Carpal tunnel syndrome in nursing mothers: How to relieve pain?

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor II Lai Thi Nguyet Hang - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Ha Long International Hospital.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common problems affecting the hands in nursing mothers. Carpal tunnel syndrome also known as median nerve compression, this condition causes numbness, tingling, or weakness in the hand. It occurs due to pressure on the median nerve, which runs the length of the arm, passing through a passage in the wrist known as the carpal tunnel. This syndrome is common in women after giving birth to a baby. So how to relieve the pain of carpal tunnel syndrome in nursing mothers?

In some cases, postpartum women often feel pain and numbness in their hands and fingers. This phenomenon is called carpal tunnel syndrome. Carpal tunnel syndrome is common when pregnant women enter the third stage of pregnancy and disappears gradually after giving birth. Common symptoms include numbness, tingling, or dull pain in the wrist, pain that radiates down to fingers I, II, III and the outer half of the fourth finger, and then to the liver and fingers. In particular, pregnant women will feel these symptoms may become worse at night, in this case the pain may spread to the biceps and forearms. Difficulty using hand strength.

This syndrome often occurs in people who have a lot of wrist movement jobs, vibrations caused by hand tools, herniated synovial synovitis of the wrist joint, fibromyalgia of the wrist ligaments, etc. This syndrome is also common in polyneuritis caused by diabetic polyneuropathy, chronic alcohol intoxication. It may be aggravated by repetitive movements or excessively bent positions during breastfeeding.
Pain and numbness in the hands often start from the time of pregnancy with the typical manifestation of swelling of the carpal tunnel. Anatomically, the median nerve accompanies the flexor tendons of the fingers in the carpal tunnel. The carpal tunnel is formed by the mucosa that holds the flexor tendon with the surrounding walls of the carpal bones. Because it is located in a fixed structure, the ability to stretch is limited, so when there is an increase in the volume of the flexor tendons due to inflammation or frequently performing excessive wrist flexion postures, it will create a pressure on the flexor tendons. Small blood vessels close to the nerve are responsible for nourishing the tissues in this area, causing hypotrophy. Increased pressure in the carpal tunnel can lead to axonal conduction disturbances and ischemia, especially in the periosteal area of ​​the nerve. Over time, this condition causes clinical symptoms of median nerve damage.

During pregnancy, many tissues and organs in the body are swollen, including the carpal tunnel. Carpal tunnel syndrome in this case is not related to the frequent practice of excessive wrist flexion, but the consequences of them are the same. Pressure from the swollen carpal tunnel causes numbness, tingling, burning, pain in the fingers and often up the arm.
Carpal tunnel syndrome can sometimes appear both during pregnancy as well as after birth. Usually carpal tunnel syndrome clears up on its own within a few weeks or months without treatment. Some cases of carpal tunnel syndrome occur in nursing mothers. In these cases, carpal tunnel syndrome started within one month of birth and resolved completely at least after weaning. In addition, carpal tunnel syndrome has also been found in non-breastfeeding mothers, and the symptoms appear to be much milder than in nursing mothers. This is explained by the repetitive motion of the wrist joints causing them to be excessively flexed while nursing mothers lead to more severe symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. A similar syndrome called de Quervain's tendinitis has been reported in mothers whose babies are between 6 and 12 months old as a result of having to hold the baby every day while the baby's weight is increasing.

Advice for nursing mothers with carpal tunnel syndrome is to pay attention to the relative position of the hands. Mothers can absolutely find ways to hold or hold babies without excessively bending their wrists. Using pillows or blankets while breastfeeding can both allow a mother to hold her baby comfortably and without too much strain on the wrist. In addition, using a sling is also an effective method that should be mentioned.
Feed the baby lying down, continuing to pay attention to the position of the wrist. If carpal tunnel syndrome manifests itself, a specially designed wrist clip should be used to hold the wrist in place while breastfeeding. Some proven effective treatments for carpal tunnel syndrome include:
Rest the wrist, avoiding activities that worsen symptoms. Apply stretching and strengthening exercises combined with wrist massage. Use certain non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen. Use of certain diuretics

Steroid injections (this method is safe for nursing mothers). Take a vitamin B6 supplement Do some yoga and other relaxation exercises Acupuncture Some doctors may recommend treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or topical cortisone injections to help reduce inflammation in the joints. tendons in the carpal tunnel and drugs that increase nerve conduction such as vitamin B, nivalin, nucleo CMP.
In some cases, the above measures are still used but are not effective, medical intervention is required. Doctors will surgically cut off the blood vessel holding the flexor tendon to relieve pressure on the median nerve, to the arm and into the patient's hand. However, prior to the procedure, patients should discuss this with their healthcare provider prior to their six-week postpartum check-up. In addition, it is still possible to consult a doctor if pain and numbness interfere with your sleep or daily routine. In particular, you should not arbitrarily take any pain reliever without consulting your doctor.
The care of children in the postpartum period should also be noted. Mothers should use sleeping pillows, special breastfeeding pillows, folding blankets, etc., so that mothers can keep their babies without excessively bending their wrists for a long time.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is not a rare syndrome in postpartum mothers, even during pregnancy. Although carpal tunnel syndrome is not serious and life-threatening, it can make pregnant women uncomfortable and experience many inconveniences in life. Because of the involvement of nerves and blood vessels, the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome often become more severe if mothers often have to flex their wrists while breastfeeding. The treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome mainly requires pregnant women to rest their wrists, even needing a wrist brace. The drugs to treat the syndrome are mostly anti-inflammatory drugs and drugs that increase neurotransmitters such as vitamin B6, Nivalin....
Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital has implemented surgery for cervical canal syndrome. hand with small incision. In particular, with the guidance and surgery from a team of experienced and qualified medical doctors, who have many years of orthopedic surgery, patients can recover early and minimize complications. during and after surgery. Postpartum mothers who experience carpal tunnel syndrome can go to Vinmec International General Hospital for intensive examination and treatment.
Specialist II Lai Thi Nguyet Hang has more than 30 years of experience in the field of obstetrics and gynecology. The doctor used to teach at Hai Phong Medical College, Hai Phong Medical University and worked at Hai Phong Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital before becoming an Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Vinmec Ha Long International General Hospital.

Reference sources: babycenter.com, kellymom.com