You can’t grip a coffee cup without wincing. Lifting your child sends a sharp pain shooting up your thumb-side wrist. You’ve tried splints, rest, maybe even a cortisone shot, and it keeps coming back.
We don’t just treat the sore wrist.
We assess your thumb, forearm, elbow, and shoulder to find what’s actually restricting your tendon glide.
Focused shockwave targets tissue recovery.
Research-backed acoustic energy therapy combined with progressive strengthening to restore grip capacity, not just mask symptoms.
Built to last, not just feel better this week.
We identify and address the aggravating loads that cause relapse so your recovery sticks.
60-minute one-on-one assessment + treatment plan.
No pressure, no contracts.
If any of this sounds familiar, you're in the right place.
Pain when gripping, pinching, or twisting that shoots along the thumb side of your wrist
New parent struggling to lift or hold your baby without wrist pain
Constant texting, typing, or tool use has made the pain chronic
Cortisone helped for a while, then the pain came right back
Your hands are your livelihood, and you need something that actually fixes the problem, not just buys time
The Real Problem
Explore 4 slides on De Quervain's Tenosynovitis
Most people have several of these happening at once. That’s why we assess the whole chain, from shoulder to fingertip, not just the painful spot.
OUR APPROACH
INITIAL VISIT
Test grip strength, thumb range, wrist mobility, and forearm/elbow function
Identify which contributing factors are driving your specific case
Walk out with a clear written treatment plan and transparent pricing
First 3 to 5 Weeks
Focused shockwave therapy to the first dorsal compartment to stimulate tissue response
EMTT as an adjunctive modality to support tissue recovery (emerging evidence)
Manual therapy to release tension in the forearm, thumb joint, and elbow
Make gripping, lifting, and daily hand use tolerable, fast.
5+ Weeks and Beyond
Graded grip and wrist strengthening to rebuild load tolerance
Ergonomic coaching and technique modifications for work, sport, or childcare
Digital coaching to maintain progress and prevent relapse independently
What To Expect
Every case is different, but research and our clinical experience consistently show:
Noticeable improvement within 3 to 5 weeks. Clinical research shows significant pain reduction during and shortly after a course of focused shockwave, with continued gains through 3 months.
Better grip, less pain with daily tasks. Many patients regain the ability to grip, pinch, lift, and work with their hands with significantly less discomfort.
A real alternative before surgery. For many cases, a structured plan combining shockwave, load management, and progressive rehab can help patients avoid or delay surgical release.
Our promise: we will tell you honestly at the assessment if we don’t believe you’re a good candidate for this approach.
EVIDENCE
Focused shockwave therapy has been shown to significantly reduce pain and improve hand function in De Quervain’s patients, supported by randomized trials and network meta-analyses of 30+ studies.
In a 60-patient randomized study, a 5-session shockwave protocol produced substantial improvements in pain and disability scores through 3 months of follow-up.
EMTT has shown pain reduction and functional improvement in a placebo-controlled trial across musculoskeletal conditions, with emerging laboratory evidence of tissue-supportive effects on tendon cells.
Population-level research identifies repetitive hand use and postpartum caregiving as meaningful contributors, supporting a treatment plan that addresses load factors alongside tissue recovery.
Histological studies show tissue thickening and degeneration rather than classic inflammation, explaining why anti-inflammatory approaches alone often fail to resolve the condition.
Outcomes are group averages from clinical trials; individual results vary.
Here are answers to some of the most common questions about De Quervain's Tenosynovitis.
6 results found
Yes. Randomized trials and network meta-analyses show that focused shockwave therapy significantly reduces pain and improves hand function in De Quervain’s patients. Results typically build over several weeks after a course of 3 to 5 sessions. We review whether shockwave is right for your case during the initial assessment.
Repetitive thumb and wrist loading is a well-supported contributor. Texting, typing, tool use, and sustained gripping can overload the tendon tunnel over time. Occupational research confirms the link between cumulative hand exposure and De Quervain’s. We map out your specific triggers in your first visit.
A published clinical trial used 5 sessions over about 3 weeks with strong results. Our clinical estimate is 3 to 5 shockwave sessions for most cases. The exact number depends on severity, how long you’ve had symptoms, and other contributing factors. We discuss this at your assessment.
Relapse is most common when the aggravating loads haven’t changed. If you return to the same gripping, lifting, or repetitive pattern without rebuilding capacity or adjusting technique, the tendon re-irritates. Metabolic factors like diabetes can also influence outcomes. Our plan addresses both symptom relief and the drivers of recurrence.
Cortisone can reduce pain, but it doesn’t change the underlying tendon thickening or the loads driving the problem. When it wears off, the structural issue remains. Focused shockwave combined with rehab and load management takes a different approach by targeting tissue response and building capacity. We review your injection history and map the next steps at the assessment.
Yes. Pregnancy and postpartum periods carry a higher risk due to a combination of tissue susceptibility and new caregiving demands like sustained lifting and thumb positioning. Research has identified specific gestational factors associated with postpartum De Quervain’s. We see this regularly and tailor treatment to new parents’ needs.
YOUR NEXT STEP
Stop guessing, stop collecting random treatments, and get a plan that treats the system, not just the sore wrist.
Initial De Quervain's Tenosynovitis Assessment — Edmonton
60-minute one-on-one session. Here’s what’s included:
Full wrist, thumb, forearm, elbow, and shoulder assessment
Identify which pain drivers matter for your specific case
Review of history and imaging if available
Clear written plan with transparent pricing before you commit
No referral needed. No obligation to continue beyond the first visit.
No pressure, no contracts.
We will tell you honestly at the assessment if we don't believe you're a good candidate for this approach. If your condition needs something different, we'll refer you directly.
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