De Quervain's tenosynovitis
De Quervain's tenosynovitis is a painful swelling of the tendon sheath on the thumb side of the wrist. It is often eased with rest, a splint and an injection, with a small operation for stubborn cases. Read more about de Quervain's tenosynovitis →
If symptoms are sudden, severe or getting worse, contact your GP or NHS 111.
Where are you up to?
The NHS reports waiting times by specialty, not by individual condition, so this is the orthopaedics wait (not specific to de Quervain's tenosynovitis), updated August 2026. Enter a postcode to see the hospitals near you.
orthopaedics waiting times by hospital
| Trust | Location | Typical wait |
|---|---|---|
| Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust | Reading | 5 weeks |
| Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust | Bath and North East Somerset | 12 weeks |
| Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | Liverpool | 13 weeks |
| George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust | Nuneaton and Bedworth | 13 weeks |
| South Warwickshire University NHS Foundation Trust | Warwick | 14 weeks |
| University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust | Birmingham | 15 weeks |
| South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | Middlesbrough | 15 weeks |
| University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust | Camden | 16 weeks |
About de Quervain's tenosynovitis
De Quervain's tenosynovitis is irritation and swelling of the sheath around the two tendons that run along the thumb side of the wrist. It causes pain and tenderness there, often worse when you grip, pinch or turn the wrist, and the area can feel swollen.
How it is treated
The first steps are resting the thumb and wrist from the movements that trigger it, anti-inflammatory medicines, and a splint that supports the thumb and wrist for a few weeks. If that isn't enough, a steroid injection often settles it. For stubborn cases, a small day-case operation opens the tight sheath so the tendons can move freely.
After treatment
Rest, a splint and anti-inflammatories settle many cases over a few weeks. A steroid injection works well for a lot of people, and where an operation is needed the grip and movement usually recover over the following weeks.
Sources: NHS (University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust): De Quervain's tenosynovitis. Last updated October 2026.
General information only, not medical advice. Wait or Pay is independent and is not the NHS. Your GP decides what care, if any, you need.