by: Lisa Zeltzer
Constantly picking up my 20-something pound son (especially from the lowest crib setting) has caused yet another flare up of my “Mommy Thumb”. This oh-so-common ailment is also known as de Quervain’s tenosynovitis; caused by frequent repetitive movements resulting in inflammation in the tendons that run from your thumb to your wrist. It can cause a sharp pain over the thumb side of the wrist which can travel up the forearm. This is a very common injury in parents, with an estimated ¼ to ½ of all new mothers experiencing symptoms of de Quervain’s. These symptoms are typically exacerbated when engaged in lifting, bathing, and dressing baby.
If you suspect that you may suffer from de Quervain’s then try these tests at home:
1) Finkelstein’s test: Make a fist with your thumb tucked tightly in the middle. Bend your fist in the direction of your little finger, stretching the thumb tendons. If you feel a sharp pain, you may have de Quervain’s.
2) Hold your hand flat and bend your thumb back as far as you can toward your wrist. There will be a small pocket at the base of your thumb. If it is painful to push here, you may have de Quervain’s.
What to do if you suspect you have de Quervain’s:
1) Ice, rest and anti-inflammatory drugs
2) If pain persists, see a professional: you may need to be fitted with a custom splint by an Occupational Therapist to restrict movement
3) Change the way in which you hold your baby
- Always nurse your baby with a pillow under the head so the weight of the baby is not straining your thumb
- Try to pick up baby using a scooping technique at the bum and behind the head, so the baby’s weight is distributed into your palms or forearms
- Avoid lifting baby under the armpits with your hands in an “L” shape
