What is De quervains disease?
De Quervain’s (say “duh-kair-VAZ”) disease is a problem that makes the bottom of your thumb and the side of your wrist hurt. When you have de Quervain’s disease, the ropey fiber (tendon) that helps move your thumb away from your fingers becomes swollen. See a picture of de Quervain’s disease . What causes de Quervain’s disease? People can get de Quervain’s disease when they hurt or use the thumb or wrist too much. Common activities that need your wrist and thumb can cause the problem. Some activities that might cause de Quervain’s disease are: • Wringing out wet clothes. • Hammering. • Skiing. • Knitting. • Lifting heavy objects such as a jug of milk, taking a frying pan off of the stove, or lifting a baby out of a crib. If you are pregnant or if you have diabetes or rheumatoid arthritis, you are more likely to get de Quervain’s disease. More women than men have de Quervain’s disease. You can get the disease at any age. Most people who have de Quervain’s disease are women between the a
