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De Quervain's syndrome
De Quervain's syndrome is an inflammation of the sheath of the tendons that move the thumb, on the thumb side of the wrist. It hurts when gripping, lifting a child, turning a key. It is common in mothers of small children and with repeated thumb movements.
What concerns does it address?
How is it done?
When rest, a splint and an injection do not help, the sheath is cut through a small incision on the wrist and the tendons are given more room.
When is the procedure not suitable?
Treatment without surgery is tried first — a splint for the thumb and a corticosteroid injection help most people, especially in breastfeeding and new mothers, in whom the syndrome is common because of lifting the child and in whom the symptoms often settle by themselves. Surgery is done when the pain returns after the injection or does not ease with the splint. It is not operated on during inflammation of the skin on the wrist.
General reasons for postponing a procedure (pregnancy, breastfeeding, inflammation, a clotting disorder, smoking): When is a procedure postponed?
Anaesthesia
Before a procedure under general or regional anaesthesia, you are seen by the anaesthetist, who works full time at the clinic; the same doctor is also present during the procedure. The anaesthetic assessment and the anaesthesia for larger operations are included in the price of the procedure. What happens before, during and after anaesthesia is described on the Anaesthesia page.
Risks
Occasional — temporarily reduced sensation of the skin of the thumb, tenderness of the scar.
Expected, and rare but serious → Risks and complications: what is the course of healing, and what is a complication?
Specialist and team
Specialty: general surgery.
When the procedure is done under sedation or general anaesthesia, the anaesthesia is led by a specialist in anaesthesiology, resuscitation and intensive care who works full time at the clinic.
In the operating theatre, the surgeon is assisted by head nurse Martina Šereg, with the help of nurses Kristina Jurešić and Mateja Tomorad, and in recovery the care assistant Mirjana Kovačić is with you. Martina also looks after preparation, scheduling and contact after the procedure.
Who will operate is decided at the examination, based on the findings and the type of procedure. You know the name of the surgeon before the procedure and meet them at the examination.
What happens at the examination?
The first examination lasts 30 to 45 minutes on average. The surgeon examines the area you are concerned about, asks about illnesses, medicines, allergies and previous operations, and talks with you about what you expect. If the procedure is appropriate and likely to help, you receive a plan: which procedure is proposed, under which anaesthesia, what recovery looks like and what is included in the price. If the procedure is not needed or would not give you what you expect, you will hear that at the examination too.
What if the result is not as agreed?
The result of a procedure is assessed at a follow-up visit, once the swelling has gone down and the scar has matured, not in the first weeks. If it differs from what was agreed at the examination, the same surgeon carries out the correction.
→ Poliklinika Barbel's correction policy
Frequently asked questions
When can I lift my child? When the wound has healed and the pain has eased — the doctor will tell you when.
Does it come back? After the sheath is cut, rarely.
How is the diagnosis made? By examination — bending the wrist with the thumb tucked into the palm brings on the typical pain. An X-ray or ultrasound is done when arthritis or a ganglion needs to be ruled out.
Does an injection help? For most people yes; for some permanently, for some for a few months. It is usually not repeated more than twice.
How much does the result depend on care after the procedure? The larger the procedure, the more it depends on it, but it always does. Healing takes weeks and months and happens almost entirely at home, so the instructions you receive when you go home, about the wound, physical activity and the scar, are part of the procedure, not a recommendation.
Medical review: doctors of Poliklinika Barbel · October 2026.