Mummy Wrist (De Quervain's Tendonitis): Lifting, Nursing, and Smart Rehab
The thumb-side of new parenthood
Repetitive lifting, awkward wrist and thumb postures, hormonal fluid shifts, and the sheer volume of new tasks create a small-compartment overuse picture in the abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis tendons at the first dorsal compartment — what people call De Quervain’s or mummy wrist.
What we do
Clarify the pattern, use splinting and load limits short-term, then reintroduce progressive thumb and wrist loading, forearm, and scapular support so the whole chain tolerates the real job — caring for a baby, not a spreadsheet.
Neck and upper back in the same chapter
Posture while feeding, a tight upper trap pattern, and carpal-tunnel–like night tingling are common companions — our tech neck and hand articles cross-link when the whole system is on fire. For carpal-tunnel specific patterns, also see the carpal tunnel guide on the blog.
Book a new-parent hand appointment
You don’t need permission to be sore — you need a plan. Book with Evolve Physio & Mastery, Cabramatta for the wrist and, if you need, contact us to ask about bringing baby for feeding-position coaching.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this de Quervain’s?
A cluster of Finkelstein’s testing, local tenderness, and a story of loaded thumb and wrist ulnar abduction in new parents (not exclusive to women) is classic, but the wrist has other tendons; we check those too.
Can I still pick up my baby?
We change how you’re picking up, carrying the capsule, and opening jars — the baby stays; the hand positions and shared load strategy change.
Splint: yes or no?
Many people benefit from a thumb-spica or appropriate brace in the short term to let the first dorsal extensor compartment calm while we strengthen surrounding tissue.
I’m breastfeeding and don’t want medication — what then?
A lot of care is non-pharmacological: splint, load, technique, taping, and a gradual strengthening arc. We respect GP advice on anything systemic.
Is an injection the next step if physio does not work?
Sometimes, under a doctor — corticosteroid injection in the right sheath is not wrong for a stubborn, confirmed case, but the rehab still needs to change the loads that provoked the issue.
