Hellobee Boards

@lindseykaye: I saw you posted something similar?

I had DeQuervains too and it stinks! I had a custom one made through physical therapy but the main thing they told me was that the thumb needs to be immobilized at a neutral position. The original splint I bought at Walgreens didn't immobilize the thumb so my therapist didn't think it would be effective.

@lemong: That is the same one that I have (well, I have two now because I nearly wore the velcro out on my first one).
It is amazing.

The thumb immobilization is key, and simply wearing the brace helps you be aware of your hand/wrist/thumb usage and forces you to be more conservative.

I let my pain get out of control before getting a brace, but am now able to be mostly pain free! You are doing the right thing by getting a brace quickly and taking care of it. I had no idea mine would escalate the way it did.

@softcream: I'm quite familiar with de Quervain and before recommending a brace I would like to convey some options, ideas, opinions, etc. My story is posted on many med sites, blogs, forums, etc. and went through a long process to get back to normal activity after severe dQ in both wrists. I tried everything except surgery and have had phenomenal success with a regime of stretch & hold techniques from the thumb, wrist, arm, shoulder up to the neck plus keeping the physiology active. In my case, complete thumb & wrist immobilization only abated the pain, aching, sharp pain, etc. when wearing the brace. I also only experienced temporary/limited relief from many of the treatments and ideas you'll hear about for this condition. I would recommend doing your research before your condition gets worse and you might be forced to consider more extreme treatments such as Cortisone shots, PT or surgery, which may do more damage and may not provide complete resolution. For background visit this MedHelp.org post and follow down to "neckandshoulders":

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Orthopedics/De-Quervains-Surgery/show/1484694#post_8286484

If you're still looking for a brace I would recommend this one from Exos, it heat-forms to your anatomy, can be worn in water and has good thumb immobilization:

http://www.exosmedical.com/products/thumb_spica_fracture_brace.html

I especially mention this company because I spoke with their sports physiologist and my "aha" moment came when he made me realize dQ can be treated when you focus on more than just the thumb and wrist area and staying active.

I've never come across any conclusive reasons for what causes dQ or "mommy's thumb," it may be a form of tendonitis, but it certainly has a multitude of debilitating symptoms and I've read many cases where patients don't know where to turn and ortho docs may only recommend shots or surgery.

Good luck and please let me know if you have questions. I'll keep checking back.