Hand and wrist pain and its related factors in postpartum women

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of hand and wrist pain, the onset of symptoms, affected areas, and related factors in postpartum women.

Methods

Eight hundred and seventy-six postpartum women, within a year after giving birth, agreed to complete anonymous questionnaires. We analyzed 514 valid questionnaires (response rate, 58.7%) returned from mothers in the 1st to 8th month postpartum.

Results

Of the 514 participants, 181 (35.2%) reported having experienced hand and wrist pain. The onset of symptoms varied widely from pregnancy to the 7th month postpartum. There was an increase in the onset of symptoms at the 1st month postpartum. Participants reported bilateral pain. There was a slight difference in pain incidence between the left and right sides. Affected areas were the radial styloid process, radiocarpal joint, ulnar styloid process, thumb metacarpophalangeal joint, and carpometacarpal joint, in ascending order. Older age at delivery, primiparity, and previous history of hand and wrist pain were significantly related to postpartum hand and wrist pain. Hand and wrist pain was not significantly correlated with breastfeeding, resumption of menstruation after delivery, and the use of mobile devices.

Conclusions

One-third of postpartum women had hand and wrist pain for 8 months after delivery, which commenced in the 1st and 2nd month postpartum. Regarding postpartum hand and wrist pain, we need to pay attention to women with older age, primiparity, and previous history of hand and wrist pain.