De Quervain’s disease, or De Quervain’s tendonitis, is another common problem that can result in hand pain. This is a condition that causes irritation to the tendons that run through the tunnel on the thumb side of the wrist. While the exact cause of this condition is not known, risk factors include overuse, injury, and pregnancy. The pain of De Quervain’s disease can affect the thumb, the thumb side of the wrist, and travel all the way up into the forearm.

While the condition is not harmful, it can result in considerable pain and diminish the person’s ability to perform certain tasks. Common issues with De Quervain’s disease include

• Difficulty making a fist,
• Trouble with grasping and holding objects,
• Tenderness of the wrist,
• A clicking or snapping sound from the tendons,
• Limited ability to turn the wrist.

Most cases of De Quervain’s disease are mild and will get better after just a few weeks of rest. A doctor may also prescribe the individual to wear a special splint to limit the mobility of the thumb or wrist. In cases that are more severe, the doctor may recommend a cortisone injection. Surgery might be an option for cases that persist even after trying less invasive treatment options. The corrective surgery reduces the compression on the tendon by widening the canal through which it passes.