I had "mommy wrist" and didn't even know it existed. Here are some ways to find relief

Key Takeaways

• Nursing (and using your tendons and muscles in new ways) may be contributing to "mommy wrist." Using the thumb and wrist in a different way than you're used to, especially when bottle or breastfeeding, may cause some discomfort.
• Splints, icing the area, and switching up the way you hold your baby can help relieve symptoms. And you can also try over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications to reduce pain and swelling.
• Talk to your provider if you're not finding any relief. They may recommend things like physical therapy and corticosteroid injections if things don't get any better.

There are a lot of weird and random things that can happen with your body in the postpartum period . While some symptoms get more attention than others, we don't talk enough about "mommy wrist," a painful condition that impacts the tendons in the thumb side of your wrist. Recently, actress Kaley Cuoco opened up about her experience with it on Instagram stories, sharing a photo wearing a compression bandage. Her daughter is now 3 months old.

I too had mommy wrist with my first child. Simple tasks like picking up my son or turning door handles caused me severe pain. I had no idea that this was parenting related, but when I brought it up to my OB-GYN during my first postpartum visit , she pointed out that the way I was holding my baby might be contributing. It turns out that I was bending my wrist at a weird angle while I nursed. My tendons and muscles were working in new ways and that was fueling my pain.

But what causes mommy wrist and how is this treated? We talked with experts to find out.

What is mommy wrist?

"Mommy wrist" describes a condition that can happen during the postpartum period. "It is essentially an overuse condition, a tendonitis," says physical therapist Nancy R. Kirsch, DPT, Ph.D. The technical term for it is De Quervain's tenosynovitis.

With mommy wrist, "the tendons that run along the thumb side of the wrist and attach to the base of the thumb become inflamed and swollen," Dr. Kirsch explains. Essentially, the tendons in those areas become constricted and cause swelling, irritation, and pain.

What are the symptoms of mommy wrist?

Many moms report they have pain or discomfort when doing things like opening jars, picking up their baby, or turning a door knob, but there are a few distinct symptoms to be aware of, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). Those include:

• Pain on the thumb side of the wrist that may appear either gradually or suddenly. This pain starts in the wrist and can travel up the forearm, and it's worse when you use the thumb or wrist.
• Swelling on the thumb side of the wrist.
• A catching or snapping sensation when moving the thumb.
• Trouble moving the thumb and wrist due to pain and swelling.

There are a few things that can make mommy wrist worse, too, says physical therapist Ashley Rawlins , PT, DPT.

• Tilting or bending your wrist toward your pinky
• Pinching or gripping with your hands
• Twisting or wringing your hands

What causes mommy wrist?

In general, mommy wrist is caused by using the thumb and wrist in a different way than you're used to. "It can be overuse, new use, or different use," says David C. Hay , M.D., a Los Angeles-based orthopedic hand and wrist surgeon. "You're holding your child, they fall asleep, and your hand is stuck in an awkward position, or nursing mothers hold the baby with their thumb out and wrist tilted at an unusual angle."

Repeatedly using your wrists in a way you haven't in the past can irritate the tendons that pass through the wrist, according to Dr. Kirsch. "The repetition inflames the tendons, resulting in irritation and swelling over time and, ultimately, pain," she says.

The things you're doing may seem small, but they can build up over time. "Unfortunately, the majority of the things that we do to care for even just the basic needs of our little ones – lifting, holding, head-supporting, and multitasking, for example – can put a significant amount of stress and strain on the muscles in your wrists, particularly the ones on the thumb side," Rawlins explains.

How is mommy wrist treated?

The right treatment depends on how bad your case of mommy wrist is, Dr. Hay says. Thankfully, my OB-GYN caught my own case early, and I found some relief by being mindful of how I positioned my wrists while holding my baby and icing my wrists regularly.

Dr. Kirsch recommends conservative intervention for relief. These tactics include:

• Wearing a removable splint to minimize thumb and wrist movement, which decreases tendon inflammation.
• Getting recommendations from a physical or occupational therapist on the best ways to lift, hold, and position your baby to minimize the overuse of the thumb and wrist.
• Applying ice to the area during the day.
• Taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications to reduce pain and swelling
• Talking to your doctor about corticosteroid injections if these moves don't help. (The AAOS notes that one or two injections can help relieve the condition in 50 to 80 percent of patients.)

When it comes to handling your baby, Dr. Kirsch recommends "trying to keep your wrist flat rather than curved when picking up your child." Scooping your baby up from underneath when picking them up can minimize hand, thumb, and wrist strain. When feeding your baby, use pillows to support your baby and your arm, too.

If your mommy wrist is really bad and nothing helps, you may need surgery. But, "the need for surgery is rare," Dr. Hay says. He recommends talking to your provider ASAP if you're uncomfortable so you can start on a treatment plan that's right for you.