Mommy Thumb ? A Common Cause of Hand, Wrist, and Thumb Pain in New ...

An older name for the problem is DeQuervain?s tenosynovitis (just means inflammation of the tendon covering).

What causes Mommy Thumb?

Also called tendonitis, it involves inflammation along the tendons that pull the thumb backward (like a hitchhiker?s thumb). These tendons cross over from the back of the forearm, across the wrist, and onto the backside of the thumb.

Where is the pain?

Patients can have pain anywhere from the forearm to the middle joint of the thumb. This can be a shooting or aching pain that gets worse with even light use of the hand. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you may have this tendonitis:

restricted range of movement in the thumb (thumb stiffness)trouble lifting even small objects, like a cuppain on the thumb side of the wrist with twisting or gripping

Why is it called mommy thumb?

New moms get this condition because they lift their babies many times each day. When you lift a baby with your hands under her arms, your thumbs are usually pointed up and your fingers wrap around the baby?s back. This position stresses and strains the thumb tendons in the most forceful way possible, sometimes leading to irritation and inflammation of the tendon lining.

Can I do anything about this?

When you lift the baby, try to alternate lifting with one hand palm up and the other one in the usual position, under the arm. Lifting with the hand in a palm-up position will take the strain off the irritated tendons and reduce pain. For more detailed information about treating mommy thumb and how to avoid surgery, see a more detailed article and video on my website below.

C. Noel Henley, MD is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon specializing in hand and arm surgery. He has a passion for educating patients and restoring function of the human body with a wide range of techniques in patients of all ages.

Your optimal health starts with education!

Learn more about your hand or arm problem and see Dr. Henley?s video on mommy thumb by visiting:

http://www.noelhenley.com/mommy-thumb

?2010 noelhenley.com. All rights reserved.

Source: http://www.womenfavor.com/health-and-fitness/hand-wrist-pain/mommy-thumb-a-common-cause-of-hand-wrist-and-thumb-pain-in-new-mothers.html

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