Physical therapy for hands/wrists | Arthritis Information

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I started pt for my hands and wrists.  Finally!  I had asked a couple of years ago and was told by RD that it probably would not help.  Must be Dooggie Hauser - my RD --has learned a few things and asked me about pt when I was there the other day.  They got me right in and I have the nicest therapist.  She also has RA so she understands some of the issues.  Came home with splints, putty and exercises to do.  The session was very positive.  every person with RA should have a hand therapistCatnip - I finally asked for my primary for help and saw an OT who specialized in hands and wrists.  She said 98% of her practice was from osteoarthrits, rarely RA - came home with glides, exercises, putty, splints, just like you LOL.  I have been doing this daily for about 10 months now - it has really made a huge difference. 

 
Glad your RD noticed, especially when you read these gushing pharma sponsored websites about how your new rheumatologist is going to doing a thorough exam, get baseline xrays, send you to PT for exercise as its been proven exercise helps, but it has to be done right. 
 
After 18 months I fired my rheumatologist for failing to do these things.  Good luck. 
I think PT is a great tool to help with RA related problems.  MY RD is very hands on and proactive in that area.............Lynn:  I haved already noticed them freeing up a bit.  Funny thing is I asked for this a couple of years ago and was told by the same RA dr. that it would not help.  He is a very young, new dr. so I guess he is getting coached by his associates or he is going to seminars and learning.  I had asked for the splints before too and I was told they would not do any good.  I get so frustrated at asking for something, getting turned down and then later they offer it --like it was there idea!!!!!!!!!  Unfortunately I can't change drs. because most of the specialists have left the area.  The PT was very good at explaining what damage I have and was very positive.   I am glad I am FINALLY doing it.  The mitts sound nice for cold weather!

according to my hand surgeon ulnar drift starts in the wrists..as the wrists break down they pull the fingers and tendons out of alignment.  so please check with your doctor about the entire and and wrist structure

I was never sent to PT for my hands and wrists either and my fingers look like the tower of pizza.  Does anyone have numbness in their lower fingers?  Perhaps it's carpal tunnel?  I have an appt. on the 29th.  I am very concerned about numbness and pain in my hands. carpal tunnel is numbness and tingling in the thumb and first 2 fingers
cubital tunnel is numbness and tingling in the pinkie, ring and prinkie side of middle finger
 
The wrist is the most common site of the compression of the nerve causing carpal (or as my niece spelled it carpool) tunnel: the elbow is the most common site of the compression of the ulner nerve causing cubital tunnel
Can anyone go into a detailed description of exercises for the hands and wrists? I would be very interested! Slo - my OT started off with a warm pariffin wax dip with the heated mittens to warm up my hands and wrists before the exercises. 
 
She then started me off with "glides" to warm up with after the pariffin was taken off.  I would research glides and exercises to see if you can find them. 
 
The putty exercises were 10 pushes between your thumb and each finger, one at a time.  Then 10 times hand squeezing of the putty, then 10 pushes with your thumb in the rolled up putty on your hands.  This was all hand stuff first.
 
Then it was the wrist, holding the putty and your forearm flat on something the wrist could hang over and go up and down 10 times, then turn the hand over and go up and down 10 times, then towards you (the only one that hurts for me) then away from you for 10 turns, then side to side 10 times.
 
After about two weeks she moved me up to 2 lbs weights, plus arm strengthening exercises, only using the weights. 
 
I have since bought from North Coast Medical on my own two different sets of splinting for resting use (like read a book), and night splits that support from the forearm to the fingers, for resistance against the ulnar drift.
 
I have also made one up on my own that I won't share as somebody will turn me into the AMA for practicing medicine without a license :)  Actually, its for my condition alone, you can make up your own LOL.
 
Hope this helps and good luck, its incredibly important - Cathy
justsaynoemore2008-09-21 12:27:40I have the same exercises!  My PT did not use the wax.  Today it was hard to do the one with the fingers in the putty and they you spread out the fingers and return them--they were sore! The putty is called Therapy Putty.  I think there are different types of putty--some easier to use and some harder to you as you get stronger.  I have not anything with weights yet.  I go back tomorrow evening--then I think I can't go until October sometime. 
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