Wrist Weakness | Arthritis Information
Hi all,
Hope everyone had a good Christmas. I have not been here much lately due to work and family stuff. Just wondered if anyone can point me to some exercises that might improve wrist strength. Mine has really diminished and I am having difficulty with simple tasks. Can't believe my drs have never given me any pointers on how to minimize damage/problems such as this.
Laker
I use these things called the gripmaster. You've probably seen them if you've ever gone to PT before. They fit in the palm of your hand and work all your fingers separately. They also come with instructions on other exercises that can be used for the wrist. I have all of them up to 11 pounds per finger and believe that using them has helped me fight off the hand and finger deformity that comes along with RA. Even if you don't go all out, the extra light tension model (think it's the yellow one) is GREAT for keeping the fingers from getting stiff. I also keep one in my car in medium tension for "anti-road rage." Get stressed out, just start squeezing.
Here's a link if you want to have a look:
My doc actually told me that PT wasn't a good idea during a flare. I've never, ever been told this by another doctor in the 23 years I've had JRA. In fact, I was forced to go to PT several times a week when I was younger instead of taking a regular PE class in school
Good luck
Bob
Hi Laker, after I had wrist surgery for removal of synovitis and carpal tunnel release, they told me to squeeze putty or a squeeze ball, I wasn't to overdo it but it had to be done 2 or 3 x a day, along with other exercises. You can ask your public hospital or even go online to an orthopaedic website and download some exercises for your specific problem, best of luck from Janie.
Lakre before proceeding on your own get a script to hand therapy so you can get exercises that are appropriate for you. For example the gripmaster Bob described is not appropruate for someone who has tendon damage..they would be better off using theraputty.Thank you. Now I have an idea what some of my options are. I think I will ask my dr to prescribe pt when I go in Feb. I think I should have done something long ago. I need 2 hands now to pick up even a small pan.
Laker
True. I should have mentioned that in my post. Those aren't good for someone with tendon damage. Totally slipped my mind but then again what doesn't these days?
Bob
I wonder if splinting your hand just during activities, like putting the dishes away....or getting dressed, would assist in helping with the weakness. the putty thing sounds like it would help. I had a squeeze ball attatched to my sling when I had my shoulder surgery to help exercise the hands. Hope you get some answers
Lisa
I use a very soft foam ball from a childs tennis set, its been so good for my hands, also i put my hands into warm water and do exercises like bending and straightning my fingers and swivelling my wrists gently, its helped a lotwhen my wrists were inflamed i wore wrist braces or splints all the time even to sleep. the littlest bending caused great pain. they really helped me be able to do everyday activities. i was given no exercises at the time so i cannot help you there but if they are hurting real bad exercising them right now may not be wise.?. i do not know.... wonderwoman The splints would be great for the pain, but I would not want her to become dependent on them if she could re-build her strength in her wrist. they maybe able to assit until she rebuilds strength.
Maybe if she calls her doc and asks for some specific help. I think she should report the weakness to her physcian especially if it is getting more troublesome. ....I don't know either WW....but many heads are better than one!
oh i agree. my wrists were all red and inflamed. now i can no longer bend either wrist at all but the pain is not so severe anymore. they just do not work like they should. so for pain and stability the splints helped me. w.w.
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