Newbie today

SueLyn

Hi everybody. I have osteoarthritis in both hands and carpal tunnel in left wrist. My fingers and hands often feel numb and tingling. My left palm and three first left fingers always feel painful. What exercises can I do for my left wrist for the Ct? Are they the same exercises for osteoarthritis? The pain, tingling and numbness is always worse at night and gradually improve once I’ve got up. I wear arthritic gloves at night but not sure that helps. I’ve also worn various splints on left hand for the Ct but not sure it’s really working. Any advice would be helpful. Thank you.

yaz239

Hello @SueLyn and welcome to the community!

Here you'll hopefully be able to find support from other people living with arthritis. The best way to find support is to engage on the forum, if you feel comfortable.

Here's some advice on exercises for your hands.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/exercising-with-arthritis/exercises-for-healthy-joints/exercises-for-the-fingers-hands-and-wrists/

Best wishes, Yas (Mod)

SueLyn

Yas thanks for the exercise video, is this for carpal tunnel as well as oa? How often should they be done a week?

Loggiemod

Hi @SueLyn I think it is as often as you are comfortable with but usually the more often (daily?) the better.

SueLyn

@Loggiemod thanks for answering, can these exercises be used for carpal tunnel as well as oesteoarthritis?

Loggiemod

Hi @SueLyn I don't see why not though I am not medical, so best to seek advice from a GP or physio. Also have you tried a TENS machine, they seem pretty good. I have used one on my hand (OA in hand) and I think it helped a bit.

SueLyn

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/712604#Comment_712604

No I have t used a TENS machine

i will ask GP about the exercises, but I’m sure it’s ok

SueLyn

Im doing hand exercises daily, so hope it will work.

btw can anyone recommend suitable soft putty balls or therapy balls, that I can use for exercising my fingers, due to stiffness and swelling of my OA in knuckles and hands, what brands have you found,thank you

SueLyn

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/712604#Comment_712604

Loggia is, I asked a physio about a Tens Machine and he didn’t think it would really help, but thanks anyway for recommending it

Loggiemod

@SueLyn As regards putty balls etc my wife bought me a stress ball in the shape of a panda (my avatar as well) and I use that. It keeps the hands exercised.

SueLyn

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/713749#Comment_713749

Many thanks, I guess I’ll have to do some research as to which therapy balls are best and where to get them.