de Quervain’s Syndrome Gold Coast

At Evergreen Hand Therapy, we provide evidence-based de Quervain’s Syndrome (also known as de Quervain’s Tenosynovitis) treatment focused on accurate diagnosis, targeted splinting, and progressive rehabilitation to restore comfortable movement.

Led by Dr Lauren Miller, Accredited Hand Therapist with a research PhD on finger fracture management and over 20 years of clinical expertise, the clinic offers individualised assessment and management for people living across Varsity Lakes, Robina, Burleigh, and the wider Gold Coast. Treatment focuses on reducing pain, restoring thumb motion and strength, and maintaining confident hand function in everyday activity.

de Quervain’s syndrome is an irritation of two tendons that move your thumb as they pass through a small tunnel at the wrist. When these tendons become overloaded or inflamed, or the roof of the tunnel thickens, the tunnel becomes tight. This creates pain at the base of the thumb, swelling along the wrist, pain when gripping, lifting, or wringing, and discomfort when lifting a baby or using your phone.

It is often referred to as “mummy’s wrist” or “mummy’s thumb” because it commonly develops in new parents from repetitive lifting and supporting a baby. It is also common in tradespeople, office workers, and anyone performing repetitive thumb and wrist movements.

Diagnoses: A clinical assessment is usually sufficient. Imaging is not always necessary unless symptoms are unusual or not improving. We assess pain location, tendon irritation, swelling, grip and thumb strength, and how painful certain combined movements are (including Finkelstein’s test).