Mommy Thumb or De Quervain tenosynovitis is a painful condition that involves the 2 tendons passing through your wrist to your thumb. There may be swelling at the base of your thumb and you may feel tendon creaking when you move your wrist or thumb. 

 

It is named Mommy Thumb as it is common among mums with newborns as their wrists are repetitively used while taking care of their baby. It can also happen in newborn’s dad. 

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妈妈手（拇指肌腱炎/ 狭窄性肌腱滑膜囊炎）牵涉两条手腕与拇指连接处的肌腱。手腕侧边或拇指底部一般会有肿胀疼痛的情况，伸直与弯曲手腕或拇指时会“卡”“卡”作响。

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这情况之所以被俗称为“妈妈手”是因为它多发于照顾新生儿的妈妈群中，然而新手爸爸或奶妈也可能因为长期过度使用手腕或重复涉及腕关节的活动，比如喂奶、扶抱宝宝等，而引起手腕／拇指肌腱发炎。

 

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How is Mommy Thumb diagnosed?

 

A simple test called Finfelstein’s test can be used to diagnose De Quervain. This is done by placing your thumb inside a closed fist and tilt your wrist down towards the direction of your little finger. Pain felt along your thumb and wrist confirms the diagnosis. 

 

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What is the fastest way to get rid of my Mommy Thumb?

 

Mommy thumb is an overuse condition. To be honest, not lifting and carrying your baby is the best way to heal your thumb, better than any other treatment you can possibly find. This is why you may hear about mums who have been struggling with Mummy’s thumb recovered without any treatment since they returned to their full time job. 

 

However we understand that this can be impossible for some mums and we appreciate the importance of bonding between mums and their newborns. At Beyond Physio, we provide treatment for pain relief (including dry needling/ acupuncture) as well as showing you how to reduce the needs of using your wrists when taking care of your baby. 

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How does a physiotherapist help me with my Mommy Thumb?

 

To achieve the best effect in treating Mommy Thumb, we will carry out a detailed assessment not only around your painful wrist and thumb but also your neck and shoulders. This is because, especially in severe condition, the pain may have started from or spread to your neck and shoulders. Treating only the wrist without clearing the neck and shoulders might not be as effective and the results may not be as sustainable. 

 

Pain relief treatment for Mommy Thumb includes a combination of dry needling/ acupuncture, manual therapy and soft tissue release. 

 

We will also check how you lift, carry and feed your baby. Bring your baby in if possible, if not show us videos of you lifting and feeding your baby. Exercises to stretch and strengthen muscles around your shoulders and wrists will be prescribed according to your individual needs. 

 

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Can Mommy thumb cause shoulder pain?

 

Our upper limb includes shoulder blade, shoulder, elbow, wrist and hands. All these joints work together and they can affect one another. Your Mommy Thumb may be a result of your weak shoulder or your painful wrist can cause over compensation in your shoulder. 

 

An effective treatment for Mommy Thumb addresses everything from your neck to your fingers. Treating only the wrist without clearing the neck and shoulders might not be as effective and the results may not be as sustainable. 

 

Should I use a thumb/ wrist splint?

 

Yes, use a splint to keep your wrist and thumb straight to allow resting and healing. However you should not use it all day, continuously. Remove the splint from time to time to move your wrist and thumbs and to perform the exercises we showed you.   

 

Use the splint at night only if you are experiencing pain at night time.

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