hi and advice

kag214

Hi, I have had confirmed that I now have OA in both hands and Carpal Tunnel in both.

I have been trying to get back into Knitting and Crochet for a while but had to stop as hands went numb.

I have a splint for my right hand but it is big on me, I am due to have injections next month, have these worked and is there a smaller splint I could buy or request that I could use.

If not, i will have to have a clear out. thanks🤒

CarylW

Hello @kag214

I think many people on here, myself included, can empathise with the desire to get back to knitting and crochet when you have OA. This information on OA of the hands, which contains something on splints may help and I am sure you will get some response from others on how far injections can help.

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

Do keep in touch and let us know how you are getting on.

Best wishes

Caryl

frogmorton

Lots of us still knit and crochet don't let this stop you although you may have to do a bit less.

Have you seen these for instance?

Someone was recommending some neoprene gloves the other day here....

it's at the end of this thread:

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/58301/thumb-pain

Take care

Toni

stickywicket

I think splints are a pretty individual thing and you should check with a physio as to what's right for you.

There's no doubt we have to give up favourite activities with arthritis (and don't be fooled by the steroid jabs! They're temporary when they work) but, with care, we can do things as @frogmorton has sensibly suggested. I'd add that there are other 'facilitating things' too.

Here's another idea. I use them on cutlery and, sometimes, biros https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B089GXP6BG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (Other stores are widely available!) I would definitely recommend, though, that, if you are going to do anything that you know is not good for your hands -such as keeping them in one position for any length of time (yes, crochet and knitting) - do also do some hand exercises to stretch them in the opposite direction as regularly as possible but definitely when you stop a session. That will, hopefully, enable you to keep on with your favourite activity for more years.Good luck.

Trish9556

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/60393/hi-and-advice

Hi @kag214

I have had problems with hands and wrists for a few years and had a trapeziectomy on my left thumb back in 2020. The splints I purchased, which I found really comfortable and which enabled me to carry on working as a PA at the time. If you go on to an online selling site (I like the one that is named after a strong woman and river in South America, and search for thumb splints they should come up. They're held around your wrist with velcro and go up to support your thumb without the heavy and overlarge ones that wrap around your hand and wrist, and usually halfway up your arm. Not only did these help me keep working and bashing away at the keyboard, they also gave me the flexibility to knit and crochet, albeit slowly.

With your injections, I would recommend you having guided injections rather than guess work. The first one I had in my thumb was put in using a hope and a prayer that it was in the right place. The resulting pain was horrendous and led to me passing out within an hour of getting home. My surgeon subsequently made sure that all subsequent injections were guided with the help of a ultrasound scan.

Give me a shout if you need any further advice or help :)

Love n hugs

trish xx