Whether you’re a new mom or have graduated to wrangling toddlers, if you have dealt with wrist and thumb pain when caring for your kids, chances are you have de Quervain’s tenosynovitis, also lovingly called mommy thumb or mom’s wrist. Don’t miss this quick guide to understanding what causes this painful condition and how to treat it:
What is Mommy Thumb?
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is a painful overuse condition involving two tendons (rough, fibrous bands of tissue which connect muscle to bone) which help control movement in the wrist and thumb. The specific tendons affected with this type of overuse injury attach to the base of the thumb through a tunnel, or sheath, and glide over one another when you pinch, grasp, grip, or clench something.
With de Quervain’s tenosynovitis, inflammation of the tendons and tendon sheath causes friction and rubbing instead of smooth gliding when you move your hand and wrist. Why is it called mommy thumb? Well in addition to repetitive wrist motions you see with activities like golfing, gardening, and playing tennis, picking up your baby over and over is known to cause symptoms associated with de Quervain’s tenosynovitis.
Symptoms of mommy thumb can include everything from mild (and chronic wrist) discomfort to pain and swelling near the base of the thumb, limited wrist and thumb range of motion, especially when you grab or pinch something, and a sticking sensation when you move your thumb around. Pain can spread to the forearm and is most pronounced with motions that involve the thumb and wrist – like picking up a child or making a fist.
Tips for Treating Mommy Thumb
Like many overuse injuries, de Quervain’s tenosynovitis can be reversed with rest and a handful of simple steps. Talk to your doctor to get an official diagnosis and come up with a treatment plan that makes sense for your busy schedule as a mom. Your doctor may recommend:
- Bracing or splinting – wearing a brace meant to relieve carpal tunnel syndrome pain can also benefit moms with de Quervain’s tenosynovitis. A simple wrist wrap prevents you from using your wrist in aggravating ways as well as stabilizes the tendon while the swelling goes down.
- Ice therapy – placing an ice pack on your wrist can aid inflammation and therefore reduce pain. Always apply a cold pack with a barrier between it and your skin (like a hand towel) and don’t ice for more than 10 to 20 minutes at a time to avoid ice-burn and making your wrist stiff. You can alternate with a heating pad to provide added relief.
- Taking anti-inflammatories – over-the-counter NSAIDs like Ibuprofen can help combat inflammation in your wrist that is contributing to pain and discomfort. These types of medicine can come with their own side effects, like stomach issues, however, so talk with your doctor first about taking them.
- Modifying your movements – resting your wrist and thumb may seem impossible when you have a small child who has to be picked up or carried intermittently. Modifying your movements to avoid exacerbating your injury is a must though. Avoid picking your child up by gripping them under their arms; instead with your hand flat palm up, lift them from under their bottom.
- When breastfeeding, use a pillow for support under the arm on which your baby’s head rests so that your wrist doesn’t have to do as much work to bear the weight. When pushing a stroller, avoid gripping the handle and bending the wrist and instead push with flattened palms. And when carrying your baby, try to utilize a baby carrier you can wear instead of holding them in one arm
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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