Can Non-Mothers Develop “Mommy Thumb”?
New mothers lead the pack in suffering the pain of DeQervain’s tendonitis, or “new mommy’s thumb”. Named after the doctor who first discovered it in 1895, the condition normally begins as a “snap” in the wrist of new mothers as they are picking up and holding baby. That first feeling could eventually lead to calcium buildup and scar tissue near the base of the thumb.
WHY NEW MOTHERS
The condition has manifested in tennis players, musicians and folks that knit or cook, but new moms represent the bulk of cases. As you bend over to grasp and pick up your child, two tendons located in your wrists and thumbs are being strained to the limits. The tendons run from your thumb to your forearm and normally glide easily through a tunnel, but inflammation can cause the tunnel to become too narrow thus causing friction and pain.
POSSIBLE TREATMENTS
The tendons need rest and adequate time to repair, so hand movements must become less frequent. A therapist or doctor might suggest a brace to stabilize the area. Steroids can be used but they only mask the condition. The last resort would be surgery, but only as a last resort.
A short answer to this is yes. However, the exact cause of new mommy’s thumb is unknown. Of course, it is easy to assume that the repetitive motions of the thumb are to blame. Once those tendons become inflamed, it is easy to develop the syndrome.
Therefore, anyone who improperly uses their hands when lifting or gripping something is at risk for developing new mommy’s thumb. However, the condition is commonly called De Quervain Tendinitis for non-mothers.
An example of this would be a weight lifter who frequently uses improper technique when lifting heavy weights. He may rotate his thumb in a weird way, and that rotation may cause the tendons to become agitated and inflamed. One improper lift may not be enough for someone to develop the syndrome. That is why new mothers frequently develop mommy’s thumb. Because they frequently lift their baby every single day, their thumbs are susceptible to becoming injured.
