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"Mommy Thumbs" a Common Condition - Wednesday, March 2, 2011

If you are a woman who cares for one or more small children and have noticed that you have pain at the base of one or both thumbs, you could be suffering from what is coming to be known as "mommy thumbs." The condition is technically known as DeQuervain's tendonitis.

When you pick up a child by hooking your hands under his or her arms, some of the weight presses against your thumb, forcing it backward. This can put stress on the tendons connected to the thumb, causing them to become inflamed. Once the tendons begin to swell, they rub against the sheath of tissue containing them at the wrist, which causes pain and further inflammation.

Like many hand conditions, mommy thumbs may start out as a minor irritation but grow worse over time. If caught early, DeQuervain's tendonitis can be treated by a combination of rest, splinting, and anti-inflammatory medication. Later, steroid injections may be necessary. Finally, in some cases, hand surgery is required.

In addition to women who pick up small children, DeQuervain's tendonitis is seen in construction workers who put stress on their thumbs with the hammer, or people who do a lot of typing.