The “Mommy’s thumb” - De Quervain Syndrome

Mommy’s thumb is caused by inflammation of the soft tissues over the base of the thumb and wrist. It’s clinically called the De Quervain Syndrome. It is most commonly the result of carrying a baby, leading to overusing of the wrist and fingers. 

 

 

 

De Quervain Syndrome is a condition most commonly seen in mothers approximately 8 months postpartum. One other cause is thought to be endocrine in origin leading to fluid retention in lactating mothers, which may be seen within the first 3 months postpartum. 

Benphysio does provide this service in all our outlets in Oval Damansara, Bangsar, Puchong, KL Ampang, Cheras and Giza KD. We specialized in hands-on physiotherapy to treat the problem.

 

Clinical Presentation

1. Pain at the base of the thumb increases with wrist deviation and thumb abduction.

2. Swelling and tenderness at the distal wrist.

3. Difficulty in pinching, gripping, and holding.

4. Decreased thumb mobility.

5. Guarding of hand/wrist.

 

Does it happen only to Mothers???

The answer is NO. 

 

De Quervain Syndrome is also an overuse injury associated with fly fishing, golfing, piano playing, office workers, and people who require repetitive wrist and finger movements.

 

In the world of technology, the use of mobile phones is increasing day by day, people are using mobile phones for texting and gaming very often. Apart from its useful implication in advancement, the use of mobile phones makes the young generation prone to musculoskeletal and repetitive strain injuries, hence is also a trigger for De Quervain Syndrome.
 

 

Do I have De Quervain Syndrome? 

 

Try this Finkelstein's Maneuver test yourself to find out!
 

 

1. Hold your thumb inside and grip a fist.

 

 

2. Tilt your wrist downward.

 

If you feel pain at the base of your thumb in this test, it's a positive indicator of De Quervain.

 

Again, we at Benphysio do provide this service in all our outlets in Oval Damansara, Bangsar, Puchong, KL Ampang, Cheras and Giza KD. We specialized in hands-on physiotherapy to treat the problem. Feel free to call us to make an appointment to get your problem diagnosed by our physiotherapists and fixed via hands on physiotherapy. We are available at Oval Damansara, Bangsar, Puchong, KL Ampang, Cheras and Giza KD.

Created by: Ting Hui (Puchong)

Reference
 

1. Spicer, P. J., Thompson, H. K., & Montgomery, J. R. (2022). Mommy's thumb: De Quervain's tenosynovitis in a new mother with cardiomyopathy. Radiology Case Reports, 17(11), 4368-4370.

2.    Iqbal, S., Khattak, HG, Aman, S., Anwar, K., Ali, B., & Malakandi, HB (2021). Frequency of De-Quervain 

       Syndrome in Mobile Users Among Undergraduate Students of Allied Health Sciences Peshawar. Foundation 

       University Journal of Rehabilitation Sciences , 1 (1), 15-18.

3.   Dressendorfer, R., Matlick, D., Council, RO, & Richman, S. (2020). De Quervain's Syndrome.

4.   Rutkowski, M., & Rutkowski, K. (2023). Potential effects, diagnosis, and management of De Quervain Tenosynovitis in the aesthetics community: A Brief Review, Case Example, and Illustrative Exercises. The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology , 16 (9 Suppl 2), S28.

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