De Quervain's: thumb and wrist pain in new parents
Pain on the thumb side of the wrist that makes lifting your baby, wringing a cloth or opening a jar miserable is very often de Quervain's tenosynovitis. It's so common in new parents it's sometimes called 'mummy thumb', though dads, grandparents and plenty of people without babies get it too.
What is de Quervain's tenosynovitis?
It's irritation of two tendons that run along the thumb side of the wrist, and of the tunnel (sheath) they pass through. When the tendons and sheath become thickened and sensitive, movements of the thumb and wrist become painful.
What does de Quervain's feel like?
Pain and sometimes swelling at the base of the thumb and along the thumb side of the wrist, which may travel up the forearm. It's worse with gripping, pinching, lifting with the thumb out, and twisting movements. Some people feel a catching or creaking sensation as the thumb moves.
Why do new parents get it?
Repetition, mostly. Lifting a baby under the arms with your thumbs stretched out and wrists bent, supporting the head during feeding, and carrying a capsule or pram, dozens of times a day, load these tendons heavily. Fluid changes after birth may also contribute. Outside of parenting, common triggers are gardening, racquet sports, lifting, and lots of phone or gaming use.
How can I lift my baby without aggravating it?
Scoop rather than pinch. Slide one hand under your baby's bottom and the other behind the head and shoulders, keeping your palms up, wrists straight and thumbs in line with your fingers rather than splayed out. Bring your baby close before lifting. Use pillows to support your baby's weight while feeding, swap sides, and share lifting where you can.
What is the best treatment for de Quervain's?
A recent analysis of conservative treatments found that a splint worn full time together with a corticosteroid injection ranked highest for pain and function, followed by injection alone, and that all active treatments did better than no treatment. The certainty of evidence was low to very low (Cuenca-Zaldívar et al., Journal of Hand Therapy, 2026). In practice, most people start with activity changes and a splint, and add an injection through their GP if it isn't settling.
Do thumb splints help?
A thumb spica splint, which supports the wrist and the base of the thumb, rests the tendons and often eases pain. Your GP, a hand therapist or a pharmacist can help with fitting. It's usually worn for a few weeks, taking it off for gentle movement so the thumb doesn't stiffen.
Is a cortisone injection safe while breastfeeding?
Injections are commonly used for de Quervain's in breastfeeding mothers, but it's a decision to make with your GP, who can talk through the benefits and risks for you.
What exercises help de Quervain's?
Early on, keep to gentle, pain-free movement of the thumb and wrist. As pain settles, gradual strengthening helps the tendons tolerate load again: thumb lifts against a rubber band, gentle gripping, and wrist strengthening with a light weight. Avoid stretching the thumb forcefully across the palm, which tends to aggravate it.
How long does de Quervain's take to get better?
With activity changes and a splint, many people improve over four to six weeks, though it can linger while the aggravating activity continues. It often settles as babies get older and lifting patterns change. Surgery to release the tendon sheath is an option for the small number of cases that don't respond.
Can an osteopath help de Quervain's?
Yes. We confirm the diagnosis, check the wrist, thumb joints, elbow and neck for other causes, and help with lifting and feeding positions, splint advice, hands-on treatment for the forearm and wrist, and a graded strengthening plan. We'll refer you to your GP if an injection is worth considering.
Is it de Quervain's or thumb arthritis?
Arthritis at the base of the thumb causes pain lower down, where the thumb meets the wrist, often with a grinding feeling and pain when pinching or turning keys. It's more common after 50. De Quervain's pain sits slightly further up, on the side of the wrist. An assessment can usually tell them apart.
Does phone use cause de Quervain's?
Heavy thumb use on phones and game controllers can aggravate these tendons, especially when combined with lots of lifting. Holding the phone in the other hand, using your index finger or voice typing, and taking breaks can help while it settles.
When should thumb and wrist pain be checked?
Book in if pain isn't improving after a couple of weeks, or is making it hard to care for your baby. See a doctor promptly for pain after a fall onto the hand, significant swelling, redness and warmth, numbness or tingling in the hand, or a thumb that locks.
See our posts on post-natal back pain and carpal tunnel syndrome, or our elbow and wrist pain guide. Book an assessment at our Berwick clinic. A 60-minute initial consultation is $149, with no referral needed and HICAPS on-site.
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Book an initial consultation at RISE Sports & Spinal in Berwick. Clear diagnosis, hands-on treatment, and a plan that actually gets you better.
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