Medically reviewed by: Mark A. Yaffe, MD, certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, subspecialty certified in hand surgery. Last reviewed: October 5, 2026
WRIST TENDONITIS TREATMENT IN THE CHICAGO AREA
Wrist Tendonitis Treatment in Schaumburg, Buffalo Grove & Elk Grove Village
Dr. Mark Yaffe(opens in a new tab) is an orthopedic specialist with a subspecialty focus on hand and wrist conditions, including wrist tendonitis. Pain along the tendons of the wrist can make typing, lifting, gripping or playing sports uncomfortable, and it often lingers when the wrist keeps being used. Dr. Yaffe’s goal is to settle the inflammation and get your wrist working comfortably again with the least invasive approach that will work for you.
Whether your wrist pain started after a new activity or has built up gradually, Dr. Yaffe offers a thorough evaluation to confirm that tendonitis is the cause and a plan matched to your symptoms. As part of his broader hand and wrist care(opens in a new tab), he starts with non-surgical treatment and offers minimally invasive options for tendonitis that does not settle with conservative care.
Dr. Yaffe takes the time to listen to your concerns and explains your options so you can decide what fits your goals. If you are ready to find relief with one of the hand & wrist doctors serving Schaumburg(opens in a new tab), Buffalo Grove(opens in a new tab), and Elk Grove Village(opens in a new tab), request your first appointment with Dr. Yaffe today.
Wrist Pain, Swelling & Pain With Gripping or Twisting
Signs and Symptoms of Wrist Tendonitis
Tendons are the cords that connect muscle to bone and glide through sheaths around the wrist. Tendonitis happens when a tendon or its sheath becomes irritated and inflamed, usually from overuse or repetitive motion. Common signs include:
- Pain along a tendon: An ache or sharp pain on the thumb side, top or underside of the wrist that is felt with use.
- Pain on the thumb side of the wrist when gripping, pinching or turning the hand can be a sign of De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, a common form of wrist tendonitis.
- Swelling and tenderness: Puffiness or a tender spot along the affected tendon, sometimes with warmth.
- Pain with movement: Discomfort when bending, twisting or lifting, especially during repetitive tasks or sports.
- Stiffness and weakness: A wrist that feels stiff, especially after rest, or weaker than usual when gripping.
- A creaking or catching feeling: A grating sensation along the tendon when the wrist or thumb moves.
- Wrist pain after a fall or injury, or with numbness or tingling, can have other causes such as a fracture or carpal tunnel syndrome, which is why an exam matters.
REST, SPLINTS, HAND THERAPY & MINIMALLY INVASIVE TREATMENT
Wrist Tendonitis Treatment Options
The right treatment depends on which tendon is involved, how long symptoms have been present, and how much they limit your daily life. Most patients begin with non-surgical care. Dr. Yaffe’s options include:
- Non-surgical care: Rest and activity changes, splinting or bracing the wrist, anti-inflammatory medication, hand therapy, and injections to reduce inflammation. These measures aim to calm the irritated tendon so it can heal, particularly when tendonitis is caught early.
- Minimally invasive treatment: For tendonitis that does not settle with conservative care, Dr. Yaffe offers minimally invasive options for the hand and wrist designed to treat the problem with smaller incisions and a quicker return to activity.
- Minimally-Invasive Surgery(opens in a new tab): Dr. Yaffe uses techniques developed specifically for the hand and wrist, with the goal of reducing recovery time and getting you back to work and the activities you enjoy as soon as possible.
- Sports Injuries(opens in a new tab): Dr. Yaffe treats tendonitis that comes from sports and repetitive activity, and helps with rehabilitation and preventing the problem from returning.
A procedure is considered when symptoms continue despite non-surgical treatment and limit what you need to do each day. There is no single right time, and Dr. Yaffe will walk through your options with you. This page is for education and does not replace an examination, so an in-person evaluation is the way to confirm your diagnosis and the best plan for you.
About your surgeon. Dr. Mark A. Yaffe is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery in orthopaedic surgery, with a subspecialty certification in hand surgery, and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. He earned his M.D. at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, completed his orthopaedic residency at Northwestern, and trained in hand and upper extremity surgery at The Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center. He was named a Castle Connolly Top Doctor in 2026 and a Chicago Magazine Top Doctor in 2025. Read Dr. Yaffe's full bio.(opens in a new tab)
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes wrist tendonitis?
Wrist tendonitis usually develops from overuse or repetitive motion, such as typing, using tools, lifting, or racquet and gripping sports, especially after a sudden increase in activity. Awkward wrist positions, arthritis and inflammatory conditions can also contribute. Dr. Yaffe evaluates each patient to understand what may be driving their symptoms.
Can tendonitis affect the hand and fingers too?
Yes. The tendons that move the fingers and thumb run through the wrist and hand, so irritation can occur in either area. When the tendon catches at the base of a finger, the problem is called trigger finger, which is treated differently. Dr. Yaffe examines the whole hand and wrist to find the true source of your pain.
What is De Quervain’s tenosynovitis?
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is irritation of the two tendons that run along the thumb side of the wrist. It causes pain and swelling there that is worse with gripping, pinching or turning the hand. It is a common form of wrist tendonitis, and an exam helps tell it apart from thumb arthritis, which can feel similar.
How is wrist tendonitis diagnosed?
Diagnosis starts with your history and a hands-on exam to find the painful tendon and see which movements bring on symptoms. X-rays may be used to rule out a fracture or arthritis, and other imaging such as ultrasound or MRI may be used when more detail is needed. This helps Dr. Yaffe recommend the right treatment.
Can wrist tendonitis be treated without surgery?
Most of the time, yes. Rest, activity changes, splinting or bracing, anti-inflammatory medication, hand therapy and injections can ease symptoms for many patients, especially when tendonitis is caught early. If symptoms keep returning or do not improve, Dr. Yaffe will discuss other options with you.
How does Dr. Yaffe treat tendonitis from sports and repetitive activity?
Dr. Yaffe tailors treatment to the activity behind the problem. Care can include rest, bracing or custom splints made by Certified Hand Therapists, anti-inflammatory medication, rehabilitation with physical therapists, and guidance on technique, strengthening and protective gear to help prevent a repeat. You can learn more about his sports injury care(opens in a new tab) for the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder.
What if my wrist tendonitis does not get better?
If symptoms continue despite non-surgical treatment, Dr. Yaffe can discuss minimally invasive options for the hand and wrist. He reviews the expected benefits and risks with you so you can make an informed decision, and gives you specific instructions for recovery if a procedure is chosen. Results and recovery timelines vary from patient to patient.
How can I get started with the best hand and wrist specialist near me?
At Dr. Yaffe’s practice, we want it to be as easy as possible to get started on your road to relief. Just use our simple online appointment request(opens in a new tab) tool, and it helps to note which movements and activities bring on the pain.
Get Your Wrist Pain Evaluated by a Hand & Wrist Specialist
Expert Orthopedic Care from Mark A. Yaffe, M.D.