Do you know what mommy’s thumb is? It is a condition that can be caused by repetitive use of the thumb. This can happen when a mother constantly uses her thumb to support her baby’s head while breastfeeding or bottle-feeding. If you are experiencing pain in your thumb, there are ways to deal with it. In this blog post, we will discuss the causes of mommy’s thumb and some tips for how to manage the pain.
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What Is Mommy’s Thumb?
Mommy’s thumb, also known as de Quervain’s tenosynovitis, is a condition that causes pain in the wrist and thumb. The pain is caused by inflammation of the tendons that attach the muscles of the thumb to the bone. The condition is seen more often in women than men and is more common after the age of 40.
There are two main types of mommy’s thumb:
1. Acute mommy’s thumb: This is the more common type. It is characterized by sudden onset of pain, swelling, and tenderness in the wrist and thumb. The pain is often worse with the movement of the thumb.
2. Chronic mommy’s thumb: This type of mommy’s thumb is characterized by pain that comes and goes over a period of time. The pain may be mild or severe and is often worse with activity.
How To Treat Mommy’s Thumb?
Mommy’s thumb which is a result of tendinitis or other inflammation of the thumb is a very common condition. Treatments for mommy’s thumb are many. You can either take a conservative approach or go for surgery. Depending on the severity of your condition, the treatment approach will be decided.
There are several conservative approaches that can be taken to treat mommy’s thumb. These include:
1) Rest: This is the most important part of treating mommy’s thumb. You need to give your thumb a rest to allow the inflammation to subside. Avoid activities that require the use of the thumb such as writing, typing, or using scissors.
2) Ice: Applying an ice pack is the best way to treat any inflammation. To treat mommy’s thumb, ice packs are a great way to reduce swelling. Apply an ice pack for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day.
4) Anti-inflammatory medication: Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen can help to reduce swelling and pain.
3) Splinting: Splinting is a conservative approach to healing mommy’s thumb. It helps to immobilize the thumb and prevents further damage.
4) Steroid injections: If the above measures don’t work, your doctor may recommend steroid injections. These are usually given in the office and only require a small needle stick. This will help to reduce inflammation and pain.
5) Physical therapy: Exercises that stretch and strengthen the muscles and tendons around the thumb can be helpful in treating mommy’s thumb.
If conservative treatments are not effective, surgery may be an option. Surgery involves releasing the ligament that is causing the inflammation. This can be done through an incision in the palm or wrist.
How Long Does Mommy Thumb Take To Heal?
Most cases of mommy’s thumb resolve within a few weeks. However, some mothers may experience ongoing pain and discomfort for some time. If your symptoms are severe or persist for more than a few weeks, be sure to talk to your doctor. There are several treatment options available that can help ease your pain and promote healing. Surgery is rarely needed.
How Can I Prevent Mommy’s Thumb?
There are several things you can do to help prevent mommy’s thumb, or at least reduce your risk of developing the condition.
- First, be sure to warm up and stretch your hands and fingers before performing any activities that involve gripping or holding. This will help to loosen and relax the muscles and tendons in your hand.
- Second, avoid overusing your hands. If you find yourself constantly gripping or holding things, take a break every so often to give your hands a rest.
- Third, use proper form when performing activities that require repetitive motion of the hands or fingers.
- Fourth, wear gloves when doing any type of work that involves your hands, such as gardening or cleaning. This will help protect your hands from the wear and tear of everyday activities.
Exercises To Treat Mommy’s Thumb
The following hand exercises may promote healing once the pain of the mother’s thumb subsides. People can repeat these exercises every 2 hours, performing 5–10 repetitions of each exercise.
Wrist extension
People can sit or stand with their arms outstretched in front of them and their palms down. They should then use their other hand to bend the wrist back as far as possible before returning it to the starting position.
Finger abduction
This exercise strengthens the muscles around the thumb. People can sit or stand with their arms outstretched in front of them and palm down. They should then use their other hand to lift the affected thumb away from the rest of the fingers.
Finger abduction
This exercise works the muscles on the inside of the forearm that helps move the thumb. People can sit or stand with their arm outstretched in front of them and palm up. They should then use their other hand to bring the affected thumb down toward the little finger.
Thumb extension
This exercise strengthens the muscles that extend the thumb. People can sit or stand with their arm outstretched in front of them and palm up. They should then use their other hand to lift the affected thumb up away from the rest of the fingers.
Grasping
This exercise strengthens the muscles that help close the hand. People can sit or stand with their arms outstretched in front of them and palm down. They should then use their other hand to curl their fingers inward, making a fist around a small object such as a pencil or cotton ball.
These exercises will help to stretch and strengthen the muscles and tendons around the joint. It is important to start slowly and increase the reps as the pain decreases. If the pain does not improve after 2 weeks, it is important to see a doctor or hand therapist for further evaluation.
Conclusion
To sum up, it is common for mothers to experience mommy’s thumb after childbirth. The possible causes of this are hormonal changes or the constant holding and carrying of a newborn baby. In order to treat mommy’s thumb, it is important to rest the joint and avoid any activities that may aggravate the condition. In severe cases, surgery may be required. If you experience any discomfort or pain in your thumb, consulting a doctor for physical therapy is the best conservative professional method.
Physical Therapy help patients recover from pain. If you’re experiencing Back pain, Shoulder pain, Knee pain, Neck pain, Elbow pain, Hip pain, or Arthritis pain, a physical therapist at MantraCare can help: Book a physiotherapy session.
