Hand and Wrist Disorders During Pregnancy: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

In my previous article on pregnancy, I wrote about pregnancy symptoms, including the causes of morning sickness. In this article, we will delve into some hand and wrist disorders that pregnant mothers face. Without further ado, let’s get into it.

1.      Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is one of the most common hand and wrist disorders that pregnant mothers face. It is a condition that causes the wrist to swell, making pregnant women experience tingling, numbing, or pain. Research shows that 5 out of 10 women (approximately 50%) develop CTS.

What causes Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

The carpal tunnel contains tendons and nerves that control wrist and finger movements. One of the most prominent nerves that passes through the carpal tunnel nerve is the median nerve.

During pregnancy, the carpal tunnel may swell, creating pressure on the median nerve. The most common causes of swelling in the carpal tunnel are arthritis and repetitive hand movements.

How Does Pregnancy Cause Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

 During pregnancy, the raging hormones can cause fluids to build up within the carpal tunnel, leading to swelling. The syndrome is more prominent during the last trimester, although it might also occur during the first or second trimesters.

What are the Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?

These are the most common symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome:

• Poor hand coordination, including involuntary hand movements during pregnancy.
• Spread of pain or numbness to other body parts.
• Pain, weakness, or tingling feeling within the hand.

These symptoms are most common in the middle finger, the thumb, or the index finger.

How to Relieve Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms

You can seamlessly relieve your wrist of the CTS symptoms by doing the following:

• Wrapping an ice pack on your wrist or running cold water on the wrist.
• Sleeping on the less affected side
• Keeping wrist in a neutral position.
• Elevating your hands as much as possible.
• Avoiding lifting heavy objects.
• Avoiding tasks that involve repetitive hand movements.

Treatments for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

If your CTS pain does not ease after some time, your doctor might recommend occupational therapy or physiotherapy.

Another treatment for CTS is fluid drainage massage, whereby you gently massage the wrist from the fingers to the shoulders. The massage drains any fluid build-up in the carpal tunnel.

The final treatments for CTS are surgery and cortisone injection into the wrist.

Will Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Clear After Delivery?

In most cases, CTS symptoms clear completely after a few hours postpartum. If the pain, tingling, or numbness does not clear after delivery, you should do the following:

• Check how you use your affected hand(s) to feed your baby.
• Reduce straining your wrist(s) when doing routine activities like holding the baby.
• Use a splint.

2.      Trigger Fingers

Trigger fingers are another common hand and wrist syndrome that pregnant mothers face throughout the gestation period.

What Causes Trigger Fingers?

Trigger fingers during pregnancy are caused by swelling around or in tendons that are found in your fingers or the thumb. The swelling can be caused by irritation or swelling, making it hard for them to slide through their sheaths.

What are the Symptoms of Trigger Fingers During Pregnancy?

These are the most common symptoms of trigger finger during pregnancy:

• Stiffness of the fingers in one or both hands.
• Clicking or popping sound when you move the fingers.
• Extreme tenderness and pain in the palm at the base of the affected finger.
• Fingers locking or catching in a bent position before suddenly popping straight.

 How do You Treat Trigger Fingers During Pregnancy?

These are the most common management and treatments for trigger fingers:

1. Anti-inflammatory medication

You can treat trigger fingers by taking prescribed over-the-counter (OTC) nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Naproxen and ibuprofen are the most common drugs that you can take to alleviate the discomfort and pain of trigger fingers.

• Splinting

If trigger fingers give you discomfort, consider wearing splints in your hands to hold the fingers in place and stretch them.

• Rest

Having enough rest as a pregnant woman is the most effective way to treat trigger fingers. Adequate rest allows the tendons to heal better and within the shortest time possible.

• Stretching Exercises

When pregnant, you should stretch your body from time to time. Stretching reduces fluid and pressure build-up, which might cause trigger fingers.

• Surgery

Surgery is considered the final treatment for trigger fingers when the other options fail. The surgeon makes a small incision in the sheath to give space for the affected tendons to move freely through their sheath.

Caution: Unless it is inevitable, avoid surgery since your body is extremely delicate during pregnancy.

3.      De-Quervain’s Tendonitis

De-Quervain’s Tendonitis, commonly known as Tenosynovitis, comes second in the most common hand and wrist disorders condition during pregnancy, although it is more common in new mothers.

What Causes De-Quervain’s Tendonitis in Pregnant Women?

The primary cause of De-Quervain’s Tendonitis in pregnant women is hormonal changes, which cause body fluids to accumulate in the wrists, especially the tendon sheaths.

Nursing mothers are at a higher risk of developing the condition when nursing, changing diapers, and soothing babies.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of De-Quervain’s Tendonitis?

There are the most common symptoms of De-Quervain’s Tendonitis:

• Excruciating pain in the thumb when you stretch or bend it.
• Mild inflammation/swelling in the wrist near the thumb.
• Pain in the wrist near the base of the thumb, causing insomnia.

How to Prevent and Treat De-Quervain’s Tendonitis

These are the best tips and treatment options for De-Quervain’s Tendonitis:

• Minimize straining your wrist during pregnancy such as lifting heavy objects.
• Immobilizing the wrist by putting on a brace or splint covering your thumb and wrist.
• Getting an anti-inflammatory nonsteroidal injection.
• Surgical procedure for extreme cases.

Bottom Line

Pregnancy and nursing come and go, but compromised health haunts you for a long time. If you feel any discomfort or pain in your wrist or hand, seek medical help as soon as possible. Second, if you can, get someone to help you out during pregnancy and postpartum. The tips in this article cannot substitute the magic that getting help during pregnancy gives women.