My most recent OT work...2006-2013 when I retired, was with a local hand surgeon. If you can keep yourself asymptomatic, there is no reason for surgery. The thumb pain is likely arthritis at the base of the thumb. there are soft splints that can support those joints when they are inflamed and OT or PT can make a custom plastic splint. Pacing yourself and not doing one single repetitive movements are good ways to stave off pain and joint damage. Keep looking for ways to slow down your repetitive gripping. knitting is not a good activity. teach your computer to write what you say so you don't have to type as much. Look at your posture as you work. Consult an OT or PT who is an expert on ergonomics. Experiment with heat and cold to see which helps most. Heat helps joints move more easily, cold decreases swelling. Take control over how you use your body...the parts don't last forever...but you do not have to give up everything.
Have you looked into food allergy testing? I noticed that if I consume milk based products, my joints start hurting. Also, there are natural supplements like Dandelion and Uric Acid Flush and more. Ask in your local, natural store. Look into Reiki as they will work on removing the blockage energetically. Reiki works and is non-invasive. One last thing, is perhaps crystals. They also work on an energetic level. Go see some healers, especially in Ireland!! They have the ancient practice of herbalists and that is centuries of knowledge. I would try ALL of these before surgery. Makers need our hands. Have a wonderful time on your adventures.
I know that pain all too well. I have erosive Arthritis. I have replaced 3 finger joint with pins, one knuckle with a silicone joint, and the base of my thumb was removed . They took an artery from my arm and ran it up to remake a new joint and all of these were on the right side. It was so hard to not get in my studio for months every time. Recently the knuckle broke and I had to do it again. I hope i can put off the left side for awhile. I’ve have already turned down the shoulder replacement. Paraffin wax helps some and I have a heating pad that’s for hands. I will just keep going till the good Lord says that’s it.
Oh my! You've been through quite a lot. It's good to hear that you're still going. The emotional (and physical) benefits of making are many. Good for you! Thanks for sharing.
Also, I save my sketchbooks and give away the finished stuff...an artist never knows what might come in handy...What surgery specifically has been proposed?
The first hand surgeon said immediate carpel tunnel surgery. The second one, who does a minimally invasive approach (a full transverse carpal ligament release are both improved with this technique which requires only a single limited incision. The transverse carpal ligament is totally released with this approach. During the operation, median nerves and superficial palmar arches are not injured). He said if I'm asymptomatic there's no need to do it now. That was a couple of years ago. Right now it's the arthritic thumbs that cause the most pain.
I am writing this as a 77 year old artist who won't quit, and an occupational therapist for 30 plus years (I had to make money). My rules for aging as well as possible: keep exercising, but not to the extent that you hurt more than help your body, eat a reasonable balanced diet, Stay Curious, have friends...and Keep Making Art! My art work is smaller as I get more arthritis in more parts of my body...over-use and stressful use can make it worse. Taking some supplements might help...like glucosamine, that is supposed to help the cushioning between the joints survive. Pacing yourself and taking breaks is helpful. I do daily stretching and neck exercises that help to counteract the hours I spend on computer. If someone wants to do surgery, do a LOT of research and talk with other doctors and patients. I have decided to keep all my future art works to less than 12" in any direction. I have the additional complication of Macular degeneration...which has been eating at my vision for the last 32 years. Now that more of us are aging and less willing to sit in front of the TV and rot, more companies are making money on helping us...we are a HUGE economic force and could and should change the whole nature of health care in this country.
I agree on all counts. Our generation has so much more knowledge on how to live longer and I want to take advantage every way I can. I will do my research if and when...
Sometimes pain is a notification that what we are doing should be modified...or the way we do it. I'm getting used to the idea that I should NOT work thru the pain any more, but pay attention to what is causing it.
Best of luck figuring out the best direction to take. I think at our age it is a lot about wanting to make things and dealing with the physical pain if we do and the emotional pain if we don't. It can be a struggle that is for sure. Be well!!! And Have FuN this summer!!!!
Having endlessly creative ideas is great and exciting, but frustrating, as well. I get it! And don’t want to throw out all the notebooks of ideas, just in case I live to be a few hundred years old!😂 Rubbing magnesium lotion into my wrists stops carpal tunnel pain for me, in a big way! Might help arthritic hands, as well, don’t know. (It’s also a miracle cure for me, to stop restless leg syndrome, by rubbing on legs.) I’ve tried several brands over the years, and like Ancient Minerals the best, because it’s not greasy or sticky, and doesn’t sting like some magnesium lotions do.
Lesley, my knobby fingers often ache but a massage therapist told me to rub them around, back and forth, with my other hand. It has helped me with those aches although the knobs themselves won’t disappear.
