Authored by Beth Warkentien, MS, OTR, Occupational Therapist, ATI Physical Therapy, Merrillville (84th Drive), IN
Don’t let an arthritic thumb keep you from exercising your green thumb this season. Gripping gardening tools can be painful due to arthritis.
In osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of arthritis, the cartilage layer that normally covers the end of bones and serves as a shock absorber to allow for smooth pain-free movement breaks down, causing direct contact between the bones.
The base of the thumb is one of the most common joints in the hand affected by OA. The thumb basal joint, also called the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint, is a specialized saddle-shaped joint that is formed by a small bone of the wrist (trapezium) and the first bone of the thumb (metacarpal). This joint allows the thumb to move in a variety of motions and to pinch. OA is characterized by stiffness, pain, and a loss of mobility at this joint.
With a few simple modifications, people with OA do not have to give up gardening. An occupational therapist can advise you about special aids or adaptive tools or splints that can be used to protect your joints while you garden. It is also important not to overuse or strain the joints or muscles while gardening. Below are a few key points to decrease the amount of stress applied to the arthritic thumb.
- Preheat your hands: This can be done with a warm shower, heat pack or paraffin unit. Warm joints move more smoothly than cold ones.
- Use your larger joints to do the work: Instead of using your fingers to lift an object, try using the palm of your hand, forearms, or elbows when lifting empty planters, plants, gardening tools or bags of soil.
- Take frequent breaks: Change position and tasks often.
- Keep your tools sharp: Sharp tools take less pressure to use. There are also many ergonomically designed garden tools made for arthritic hands.
- Avoid pinching, squeezing, or twisting motions: Avoid activities or tools that put direct pressure on your fingers or thumbs.
- Widen tool handles: This can be done by using foam tubing or grip tape to make them easier to grasp
- Use a wheelbarrow or cart: to haul tools and supplies around the garden.
- Nearby water source: Make sure the garden has a nearby water source so that hoses and watering cans don’t have to be carried far. If not, try using mulch in the garden to reduce the need to water.
Resources
You can learn more about arthritis; how to manage it; and gardening with arthritis from the following resources:
- The Arthritis Foundation at 800-383-6843 or visit www.arthritis.org.
April is Occupational Therapy Month. Occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants help people across the lifespan participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities. Occupational therapy practitioners have a holistic perspective, in which the focus is on adapting the environment to fit the person, and the person is an integral part of the therapy team.
Read more about Occupational Therapy Month:
“Myths and Truths about Hand Therapy”
“ATI Physical Therapy Celebrates Occupational Therapy Month”
Many of ATI’s hand therapists are occupational therapists. Visit our Hand Therapy page for more information and to find a hand therapist near you.