Joint protection for people with hand arthritis

People with hand arthritis can take steps to make everyday tasks a little easier. Pinching items between the thumb and forefinger puts extra stress on already painful joints.

If you have arthritis, making adjustments and using self-help or assistive devices at home can help protect your joints.

Toothbrushes and small utensils

Try adding a short length of foam tubing over the handles of your toothbrush. Building up the handle eases the pressure on the hand joints. Another option is to use an electric toothbrush instead.

Foam tubing also can be used for small utensils like spoons, forks and knives.

Toothbrush with a foam handle

Getting dressed

To protect your finger joints, avoid tightly pinching with your fingers. For example, use a buttonhook to help you grasp and fasten buttons on your clothes.

Make getting dressed easier by choosing loose-fitting clothes with easy-to-close fasteners, such as zippers or large buttons. Select pants or skirts with a stretch waist. Slip-on shoes and a long-handled shoehorn also can protect your hand joints.

图为帮助扣衣服的装置。

图为帮助扣衣服的装置。

Doorknob levers and turning tools

Squeezing a doorknob can be hard on your finger joints. A lever attachment makes it easier to open the door.

附加在圆形门把上的把手图片。

附加在圆形门把上的把手图片。

A turning tool features a group of collapsible metal pins. These pins mold around objects such as oven knobs and the ends of car or house keys. Using the large handle on the tool helps you avoid the pinching motion required to turn knobs and keys.

针形工具连接房门钥匙的图片。

针形工具连接房门钥匙的图片。

Large-handled tools

Many kitchen tools can now be purchased with larger handles. Texture and cushioning on the handles also can make the utensil easier to hold with less grip strength.

Vegetable peelers, spatulas and serving spoons with bigger handles can ease the pressure on your joints.

带有较大衬垫手柄的蔬菜削皮器的图片。

带有较大衬垫手柄的蔬菜削皮器的图片。

Jar and can openers

Trying to open a jar lid or bottle cap can place stress on your hand joints. There are many different types of opening devices that can help.

Jar openers with larger, cushioned grips ease the stress on your hand joints. Installing a mounted jar opener is another option. For cans, use an electric can opener to avoid the finger strain of turning a hand-held model.

两种开罐装置的图片。

两种开罐装置的图片。

Kitchen knives and cutting boards

Choose a kitchen knife that allows your hand and wrist to stay in a more neutral position. Knives with offset handles and serrated blades take stress off your joints. Using an electric knife can make cutting large items easier.

带有类似于锯状刀柄的厨房用刀的照片。

带有类似于锯状刀柄的厨房用刀的照片。

An adaptive cutting board has nail pegs and a raised ledge to help secure food during meal prep. This can help protect hand joints by lessening the amount of force needed to hold on to food while chopping.

带有挡钉的砧板。

带有挡钉的砧板。

Automatic scissors

With normal scissors, your hand must work to open the scissors as well as close them. If you sew or do other crafts where you often need to cut, buy a spring-loaded pair of scissors.

Spring-loaded scissors open automatically, which lessens joint strain in your fingers and thumb.

自动打开的剪刀图片。

自动打开的剪刀图片。

Pens and pencils

Use a large-barrel pen or pencil to make writing more comfortable. Install rubber grips over narrow pens and pencils to reduce stress on finger and thumb joints.

Some pens are designed to be worn on a finger. Others are shaped like a Y so your forefinger can rest on top of the pen.

照片显示了用来减轻手指和拇指关节压力的各种钢笔设计。

照片显示了用来减轻手指和拇指关节压力的各种钢笔设计。

Holding a book

Use your palms to hold an object when you can, such as when reading a book or magazine. This helps you avoid bending the large knuckles of your hand while keeping your finger joints straight.

You also may try placing reading materials flat on a table, or on a bookholder or pillow. This helps you stay away from grasping the items with your hands. Another option is using an electronic tablet or mobile device for reading when you have arthritis.

Correct way to hold a book

Shoulder straps

Large joints are stronger than small ones. Use your large joints as much as possible when carrying items.

When carrying a bag, use a shoulder strap that crosses your body. This is better for your joints than carrying the entire weight of a heavy briefcase or purse in your fingers.

一位女士使用肩带斜挎着一个大包的图片。

一位女士使用肩带斜挎着一个大包的图片。

Aug. 25, 2023 了解更多深度信息

也可查阅

  1. 银屑病互助组适合您的 5 个迹象
  2. 6 种缓解银屑病皮肤瘙痒的方法
  3. 关节炎
  4. 关节炎疼痛:注意事项
  5. 关节炎康复
  6. 关节镜检查
  7. 骨髓穿刺浓缩注射液
  8. 布鲁氏菌病
  9. 银屑病是否会让人难以入睡?
  10. 慢性疼痛:药物治疗决策
  11. 克罗恩病危象
  12. 克罗恩病
  13. 克罗恩病与肠道微生物群系
  14. 妙佑医疗国际专家解释什么是克罗恩病
  15. 克罗恩病与结肠炎
  16. CT 扫描
  17. 缓解压力可以减少银屑病发作
  18. 运动和慢性疾病
  19. 在有关节炎时的锻炼情况
  20. 麸质敏感与银屑病:有什么联系?
  21. 关节炎患者的手部运动
  22. 过敏性紫癜
  23. 椎间盘突出常见问题解答
  24. 炎性肠病(IBD)
  25. 炎性肠病的常见问题解答
  26. 间歇性禁食
  27. 地中海饮食对银屑病有好处吗?
  28. 有没有针对克罗恩病的特殊饮食?
  29. 等长运动
  30. 关节疼痛
  31. 关节置换
  32. Living better with Crohn's disease
  33. Living better with psoriasis
  34. 在患有克罗恩病的情况下保持社交生活
  35. 银屑病相关健康风险
  36. 磁共振成像
  37. 佩吉特骨病
  38. 泼尼松风险、益处
  39. 泼尼松戒断:为什么要逐渐减量?
  40. 银屑病患者的怀孕和母乳喂养
  41. 银屑病
  42. 银屑病和临床试验
  43. 银屑病与亲密关系
  44. 银屑病和自尊心
  45. 确定哪些情况会使银屑病恶化
  46. 银屑病:获得最佳疗效
  47. 银屑病:锻炼时如何保护皮肤?
  48. 银屑病治疗方案
  49. 银屑病:如果我也得了银屑病关节炎怎么办?
  50. 银屑病:应告知医生的信息
  51. 头皮银屑病与脂溢性皮炎
  52. 借助 MRI 查看心脏内部情况
  53. 幻灯片:在假期中应对银屑病的 5 种办法
  54. 幻灯片:患银屑病时如何护理皮肤
  55. 银屑病类型
  56. 即使患有克罗恩病也要坚持运动
  57. 手杖小窍门
  58. 助行器小窍门
  59. 帮助克罗恩病患者缓解压力的小技巧
  60. 超声波检查
  61. 血管炎
  62. MRI
  63. 太极拳
  64. 银屑病替代治疗方法
  65. What are the risks of vaccinations for people living with psoriasis?
  66. 控制头皮银屑病的最佳方法是什么?
  67. 哪里可以了解更多关于应对克罗恩病的信息?
  68. X 线