De Quervain's tenosynovitis is not uncommon in new parents - my husband got
it from the way he held our daughter (sort of a "tennis elbow" for the
thumb, since he held her with the thumb slightly hyperextended).  I have
seen several mothers with it, some who were breastfeeding and some who
weren't.  I issue is often positioning while feeding or holding the infant,
but can be due to arm/hand position during sleep.  Splinting is quite
appropriate, but cortisone injections are usually reserved for cases that
don't respond to splinting, ice, and non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs
(ibuprofen in the case of lactating moms).  I ask my patients to wear the
splint and then I work with them on positioning.  Hand surgeons I have
asked have wanted to wait on surgery or injections until after weaning
since hormones can affect ligaments and tendons.  Fortunately, no surgeon
has told someone to wean, but to wear the splint as needed until weaning.
Usually things get better long before weaning.

Julie Graves Moy, M.D., M.P.H.
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P.O. Box 4768
Austin, Texas  78765
512-440-0480
512-441-1666 fax