Will do! I deserve a hand massage. And yes, those knobs are here to stay, aren't they? Hope your travel is exciting. I'm headed to Ireland tonite. Teaching, but it will be totally fun, like Portugal was.
What to do indeed! Perhaps if you look at the opportunity the surgery will give you to let the left side dominate for a while , the loss of time with the right hand will not be so great. You HAVE to do something, and it sounds like you will always have a full plate. By taking care of yourself , us pinions follow suit. It’s a win win. Enjoy your beautiful life however you go through this decision.❤️
After I had a tendon repair in my left index finger, it was a year before I could pick up a needle with it. Hmmm. Left-handed sewing? Left-handed rotary cutting? Best to stick with left-handed painting and reading, right? Thanks for reading and sharing. xox
You already see the trend of advice here, but I think it is sound. Get some reality on what it takes to do the repairs and maybe two consultations. When s/o does such valuable things as you do, you owe it to keep it all going, to say nothing of owing it to yourself. I know that artists that work so much over years with their hands have these physical issues along with the age-related stuff. (My sister was a jeweler for years, making all her own silver and gold and her hands are pretty knarled now. As a painter, I haven't had to face this. But still, there is the arthritic matter that comes in now and then.)
On a better note (!!!) I applaud you for bringing this up and facing it so that you can continue. Perhaps some of your readers who have had carpal tunnel surgery can tell you about recovery time. and of course then you get to read your novels!
Keep us up to date on this and KNOW that you are inspiring others to take good care of themselves!
I won't make any decisions for a while except maybe to get another consult, especially for the thumbs. I can always go back to painting! Hope your summer is going well.
Thanks for the book suggestions. Both sound like ones I would enjoy. I'm not a good person to offer advice when it comes to health, as I tend to put things off way longer than I should. With that said, I think we have to listen to our bodies and what they're telling us. Wishing you a wonderful Ireland trip!!
I just ordered the book. Your hands are so important (and your eyes!). Get the consultation if only to get a new baseline from which to make decisions. Love you and have a blast in Ireland.
My most recent OT work...2006-2013 when I retired, was with a local hand surgeon. If you can keep yourself asymptomatic, there is no reason for surgery. The thumb pain is likely arthritis at the base of the thumb. there are soft splints that can support those joints when they are inflamed and OT or PT can make a custom plastic splint. Pacing yourself and not doing one single repetitive movements are good ways to stave off pain and joint damage. Keep looking for ways to slow down your repetitive gripping. knitting is not a good activity. teach your computer to write what you say so you don't have to type as much. Look at your posture as you work. Consult an OT or PT who is an expert on ergonomics. Experiment with heat and cold to see which helps most. Heat helps joints move more easily, cold decreases swelling. Take control over how you use your body...the parts don't last forever...but you do not have to give up everything.
Wonderful and helpful advice. Thank you.
Have you looked into food allergy testing? I noticed that if I consume milk based products, my joints start hurting. Also, there are natural supplements like Dandelion and Uric Acid Flush and more. Ask in your local, natural store. Look into Reiki as they will work on removing the blockage energetically. Reiki works and is non-invasive. One last thing, is perhaps crystals. They also work on an energetic level. Go see some healers, especially in Ireland!! They have the ancient practice of herbalists and that is centuries of knowledge. I would try ALL of these before surgery. Makers need our hands. Have a wonderful time on your adventures.
Thanks for all the good suggestions, Jenny.
I know that pain all too well. I have erosive Arthritis. I have replaced 3 finger joint with pins, one knuckle with a silicone joint, and the base of my thumb was removed . They took an artery from my arm and ran it up to remake a new joint and all of these were on the right side. It was so hard to not get in my studio for months every time. Recently the knuckle broke and I had to do it again. I hope i can put off the left side for awhile. I’ve have already turned down the shoulder replacement. Paraffin wax helps some and I have a heating pad that’s for hands. I will just keep going till the good Lord says that’s it.
Oh my! You've been through quite a lot. It's good to hear that you're still going. The emotional (and physical) benefits of making are many. Good for you! Thanks for sharing.
Also, I save my sketchbooks and give away the finished stuff...an artist never knows what might come in handy...What surgery specifically has been proposed?
I love rereading/perusing all my journals.
The first hand surgeon said immediate carpel tunnel surgery. The second one, who does a minimally invasive approach (a full transverse carpal ligament release are both improved with this technique which requires only a single limited incision. The transverse carpal ligament is totally released with this approach. During the operation, median nerves and superficial palmar arches are not injured). He said if I'm asymptomatic there's no need to do it now. That was a couple of years ago. Right now it's the arthritic thumbs that cause the most pain.
