Nana: Beth I have sewn with the wrist and thumb splints on. It took a little while to get use to but I was able to do it without too much problem. Just keep working with it and you will find a method that works for you. Good luck.
Beth
I have sewn with the wrist and thumb splints on. It took a little while to get use to but I was able to do it without too much problem. Just keep working with it and you will find a method that works for you. Good luck.
Ditto that. Don't expect perfection. Your stitches WILL be larger, but you can do it. I was going to recommend that you wait at least 3-4 days to get used to the braces before you try sewing, but I see you have already done that. The only other advice I have for you is that you Take it slow. The last thing you want to do is make the problem worse. Do not expect to be able to stitch for long stretches at a time. 10 min here and there will be much easier to handle. The splints will change how you hold the needle, so you'll be using different muscles, and it'll take some time to build them up.
Quilters are people who strip so they won't go topless.
I hate to hear that so many have had this problem. So far I am managing ok. The worst is my left hand cause the thumb joint is pretty much bone on bone. I am thankful I am right handed because that hand isn't as bad. I will keep on wearing them until the doctor says I am ok again. Hope it won't be too long. We shall see. Meanwhile I have been able to do bits and pieces on the machine and have gotten closer to being done doing the paper piecing part of my little wall hanging. The rest should go a bit quicker.
from northeast Pennsylvania
http://agardenersart.blogspot.com
Hang in there Beth. You'll get it done.
If it is just for arthritis or tendonitis I have heard great success with coritzone shots. I had a coritzone shot for the thumb tendonitis, I asked doc how people got it too lola hand specialist doc at that and he said no idea it just happens. Funny i am not left handed and that is where the tendonitis was before the shot. I have had people get shots in their joints for arthritis as well and worked good for them also. However if you are carpal. tunnel can't comment on that surgery would be required for that although I have heard good and bad things about that surgery from people who have hadit. Some say it comes back anyway even after surgery if it is CT.
Carey:Some say it comes back anyway even after surgery if it is CT.
I was told by the physio therapist that surgery is really only a band aid solution if you don't change your habits. At the beginning I would only do any particular motion for 15 to 20 minutes on her advise. I got a kitchen timer and quit whatever I was doing when it rang. Slow process to make any progress. I would also say that because CT takes a long time to develop it tales a long time--years--to get to a new normal. For me it has been worth to take the slow road and not have surgery.
I did get a cortisone shot for my arthritic thumb... so far it isn't really working. (I got them years ago for my bad knees and they never worked. But I did finally get new knees for which I am thankful!) I Don't know how long it will take on my thumb.... I am also taking anti inflamatory pills. I just have to be patient I guess. It took a long time to get this way..... My problem now is the wrist part of the splint is rubbing on my skin and irritating it. today I am going to try using Gold Powder which has worked remarkedly for other irritations. But I am taking it slow on my sewing. Everything will take a LOT longer now I am sure.
On weekends when I have to tend to my antique shop I don't get time to do much sewing anyway.
Take a soft sock and cut the toe out. Slip it over the hand then put the splint on and fold the cuff of the sock back over the edge of the splint. This should help some where it is rubbing.
Generally if a cortisone shot is going to help with the pain it will be almost immediate.
Vinton, Virginia
Thanks Nana. I will try that. I wonder what it will be like when the hot weather hits.
I wish I'd known about the sock idea, I used to put a long plaster along the top of my wrist to stop the support rubbing, and then a smaller one after I got used to it. Maybe that might be cooler in warm weather?
I have tendoniitis in both thumbs and I'm not looking forward to when it turns into a real issue. unsually rest will improve them . all these tips and pointers will come in handy.
Alot of the remarks here talk about giving your thumbs or what ever rest! Well how do you do that. Do you stop cooking, cleaning, getting dressed! Every thing I seem to need to do requires I use my thumbs which is or course how I got into this mess. The splints help a bit I suppose and I hope the anti inflamatory works and the cortisone shot. But so far NOTHING is really working. So I just try to be careful. And I do ask for help on some of it. But giving it a full rest... never happen.
Beth,
when I was in the army I got shots in both wrists and thumbs then had doctors orders to do "nothing that involved the thumbs". My sergeant called it the "dead man's profile". I went to work but just sat there. LOL
The shots did not help my hand but I've gotten them in my neck, shoulders, right knee and hips. Can't have too many of them though as they cause damage over time.
Vivian :I'm not looking forward to when it turns into a real issue
There are also a few simple exercises that can be done, anywhere, anytime..I'll see if I can find some info on that for you.
I had to wear wrist splints while I was still working ( 2 yrs ago) But because I was working and had sore arms I didn't do much machine quilting then. Now that I'm retired I have more time to quilt. I use my wrist splints (without the metal plates) to support my wrist while I quilt. I find I can quilt a bit longer and I don't have sore wrist/forearms afterwards.
The key is to not over do anything with your arms. Get treatment and let them heal.....until you quilt again! Hang in there, but first let your wrist heal as much as possible.
Quilter 222:but first let your wrist heal as much as possible.
Fully agree with this advise. I didn't have a needle in my hands for over a year except to test progress of my hands, What quilting work I did was by machine and small projects such as place mats and wall hangings. I did all binding by machine. For the occasional hanging sleeve required I used Steam a Seam 1/4" tape to "stitch" the bottom edge.
Just from where the pains ran I could tell you whether my carpal tunnel needed rest or whether it was the thumb tendon. Then when I worked hard at helping both I inflamed another tendon that I didn't know existed. That was enough for me to become a lady of leisure as much as possible.