Gamer's Thumb

Your doctor says it’s De Quervain’s tenosynovitis: a long name for excruciating thumb pain. It’s also called texting or gamer’s thumb, thanks to common sources of the problem.

De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is inflammation of the tendons in the thumb side that run along the wrist. Once swollen, the irritation is intensified as they rub against the sheath that holds them. It affects women eight to 10 times more often than men. Many treatments are available, from ice to surgery, depending on the severity of inflammation.

Treatments for Gamer's Thumb

If you have gamer's thumb, also known as De Quervain's tenosynovitis, we can help. From physical therapy and orthopedic devices to help ease pain and improve function, you don't have to suffer needlessly. Even if surgery is recommended, Spectrum Health has hand surgeons that are members of the prestigious American Society for Surgery of the Hand.

They are statewide experts in the latest minimally invasive techniques and technology to relieve your pain. Most surgeries are done on an outpatient basis, so your hand begins recovering within a day.

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