Common causes of De Quervain tenosynovitis include: Repetitive thumb or wrist movement e.g. typing, texting, gaming Occupational or recreational overuse e.g. carpentry, knitting, hairdressing Sudden increases in activity levels e.g. new sports, weightlifting, gardening New mothers lifting and carrying new-borns "mommy thumb" Injury or trauma to the wrist e.g. wrist fracture Arthritis or inflammatory conditions e.g. rheumatoid arthritis