I am writing this as a 77 year old artist who won't quit, and an occupational therapist for 30 plus years (I had to make money). My rules for aging as well as possible: keep exercising, but not to the extent that you hurt more than help your body, eat a reasonable balanced diet, Stay Curious, have friends...and Keep Making Art! My art work is smaller as I get more arthritis in more parts of my body...over-use and stressful use can make it worse. Taking some supplements might help...like glucosamine, that is supposed to help the cushioning between the joints survive. Pacing yourself and taking breaks is helpful. I do daily stretching and neck exercises that help to counteract the hours I spend on computer. If someone wants to do surgery, do a LOT of research and talk with other doctors and patients. I have decided to keep all my future art works to less than 12" in any direction. I have the additional complication of Macular degeneration...which has been eating at my vision for the last 32 years. Now that more of us are aging and less willing to sit in front of the TV and rot, more companies are making money on helping us...we are a HUGE economic force and could and should change the whole nature of health care in this country.
I agree on all counts. Our generation has so much more knowledge on how to live longer and I want to take advantage every way I can. I will do my research if and when...
I've always had a high pain threshold. :-)
Sometimes pain is a notification that what we are doing should be modified...or the way we do it. I'm getting used to the idea that I should NOT work thru the pain any more, but pay attention to what is causing it.
More wisdom. Thank you.
Best of luck figuring out the best direction to take. I think at our age it is a lot about wanting to make things and dealing with the physical pain if we do and the emotional pain if we don't. It can be a struggle that is for sure. Be well!!! And Have FuN this summer!!!!
Thanks, Chris. You're right about the emotional pain. I'd rather grin and bear the real pain.
Having endlessly creative ideas is great and exciting, but frustrating, as well. I get it! And don’t want to throw out all the notebooks of ideas, just in case I live to be a few hundred years old!😂 Rubbing magnesium lotion into my wrists stops carpal tunnel pain for me, in a big way! Might help arthritic hands, as well, don’t know. (It’s also a miracle cure for me, to stop restless leg syndrome, by rubbing on legs.) I’ve tried several brands over the years, and like Ancient Minerals the best, because it’s not greasy or sticky, and doesn’t sting like some magnesium lotions do.
Thanks, Andrea. I will try the magnesium. I do use a CBD balm at night that helps a lot. In fact, I'll go put some on my thumbs now!
Lesley, my knobby fingers often ache but a massage therapist told me to rub them around, back and forth, with my other hand. It has helped me with those aches although the knobs themselves won’t disappear.
Will do! I deserve a hand massage. And yes, those knobs are here to stay, aren't they? Hope your travel is exciting. I'm headed to Ireland tonite. Teaching, but it will be totally fun, like Portugal was.
You make things fun! Enjoy!
As soon as you find the answer, Let Me Know! Enjoy the workshop in Ireland!
Thanks, Susan. I'll keep you posted.
What to do indeed! Perhaps if you look at the opportunity the surgery will give you to let the left side dominate for a while , the loss of time with the right hand will not be so great. You HAVE to do something, and it sounds like you will always have a full plate. By taking care of yourself , us pinions follow suit. It’s a win win. Enjoy your beautiful life however you go through this decision.❤️
After I had a tendon repair in my left index finger, it was a year before I could pick up a needle with it. Hmmm. Left-handed sewing? Left-handed rotary cutting? Best to stick with left-handed painting and reading, right? Thanks for reading and sharing. xox
You already see the trend of advice here, but I think it is sound. Get some reality on what it takes to do the repairs and maybe two consultations. When s/o does such valuable things as you do, you owe it to keep it all going, to say nothing of owing it to yourself. I know that artists that work so much over years with their hands have these physical issues along with the age-related stuff. (My sister was a jeweler for years, making all her own silver and gold and her hands are pretty knarled now. As a painter, I haven't had to face this. But still, there is the arthritic matter that comes in now and then.)
On a better note (!!!) I applaud you for bringing this up and facing it so that you can continue. Perhaps some of your readers who have had carpal tunnel surgery can tell you about recovery time. and of course then you get to read your novels!
Keep us up to date on this and KNOW that you are inspiring others to take good care of themselves!
I won't make any decisions for a while except maybe to get another consult, especially for the thumbs. I can always go back to painting! Hope your summer is going well.
Thanks for the book suggestions. Both sound like ones I would enjoy. I'm not a good person to offer advice when it comes to health, as I tend to put things off way longer than I should. With that said, I think we have to listen to our bodies and what they're telling us. Wishing you a wonderful Ireland trip!!
Thanks, Judith. Glad we found each other!
I just ordered the book. Your hands are so important (and your eyes!). Get the consultation if only to get a new baseline from which to make decisions. Love you and have a blast in Ireland.
Thanks, Corinne.
Wow. A quick recovery. I read months. Thanks for sharing your experience, Marie. Much appreciated.