In our consultation room in Luen Wo Hui, Fanling, we often hear new mothers and office workers say: "When I wring a towel, lift a pot or pick up my baby, the thumb side of my wrist hurts like a needle prick." This kind of pain is often linked to "mummy wrist", known medically as De Quervain's tenosynovitis.
This article explains what mummy wrist is, its common symptoms, how it broadly differs from other wrist pain, which situations need extra care, how a clinic can usually help, and when to see a doctor. It is health education and cannot replace an in-person consultation with a registered clinician. We do not promise it will "get better in one session" or guarantee it will not come back.
What Is Mummy Wrist?
The two tendons that spread and straighten the thumb (abductor pollicis longus and extensor pollicis brevis) pass through a narrow "tunnel" (the tendon sheath) on the thumb side of the wrist. When the thumb and wrist are used forcefully and repeatedly over a long time, the tendons rub against the sheath, which can become inflamed and thickened. The tunnel narrows further, and moving the thumb becomes painful.
Despite the name, it does not only affect mothers. It is more common after childbirth and while breastfeeding, possibly because of frequently supporting the baby's head, the way the baby is carried and hormonal changes. People who often use phones or a mouse, or grip tools (such as chefs, hairdressers and cleaners), are also more likely to get it.
Common Symptoms
Everyone is different, but these are the most common complaints:
- Thumb-side wrist pain: the sore spot is on the thumb side of the wrist, sometimes spreading into the forearm or thumb.
- Sharp pain with effort: especially when wringing a towel, lifting a pot, carrying your baby, opening a jar or making a fist.
- Local swelling: there may be slight swelling or tenderness on the thumb side of the wrist.
- A catching or "gritty" feeling when moving the thumb: some people feel the thumb does not move smoothly.
A simple check: the fist-and-bend movement
Tuck your thumb into your palm, wrap your fingers around it to make a fist, then gently bend your wrist towards your little finger. A clear sharp pain on the thumb side of the wrist may be linked to mummy wrist (this is often called the Finkelstein test). This movement is only a guide; do not force it. Even people without the condition may feel a slight pulling, and the result should be judged by a professional.
*Note: the above is not a self-diagnosis tool.
How Does It Differ From Other Wrist Pain? (Rough Guide)
Below is only a rough guide to common patterns and cannot be used for self-diagnosis:
- Arthritis at the base of the thumb: the pain is closer to the joint at the base of the thumb; more common from middle age, and painful when pinching or twisting jar lids.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome: mainly numbness in the thumb, index and middle fingers, worse at night or on waking, without necessarily any sharp pain on the thumb side.
- Scaphoid fracture: thumb-side wrist pain and swelling after falling onto your hand; even if you can move it, an X-ray is needed to rule it out.
- Mummy wrist: thumb-side wrist pain clearly linked to using the thumb forcefully and bending the wrist sideways.
When to Be Extra Careful
In the following situations, seek medical help promptly or go to A&E as appropriate rather than managing it yourself:
- Wrist pain, swelling or deformity after falling onto your hand or a knock.
- A red, swollen, hot and painful wrist, or one with fever (infection needs ruling out).
- Persistent numbness or weakness in the fingers, often dropping things.
- Pain that keeps getting worse, wakes you at night, or shows no improvement at all after several weeks of rest.
Take extra care: no hard massage during the inflamed phase
The core problem in mummy wrist is inflammation and swelling of the tendons and tendon sheath. Hard rubbing during the inflamed phase can increase friction and make swelling and pain worse. Be assessed by a professional before treatment, then decide on a suitable technique and pressure.
How It Is Usually Managed / What Clinics Commonly Do
At Ever-Health (Luen Wo Hui, Fanling), we first look at how you use your hands day to day (carrying a baby, phone use, work movements), how long it has hurt and whether there was an injury. A physical examination then helps us tell mummy wrist apart from other wrist problems. If needed, we will recommend further tests or a referral to a doctor. Below is the step-by-step approach commonly used at the clinic (results vary from person to person and are not guaranteed):
1. Cut back on triggering movements and rest appropriately
First identify the movements that make the pain worse and adjust them. Use a thumb splint (a thumb immobilising brace) if needed, giving the inflamed tendons time to rest.
2. Physiotherapy support (depending on the individual)
A registered physiotherapist may use gentle manual therapy, kinesiology tape, gradual stretching and strengthening and, depending on the assessment, suitable equipment to help ease symptoms. The choice and intensity of equipment depend on the assessment and do not suit everyone.
3. Chinese medicine and acupuncture (depending on the individual)
Chinese medicine usually classes mummy wrist as a "tendon obstruction" or "tendon injury", linked to local strain and stagnation of qi and blood; after childbirth there may also be qi and blood deficiency. A registered Chinese medicine practitioner may choose points according to the pattern (commonly used points include Lieque LU7, Yangxi LI5 and Hegu LI4) and, where needed, prescribe Chinese herbs. If you are breastfeeding, please say so before any medicine is prescribed.
4. When a referral is needed
If a period of conservative care does not help, other options may be considered, such as assessment by a registered Western-medicine doctor for an injection; a small number of persistent, severe cases may need a surgical assessment.
5. Sensible things you can do day to day
- When carrying your baby, support them with your forearms and palms rather than relying on your thumbs and wrists.
- Hold your phone with both hands or rest it on a table; keep your wrist straight when using a mouse.
- For wringing towels, opening jars and similar tasks, use a tool or ask for help where possible.
- After using your hands for a while, take a break and gently move your fingers and wrists.
When to See a Doctor
If wrist pain has not improved after one to two weeks, is affecting caring for your baby or work, or you have any of the warning signs above, arrange a professional assessment promptly. If you live in Luen Wo Hui, Fanling, Sheung Shui or elsewhere in the North District, you can call or WhatsApp us to book.
Remember: dealing with it early is usually better than putting up with the pain, but the key is to find the cause first and then choose the right approach for you. Individual cases should be judged at an in-person consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do only new mothers get mummy wrist?
No. It is more common after childbirth and while breastfeeding, but anyone who often uses a phone or mouse, or grips tools for long periods, can develop it.
Can I massage mummy wrist hard to loosen it?
This is not recommended. Hard rubbing during the inflamed phase can increase friction on the tendons and make swelling and pain worse. Be assessed by a professional first, then decide on a suitable technique and pressure.
Does a wrist splint help?
A thumb splint limits movement of the thumb and wrist and lets the inflamed tendons rest, which helps some people. How to wear it and for how long should follow professional advice.
If my wrist hurts after a fall, is it mummy wrist too?
Not necessarily. Thumb-side wrist pain and swelling after falling onto your hand needs a fracture (such as a scaphoid fracture) ruled out, so see a doctor for an X-ray promptly.
Don't put up with wrist pain: find the cause first
If thumb-side wrist pain is affecting caring for your baby or your work, visit Ever-Health in Luen Wo Hui, Fanling. Our team will carry out a detailed assessment first, then discuss whether physiotherapy, acupuncture or a referral is suitable. This article is for reference only; individual cases should be judged at an in-person consultation.