Newly diagnosed osteoarthritis

Sarie

Hi all,

I was diagnosed with arthritis in my hands yesterday which has knocked me for six!

I have been expecting it since a teen in my knees after several major ops due to hyper mobility, knew shoulders were going too but hands I was not expecting.

I am a long term user of crutches as my ops as a teen triggered crps in both legs, my main question is are there any others that use crutches with hand problems, any advice to help keep hands mobile? Without my hands I cant even get out of a chair…

I am good at adapting as I have done it for 30 years with the crps but this has my mind boggled.

thank you

Poppyjane

Hello @Sarie welcome to the online community

You have been dealing with crps for a number of years and have now been diagnosed with arthritis in your hands which has knocked you for six. As a long term user of crutches you are very concerned about the impact this will have on your mobility and life style.

Some of our members have problems with their hands and some are long and short term users of crutches so I am sure there will be tips posted for you, meanwhile I attach some links which you might find helpful.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/complex-regional-pain-syndrome-crps/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/osteoarthritis-of-the-hand-and-wrist/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/who-will-treat-you/hand-therapists/

Have you considered asking your GP for a referral to a hand therapist, physiotherapist and/or an occupational therapist ? All of these specialists should be able to provide you with some guidance to support your condition. Meanwhile our members will be able to provide you with their own experiences of dealing with joint pain for instance using heat/cool pads for relief of pain.

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Poppyjane

Sarie

thank you,

I am seeing a physio in a couple of weeks, for pain I am hoping to be able to apply the same techniques that I currently use, my biggest concern is causing damage to my hands as I rely on them so much and thought who better to ask than those in the same boat.

stickywicket

Hi and apologies as I'm in a rush.

Have you t ried elbow crutches, a gutter frame or a rollator. I use the latter even indoors now. Mine has ergonomic handles. My very arthritic hands still can't grip them but i can place them on the handles to guide it very well.

Sarie

Thank you stickywicket I will have a look at those