Hand Splints

TinaWr

Hi, I have just been diagnosed with Osteoarthritis in both my hands thumb and wrists. The doctor suggested I buy supports to wear. I have looked online and there are so many I’m not sure what to buy? Any help/advice ? Thanks TinaWr

noddingtonpete

Hello @TinaWr and welcome to the Online Community. We are a friendly and supportive group and I hope that wil be your experience as well.

Have a look through the following hope it might help

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/hand-and-wrist-pain/

There are a few supports available and I have arthritis in my thumbs and was recommended splints (metal splint) but personally found these uncomfortable. I find compression gloves to be more use. Just search the internet for them or this is the link to the ones on our website

https://shop.versusarthritis.org/products/compression-gloves

All I can suggest is try them and see which works for you.

Best wishes

Peter

Trish9556

Hi @TinaWr

I hope your GP referred you to your local MSK team - wearing splints can ease pain (I had a trapeziectomy in 2020) but should not be worn all the time. You need to keep using your affected joints otherwise you will suffer even more.

If you search on my name you will find many posts on thumbs/trapeziectomy/hand therapy which you may find useful and there are some exercises that I was given and have shared on those.

Warmth - keep your affected joints warm - fingerless gloves, hot hands (other brands are available but these are my 'go to' little packs of magic that last for about 12 hours).

Cold and heat therapy work well - plunging your hands in cold and then warm water increases the blood flow and does help. No gadgets needed either.

Therapy balls (egg shaped) and therapy putty are both very good - just squeeze and play with both as a child would with play doh. Comes in different strengths, buy a multiple pack, start with the softest.

Regarding splints, Atesso (other brands are available) are available in on line shops - start by trying one that just wraps your thumb and goes across the hand to the wrist. You shouldn't use a full hand/wrist one unless nothing else works. My hand surgeon will actually remove splints if he doesn't think you need them - as I said previously you need to use your hands. I was a busy PA at the time of my Trapeziectomy and actually found that the days I didn't work, my hands were more painful.

Please feel free to message or tag me if you need any advice.

Trish xx

TinaWr

Thankyou so much for the advice .