Wrist tendinitis physical therapy in Carmel, Indiana

Thumb-side wrist pain is most often De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, which affects two tendons that move the thumb away from the hand and straighten it. They run together through a narrow tunnel over the bony knob of the radius at the wrist. When that tunnel thickens and the tendons are overloaded, sliding becomes painful.

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, it is seen more often in women and in people in their 40s and 50s, and it is associated with pregnancy and the weeks after birth; new parents often notice symptoms within 4 to 6 weeks of delivery. Lifting a baby repeatedly with the thumbs spread and the wrists bent is a classic trigger, which explains the nickname “mommy thumb”. Repetitive gardening, racket sports, and hours of phone texting can also contribute.

Other tendons around the wrist can be involved too. Intersection syndrome causes pain a few inches up the back of the forearm, often in rowers and weightlifters. Tendon irritation on the little finger side (extensor carpi ulnaris) is common in golfers, tennis players and people who twist the forearm under load; our page on wrist pain on the pinky side covers that area.

A thumb spica splint holds the thumb and wrist still in a comfortable position, which gives the irritated tendons a rest while you keep using the hand. AAOS describes a removable splint that keeps the wrist straight and the thumb still, especially helpful at night, as a standard first step, with corticosteroid injections from a physician as another nonsurgical option.

Changing how you lift is just as important. For parents, scooping the baby with your forearms and palms facing up, rather than lifting under the arms with the thumbs spread, takes much of the load off. Keeping the wrist straight while pouring, carrying grocery bags on the forearm, and using a stylus or voice typing for long messages all help.

As pain settles, therapy shifts toward loading: thumb and wrist isometrics, then light resistance with putty, bands and small dumbbells, then grip and forearm strength. A good plan also checks the elbow and shoulder, since a weak shoulder often makes the hand and wrist do more of the work.

Sessions in a private suite make it easy to rehearse the real task. A therapist can practice lifting a weighted bag or car seat with you, check your grip on a kettlebell handle, or watch a rowing stroke on the cable column, then adjust the technique on the spot. That rehearsal tends to stick better than a printed sheet of exercises, and it means the home program fits the life you actually have.

• Thumb spica splint at night and for flare-up tasks
• Forearm-under lifting technique for babies and toddlers
• Isometric holds, then band and putty work for the thumb
• Wrist and forearm strengthening with light dumbbells
• Gradual return to gripping, rowing, racket or barbell work

Small changes in how you handle the baby make the biggest difference. Lift with your palms up and forearms underneath, support the baby’s head with pillows when feeding so the wrist is not holding a bent position for long periods, and share lifting with a partner where you can.

Ice can help after a busy day. Avoid repeatedly testing the wrist with the Finkelstein position, and avoid stretching through sharp pain. If you are breastfeeding and considering medication or an injection, discuss it with your physician.

If you are also recovering from pregnancy in other ways, the postpartum physical therapy page may be useful. When the wrist is still sore after a couple of weeks, the online assessment questionnaire tells the matching team about it, and they will be in touch to talk through options and timing.