Hand pain is common in pregnancy and after delivery, and it is usually treatable without surgery. Fluid retention and hormonal changes in the second and third trimesters can compress the median nerve at the wrist, causing pregnancy-related carpal tunnel syndrome. After delivery, the constant lifting of a newborn can inflame the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist, known as De Quervain's tenosynovitis or "mommy thumb". A finger that catches or locks (trigger finger) can also appear in this period.
Warning signs
- Hand numbness or tingling that wakes you at night during pregnancy
- Thumb-side wrist pain that worsens when you lift the baby
- A finger that catches, clicks or locks
- Pain that interferes with sleep or with caring for your baby
- Numbness or weakness that is constant, or symptoms that persist 8 to 12 weeks after delivery
Treatment
The exam uses simple in-office tests, and ultrasound is preferred over X-rays during pregnancy. Pregnancy-safe care comes first: a wrist splint at night for carpal tunnel symptoms, a thumb splint for De Quervain's, hand therapy, ice, and ergonomic changes for feeding and lifting. Medications are chosen together with your OB. Many pregnancy-related hand problems improve in the months after delivery. An injection or surgery is reserved for severe or persistent symptoms, and when surgery is needed during pregnancy, the OB is involved in the plan.
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Questions patients ask
What is pregnancy and postpartum hand pain?
Hand pain is common in pregnancy and after delivery, and it is usually treatable without surgery. Fluid retention and hormonal changes in the second and third trimesters can compress the median nerve at the wrist, causing pregnancy-related carpal tunnel syndrome. After delivery, the constant lifting of a newborn can inflame the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist, known as De Quervain's tenosynovitis or "mommy thumb". A finger that catches or locks (trigger finger) can also appear in this period.
What are the warning signs of pregnancy and postpartum hand pain?
Hand numbness or tingling that wakes you at night during pregnancy. Thumb-side wrist pain that worsens when you lift the baby. A finger that catches, clicks or locks. Pain that interferes with sleep or with caring for your baby. Numbness or weakness that is constant, or symptoms that persist 8 to 12 weeks after delivery.
How is pregnancy and postpartum hand pain treated?
The exam uses simple in-office tests, and ultrasound is preferred over X-rays during pregnancy. Pregnancy-safe care comes first: a wrist splint at night for carpal tunnel symptoms, a thumb splint for De Quervain's, hand therapy, ice, and ergonomic changes for feeding and lifting. Medications are chosen together with your OB. Many pregnancy-related hand problems improve in the months after delivery. An injection or surgery is reserved for severe or persistent symptoms, and when surgery is needed during pregnancy, the OB is involved in the plan.
Who treats pregnancy and postpartum hand pain near Southlake and Dallas-Fort Worth?
Dr. Pedro Loredo, a board-certified hand surgeon (General Surgery, American Board of Surgery; Hand Surgery, American Board of Plastic Surgery) at Loredo Hand Care Institute, 431 E State Hwy 114, Suite 380, Southlake, TX. New patients are seen within days. Call (972) 939-4974. Se habla español.
En español: ¿Manos dormidas en el embarazo? ¿Dolor del pulgar después del bebé?
El dolor de mano es común en el embarazo y después del parto, y normalmente se trata sin cirugía. La retención de líquidos y los cambios hormonales del segundo y tercer trimestre pueden comprimir el nervio mediano en la muñeca y causar síndrome del túnel carpiano del embarazo. Después del parto, cargar al recién nacido una y otra vez puede inflamar los tendones del lado del pulgar de la muñeca, lo que se conoce como tenosinovitis de De Quervain o "pulgar de mamá". También puede aparecer el dedo en gatillo, un dedo que se traba.
Señales de alerta
- Adormecimiento u hormigueo de la mano que la despierta de noche durante el embarazo
- Dolor de muñeca del lado del pulgar que empeora al cargar al bebé
- Un dedo que se traba, truena o se bloquea
- Dolor que no la deja dormir o cuidar a su bebé
- Adormecimiento o debilidad constantes, o síntomas que siguen 8 a 12 semanas después del parto
Tratamiento
Durante el embarazo se prefiere el ultrasonido a las radiografías. Primero se usa tratamiento seguro para el embarazo: una férula de muñeca de noche para los síntomas de túnel carpiano, una férula de pulgar para De Quervain, terapia de mano, hielo y cambios en la forma de amamantar y cargar. Los medicamentos se eligen junto con su obstetra. Muchos problemas de mano del embarazo mejoran en los meses después del parto. Una inyección o la cirugía se reservan para síntomas severos o persistentes, y cuando la cirugía es necesaria durante el embarazo, el obstetra participa en el plan.
If this sounds like your hand
Call Loredo Hand Care Institute or start your forms online. New patients are seen within days; surgery, when needed, is scheduled at the first available opening. Se habla español.