Taking a step back

[TAIrving]

Went to see the doc about pain in my hands.  It was getting painful to do many things, like twisting a doorknob, squeezing the toothpaste tube, etc.  It is arthritis in my thumbs.  Treatment includes stepping back from many activities for a while, until the pain settles down.  So, no golf, no bowl turning on the lathe, take it easy on yard work, etc.  I did not ask, and he did not say anything about scrolling.  So maybe I will do some catching up on scrolling projects. 

Getting old is not for sissies.  

[meflick]

Sorry to hear of your issues.  Listen to the Dr and give your hands some time for the inflammation to abate. Scrolling may not be good for you either, so pay attention and don't do if your hands hurt even a little.  You don't want to not been able to do work later.  Even when you do get back, you probably need to do in short timeframes and then take a break. If it's arthritis, you will need to learn to manage it rather than expect it to go fully away I'm afraid. Best wishes.

[Bill WIlson]

Not to put doubt on your doctor's diagnosis, but you specifically mentioned your thumbs.  Does the pain extend from your thumbs toward your wrist?  

I had a condition called de quervain's tenosynovitis.  Certain motions, like you describe, were extremely painful.  I had surgery to correct it in my left wrist and 10 years later had the surgery in my right wrist, when it developed the same condition.  Most people have never heard of it, but it isn't all that uncommon.  I think a lot of people just live with it and take OTC pain meds and don't realize that it can be treated, even cured.  It's somewhat similar to carpal tunnel, just different tendons, in a different location in your hand/wrist.

There is a simple test you can do yourself to determine if it is de quervain's.  It's called the Finkelstein test.  Just google it and there are instructions on-line to show you how it's done.  If that test indicates de quervain's, then you will likely want to see a hand specialist.  

Both of my thumbs/wrists have recovered well after the surgeries.  I do believe I am developing some arthritis in my thumbs now, but it is mild and doesn't really impede me much...yet.

 

Edited May 5, 2022 by Bill WIlson

[dvdneal]

Take care of yourself.  My uncle had arthritis in the hands to the point he could barely hold his beer.  

[barb.j.enders]

Take care

 

[TAIrving]

Thank you all for your concerns and kind wishes.  And thank you Bill for the information about de quervain's tenosynovitis, I had not previously heard of that.

The doc I saw about this is a hand specialist and his tests confirmed that my problem is arthritis.  

As a friend once told me, there are 2 types of people, those who have arthritis and those who do not have it yet.  

[Sycamore67]

I understand having hand arthritis issues and unfortunately it will not go away.  You will have good times and bad times.  I had to have wrist surgery due to damage from arthritis.  Here are some things I have learned--

• Hard gripping of work pieces can cause issues. Try different ways or attach some wood pieces to your work to make it easier to hold.
• The height of your scroll saw and angle of your hands can make a difference.  Experiment to find what works.
• When I am having issues, cold packs help.  Others like heat.
• I use Voltaten gel when having problems.  It is an over the counter anti-inflammatory.  It really helps me.

Good Luck

[TAIrving]

23 hours ago, Sycamore67 said:

I understand having hand arthritis issues and unfortunately it will not go away.  You will have good times and bad times.  I had to have wrist surgery due to damage from arthritis.  Here are some things I have learned--

• Hard gripping of work pieces can cause issues. Try different ways or attach some wood pieces to your work to make it easier to hold.
• The height of your scroll saw and angle of your hands can make a difference.  Experiment to find what works.
• When I am having issues, cold packs help.  Others like heat.
• I use Voltaten gel when having problems.  It is an over the counter anti-inflammatory.  It really helps me.

Good Luck

Thanks Larry.  Good tips and I will try those.

Voltaren gel is good stuff and I use it every day.  I get a generic version of it (diclofenac sodium) at my warehouse club.