Learn about de Quervain ’ s tenosynovitis , a painful condition that affects your thumb tendons and wrist. Find out the causes, diagnosis, treatment options and prevention tips from Cleveland Clinic experts. De Quervain 's tenosynovitis is inflammation around the tendons in your thumb that leads to painful swelling. It's also called de Quervain 's tendinosis or de Quervain 's... De Quervain 's tenosynovitis is inflammation of tendons on the side of the wrist at the base of the thumb. These tendons include the extensor pollicis brevis and the abductor pollicis longus tendons, which extend the joints of the thumb. What causes de Quervain 's tenosynovitis ? What is de Quervain’s tenosynovitis ? De Quervain’s tenosynovitis (also known as de Quervain’s tendinopathy) is a type of tenosynovitis that affects some of the tendons on the wrist below the thumb, also known as the first dorsal compartment of the wrist.