Kaley Cuoco Got Carpal Tunnel From Holding Her Baby — Could It Happen to You?
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You’ve probably heard of getting carpal tunnel syndrome from writing, typing, or even driving for long periods of time, but did you know it’s possible to develop it from holding a baby? Yep, postpartum carpal tunnel syndrome is a thing, as actress and new mom Kaley Cuoco experienced for herself last month. But how does it happen, and what can you do about it? Those are big questions, especially for a new parent who doesn’t always get to decide when their newborn wants to be held, or for how long.
Cuoco gave birth to her daughter, Matilda, back in April, which means she’s a little over five months old now. As Cuoco revealed via her trainer Ryan Sorenson’s Instagram last month, she developed carpal tunnel syndrome from holding Matilda, which is “a very real thing,” Cuoco said in the video. “Google it.”
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And she’s right, says Luke Nicholson, MD, orthopaedic surgeon with Keck Medicine of USC. “It’s a very common condition and certainly very common during pregnancy,” he tells SheKnows.
Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the metacarpal nerve in your wrist becomes compressed, typically due to prolonged wrist flexion. It causes symptoms like numbness, tingling in the hands, and pain, Dr. Nicholson says, with symptoms sometimes waking you up at night.
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And yes, holding a baby for long periods of time can definitely cause carpal tunnel syndrome, Dr. Nicholson says. That’s called postpartum carpal tunnel syndrome, which is “believed to be due to the posture of the wrist in a flexed position while you’re holding a child or breastfeeding a child,” he explains.
There’s also gestational carpal tunnel syndrome, which occurs during pregnancy. It’s due to changes in hormones and fluid volumes that occur during pregnancy, Dr. Nicholson explains, which can cause swelling in your wrists that may lead to carpal tunnel.
The good news? Most patients with pregnancy-related carpal tunnel syndrome will see symptoms resolve on their own, Dr. Nicholson says. If you’re experiencing gestational carpal tunnel, symptoms will often go away after you give birth; if it’s postpartum carpal tunnel, they’ll typically fade when your baby doesn’t need to be held quite so much.
If you are experiencing one of these forms of carpal tunnel syndrome, Dr. Nicholson recommends talking to a doctor — you can even start by talking to your ob-gyn, he says. Treatment-wise, pregnancy-related carpal tunnel patients usually start with wrist braces, which you’ll typically wear at nighttime to keep your wrists straight and the pressure off of your nerves.
Your doctor may also recommend you get a cortisone shot to reduce swelling. These shots are often offered to pregnancy-related carpal tunnel patients in particular, Dr. Nicholson says, as a way to get you through a period of symptoms that’s typically temporary. It’s also because open carpal tunnel release surgery — another treatment option — isn’t usually an ideal option for a new parent who needs to be able to use their hands.
If you can find a way to hold your baby that involves keeping your wrists straight (instead of flexing them), that may help alleviate your symptoms as well.
The bottom line? It’s possible to develop carpal tunnel syndrome both while you’re pregnant and after you give birth, but the symptoms will often clear up over time. If they don’t, talk to your doctor about trying wrist braces or a cortisone injection to ease your symptoms. After all, you have a baby to take care of — you’re going to want the full, pain-free use of your hands.
Before you go, read about these celebrities who are erasing stigma by speaking out about their health:
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