Mayo Clinic has a really good article about
protecting your joints. My hand therapist told me the same things when I went to her. There are a number of principles for protecting your hand joints, and the article lists them. One of the big ones is to use the strongest joint available for a job. And example of this is not holding a coffee cup by the handle - hold the cup directly. This protects those PIPs and MCPs! Don't hold your purse by a handle with your fingers - use a purse with a longer strap and hold it on your forearm or shoulder. When I go to the pool, I use "string bags" to hold all my swim stuff. I used to hold them by the handles in one hand. Now I hold them one on each forearm, and divide the weight that way. I'm also considering getting a wheeled cart to use, but it has a handle that requires being held by my hand. I'm still thinking about that.
My thoughtful DH was concerned because I couldn't pour the coffee using the Mr. Coffee carafe - it was too heavy on my fingers and it hurt! He invested in a new coffee maker that is, I think, **perfect** for someone with arthritis in the hands. It's one that has a dispenser. I just put a cup under it and press a little tab with the side of my hand! the tall to-go cups don't fit, so I use a large coffee creamer to dispense the coffee into, and pick it up not using the handle. Morning coffee has become so much easier and less painful to make! I don't think I can mention a brand name here on the forum, but those who are interested can PM me and I'll be glad to give you the information about it!
Another thing, we are going to replace all the bathtub/shower and basin handles with ones I can push with my wrist or turn around with the side of my hand. This will help a great deal, too.
The idea of using the strongest joint possible was new to me, although I had already instinctively begun to do some adaptations that used that principle. Having that "written down" on my list of things to do by my hand therapist has made a big difference to me already! As the disease progresses, I'm sure I'll come up with other examples from my life.
Have any of you done things or made adaptations to protect smaller joints (like the MCPs, PIPs and DIPS)? Tell us here!
Cheerio!
Elizabeth
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