in the forearm which helps relief the stiffness up the upper pulleys from the elbow down to the thumb (tendons). Great video! *****

Research what this pain in my wrist/thumb is. Then look for a video from my favorite PT guys. Thank you so much!

I have this condition and cannot believe how much it hurts! I will try these. Thanks guys!!

as a classical guitarist and avid crafter my de Quervains tendonitis has been plaguing me for years . Ten years ago I had the tendond in my wrists released which gave me relief for some time .. but now the pain is back. Will give these exercises a try - fingers crossed they help !

Thanks, this seems to be helping! I didn't want to do the injection again, even though it stops the pain eventually, but is really bad for you. So the natural exercises work!

Thanks guys. Very helpful.

Brilliant advice gentlemen. Thank you so much. Looking forward to doing these excercises to ease my condition. Nice to see two professional men wearing ties nowadays aswell. It doesn't take much more effort to look a bit smarter and it makes all the difference. Best wishes from Ireland.

Thank you so much for this! I am a huge believer in physical therapy. My injury came on very suddenly, after knitting for about two hours using large needles and hyper-extending my right thumb. I immediately iced it, and wore a brace to bed, and this morning I found your exercises. I can feel an improvement already, although I don’t expect this to go away as quickly as it came on.

thank you for your caring....never had pain like dQT before, ouch.....

Thank you guys, you were really helpful, is much better already after doing it sometimes... You ROCK 💪🏼👍🏼🙏🏻😘😘🌻🌻

Thanks so much for this!

Thank you. I am definitley trying this

Thank you thank you thank you !

I prayed and this video was God’s answer. Lots of Pickleball did it to me on my rt hand. I started the exercises today already feel a difference! Thank you Guys!

Thank you so much sir! Its help me alot 😭😭😭🙏🏼🙏🏼 God bless for both of you sir! ❤