wrist worries

[jwgh]

I've noticed that my right wrist has been a little sore for the past couple of weeks. It is mostly noticeable in situations where it is particularly extended, such as when I'm playing a wide piano chord with that hand.

I read a little on the web about RSI and I think maybe it isn't that, but maybe it is. The things that I spend a lot of time doing are computery stuff, playing music, and knitting, all of which put strain on the wrists, so.

The question of how to deal with this arises. So:

- I am going to cut substantially down on my knitting for a while, until I see a doctor or until I feel better. There is one project that I have to get done by October 13, but it's almost done anyway, so there is no rush on it and I might just set it aside for a couple of weeks, particularly since it's on #2 needles. (Smaller needles seem to be a lot harder for me to work with, and I sort of wonder if my rush to finish the Debbie Bliss 4-ply baby sweater of dqqm precipitated this little problem.)

- After the October 1 show I might stop doing music for a while. I haven't decided about this exactly. This may be something I need to ask a doctor about.

- I will pay more attention to walking again, as I have been slacking off in that area some in recent weeks, and walking is exercise (which is good for RSI-type stuff I gather) and also will be time when I'm not using my wrists for anything much.

- I will try to make an appointment to see a doctor this week (which I should do anyway as I'm due for a checkup).

So there it is. I'm making this post partly so that people who are used to seeing me with walking around with knitting needles everywhere will know why I don't have them, and also to see if other people who have experience with these sorts of problems think I'm on the right track or not.

(I should say that this isn't particularly painful right now; at worst it's a bit of a distraction at times. I'm mainly worried that it will get worse.)

Comments

[paperclippy.livejournal.com]

As someone with a chronic wrist problem, I think you are doing the right thing by cutting back and going to see a doctor. If it is tendonitis or something like that, then even though it doesn't hurt much now, if you continue to do the same things despite the pain, it will get much much worse and then you will have to cut out a lot of what you are doing and it will take months to recover (I don't even know how long it's been since I picked up my knitting needles). Also take some time to make sure the ergonomics of your computer desk are good, and your technique for music is good (not too much tension in the wrist). Since it is your right hand I might also suggest switching the mouse to your left hand.

Anyway, good luck, hopefully your wrist will recover soon!

[jwgh]

Thanks for the advice! I will try the mouse thing. It feels pretty strange!

[samantha2074.livejournal.com]

I was going to suggest the mouse switching as well. It helped me when I was having wrist pains. It does take some getting used to, but I eventually became as proficient with my left hand as my right.

[sanspoof.livejournal.com]

Seconded. It is cool to do things left-handed.
You could even learn to knit lefty. Might help.

[christychristy.livejournal.com]

Mucking my way through tendonitis (lateral epicondylitis) in right wrist/arm/elbow. Pretty sucky. Wrist brace. Frictional massage. Icing, etc. I've been very, very bad about taking care of it lately and it is getting worse. Good luck Jakey!

[jwgh]

Thanks, you too!

[jwgh]

I picked up a wrist brace at Brooks earlier. Man, these things are kind of a pain to wear, huh?

[christychristy.livejournal.com]

Yes they are. D got my brace at the clinic and it is not tremendously comfortable. Sometimes I wake up in the night and tear it off. Just finished with some frictional massage and icing in the office. Let us know what the doctor has to say about it.

[jwgh]

Will do.

[donutgirl.livejournal.com]

From what I've heard, you're absolutely right that it will get worse if you don't do something now. Don't "tough it out".

you might try to find new ways of doing the things you love. Mousing left handed is good, I'm not sure what you might be able to change about guitar or knitting. But I definitely think knitting on bigger needles for a while would help.

[jwgh]

Yeah, fortunately one of the projects that I'm thinking about (a birthday hat for cgoldfish) is on bigger needles. I figure I will work on it on Thursdays at SNB and try to give it a rest the rest of the week.

[cgoldfish.livejournal.com]

the hat can wait a while, too. it's not winter yet or anything. take care of you first.

[jwgh]

We'll see how it goes. Hopefully knitting one night a week on reasonably-sized needles will be OK.

[dawn-guy.livejournal.com]

Pain is good in a way because it's noticeable. Numbness tends to be less noticeable and idiots like me can more easily ignore it, making a bad situation much worse until eventually said idiot can't even hold a knitting needle or a pen, much less play guitar. Spending months with radically changed job duties and (still) being afraid to pick up a crochet hook or a guitar is not fun.

Strength and flexibility exercises that specifically work the hands and arms are good, as is improving overall physical fitness. Well-thought-out ergonomics for your computer use (keyboard and monitor height, angle of arms and legs and spine are critical factors) are a must. You must stop doing what you're doing when you notice either numbness or pain. Yes, even if you're in the middle of something.

If you take any painkillers or anti-inflammatories (OTC or otherwise) to deal with the symptoms, make sure you tell your doctor about 'em.

[jwgh]

Thanks.

[kerri9494.livejournal.com]

I remember when this happened to me...it just started getting bad, so I talked to the doctor, and I got a wrist brace with a steel thingie in it. That helped me to hold my wrist at the proper angle, and not bend it badly. You can get them at pharmacies and stuff...so that may be something to try.

[jwgh]

Hmmm. There's a Brooks Pharmacy right around the corner; maybe I'll wander over during lunch break.

[jwgh]

Man, these things take some getting used to, huh?

[kerri9494.livejournal.com]

They sure do. But they serve as a good gauge of how much you should NOT be using your wrists. :-)

[chakaal.livejournal.com]

Two things helped my RSI:

Splints to keep my wrists from being compressed/bent while I sleep.

Losing 30lbs.

Anything that reduces the pressure on the nerves may even ease the symptoms even before the overuse issue is addressed.

[jwgh]

Thanks. I got a wrist brace at the pharmacy so we'll see what that does (and of course what the doctor says).

Losing weight would be a good idea. The old sedentary lifestyle continues to take its toll, apparently.

[restartsmyheart.livejournal.com]

this is sad news :(

[jwgh]

Hopefully it won't be too bad ... maybe I can catch up on some reading while I'm taking a break from knitting.

[junquegrrl.livejournal.com]

its good that you're looking at the big picture instead of refusing to give up something (temporarily) so that you can continue to do it long-term. so many athletes do the latter, and hose themselves. hope your wrist starts to feel better real soon!!!!

[jwgh]

Thanks! We'll see how it goes.

[chaos-are-me.livejournal.com]

ah HA! This is why I saw you walking around wearing a wrist brace today! I feel like I've made some sort of discovery, when I really haven't and in fact just hadn't checked my lj all day (because I was at work and YPI).
It was nice seeing you, even if it was in passing.

What helps me

[vardissakheli.livejournal.com]

is to do slow, forceful but gentle range-of-motion exercises at the first hint of any discomfort. Hold your arm in the other hand, pushing on the ulna with your fingers and pulling on the radius with your thumb to keep them in place, and twist your wrist in as wide a circle as you can.

IMPORTANT CAVEAT: If this hurts, DON'T DO IT!