Help! - Rapidly deforming hands

rella1965

Hi, I am still quite new to all this RA, and havent had a clinical diagnosis yet from my rheumy. Hopefully in two weeks when I go back he may have made up his mind

Both my hands are getting worse in terms of what they call ulnar drift. My little fingers and the ring fingers are both sticking up and out at peculiar angles now., and on my left hand my index finger seems to be turning around to look at the one next to it. Thumbs both OK.

OT has given me both working and resting splints which definately help with the pain, but it seems that in a matter of 12 weeks since I first had pain and swelling in my hands and feet etc, they are looking a lot different than they used to. I am not even in a flare up at the moment but theyre definately changing it feels like daily.

Husband has started to take weekly photos so we can see how its progressing.

Is this what usually happens - can anyone reassure me here? Help!

plmb48

rella1965 wrote:

Hi, I am still quite new to all this RA, and havent had a clinical diagnosis yet from my rheumy. Hopefully in two weeks when I go back he may have made up his mind

Both my hands are getting worse in terms of what they call ulnar drift. My little fingers and the ring fingers are both sticking up and out at peculiar angles now., and on my left hand my index finger seems to be turning around to look at the one next to it. Thumbs both OK.

OT has given me both working and resting splints which definately help with the pain, but it seems that in a matter of 12 weeks since I first had pain and swelling in my hands and feet etc, they are looking a lot different than they used to. I am not even in a flare up at the moment but theyre definately changing it feels like daily.

Husband has started to take weekly photos so we can see how its progressing.
Is this what usually happens - can anyone reassure me here? Help!

rella 1965 hi my rheumy once told me that RA can be like riding a bike down hill with the breaks off
they put the breaks on when they find the right medication for you sounds like yours is going a bit fast i have very bad hands it was the first thing to go quick on me i have had RA for 28 years now good luck to you .pauline :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

lindalegs

Hi Rella,

Was just wondering if your joints are still swollen - this could be pushing your fingers adrift. It may not be permanent damage yet so use ice packs or heat packs and then gently exercise and move them to help keep your full range of movement and the muscles working.

If they're too painful to use normally when they're in hot water make a fist as tight as you're comfortably able and then relax them and a gentle exercise of touching the tip of each finger onto the tip of your thumb on the same hand can help to keep your range of movement and muscles working.

Hope this helps.

Luv Legs

rella1965

Hi lindalegs

Flare wore off before I got to see the rheumy and although my palms are still puffy and whenever I carry anthing it leaves big marks on my fingers and palms, I dont think joints are swollen anymore. My ultrasound reckons theres no permanent damage yet but that was two weeks ago and they're getting worse daily. Cant close my fingers together anymore and theyre starting to stick up. Will try the exercises though, my splints help with the pain though. Argh.

lindalegs wrote:

Hi Rella,

Was just wondering if your joints are still swollen - this could be pushing your fingers adrift. It may not be permanent damage yet so use ice packs or heat packs and then gently exercise and move them to help keep your full range of movement and the muscles working.

If they're too painful to use normally when they're in hot water make a fist as tight as you're comfortably able and then relax them and a gentle exercise of touching the tip of each finger onto the tip of your thumb on the same hand can help to keep your range of movement and muscles working.

Hope this helps.

Luv Legs

lindalegs

Try not to strain your fingers or hands at the moment. Carry bags on your forearms or use a shoulder bag. Use trays to carry crockery and again you can rest a tray on your forearm and just keep it steady with your other hand - better still if you have a trolley put anything heavy on that. I don't know your age or whether you have children but tidying up toys and other things can be collected in a carrier bag and carried on your forearm. Care of your fingers and hands will pay dividends later but am very glad your scan shows no damage

Luv Legs

PS Even if you can't close your fingers at the mo don't stop trying - movement lost is very difficult if not impossible to regain once lost :shock:

rella1965

Thanks Lindalegs

I am going to try and think now before I pick things up. I know that I am hypermobile and reckon now thats why they seems to be changing rapidly. GP explained theres not as much support from ligaments, etc as they are more elastic and liable to slip. Eek!

lindalegs wrote:

Try not to strain your fingers or hands at the moment. Carry bags on your forearms or use a shoulder bag. Use trays to carry crockery and again you can rest a tray on your forearm and just keep it steady with your other hand - better still if you have a trolley put anything heavy on that. I don't know your age or whether you have children but tidying up toys and other things can be collected in a carrier bag and carried on your forearm. Care of your fingers and hands will pay dividends later but am very glad your scan shows no damage

Luv Legs

PS Even if you can't close your fingers at the mo don't stop trying - movement lost is very difficult if not impossible to regain once lost :shock: