Hello Dr. Nuance & Baraki,
A few weeks ago I noticed some wrist pain after getting home from the gym. It didn’t hurt much when bending the wrist back and forward, rather side to side.
I figured it was just because I was benching and it would go away. My form isn’t the best and i’ve been working to improve since I started lifting.
After a couple days of tenderness and taking ibuprofen it was still quite irritated.
So I did some basic research and the Finkelstein test on this page definitely causes the most pain:
If my thumb isn’t against my hand and under my fingers when making a fist the pain isn’t as bad.
So i’ve been wrapping my wrist to keep it stable and taking ibuprofen before going to the gym.
I’ve been using a different grip when doing any pressing (trying bulldog grip when benching, etc.) and exercises that would irritate it.
The pain is not nearly as bad as it used to be, but still there. Especially when doing anything with a closed fist like that Finkelstein test.
Should I continue what i’m doing or what? When should it be a time to schedule a doctor visit?
If things are significantly improved, I’d keep doing what you’re doing. De Quervain’s is typically a self-limited condition (meaning it tends to get better on its own with time). If you schedule a doctor’s visit, they’re likely to offer you a local corticosteroid injection, which may provide some benefit - though I personally wouldn’t do it unless symptoms are both severe and persistent … which doesn’t sound like your case.