De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis (Mama’s hand) is a painful, inflammatory condition. Pain is usually located on the side of the wrist at the base of the thumb. It occurs when the tendons that control thumb movement become irritated or inflamed, often due to repetitive motion or overuse. Repetitive motions such as gripping, grasping or wringing of objects will lead to this condition. De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis is very common in mother of newborns population as hormonal changes increase the laxity of tendons and ligaments in conjunction with activities like picking up the baby, lifting, or repetitive motions involved in caring for an infant (like breastfeeding or bottle-feeding) can put a lot of strain on the wrist and thumb.
- Pain on the thumb side of the wrist, which may radiate up the forearm.
- Pain can worsen with activities that involve gripping, pinching, or turning the wrist.
- Swelling near the base of the thumb.
- Tenderness when touching the affected area.
- Discomfort when moving the thumb or wrist, especially when trying to grasp objects.
- A feeling of creaking or snapping when moving the thumb.
- Ice Therapy: Applying ice packs to the affected area for 15-20 minutes to reduce swelling and pain.
- Heat Therapy: After the initial inflammation decreases, gentle heat can be applied to relax the muscles.
- Soft Tissue Mobilization: Techniques to release tension in the surrounding muscles and improve circulation.
- Joint Mobilization: Gentle mobilization techniques to improve wrist mobility if needed.
- Activity Modification: Teaching patients how to modify daily activities to reduce strain on the wrist and thumb.
- Wrist and Thumb Splints: Using a splint to immobilize the thumb and wrist, allowing the inflamed tendons to rest and heal.
- Range of Motion Exercises: Gentle stretches for the thumb and wrist to improve flexibility.
- Strengthening Exercises: Once pain decreases, exercises to strengthen the muscles around the wrist and thumb, such as squeezing a soft ball or using resistance bands
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