Hi ?Julia - just a word of caution - people on here warned me of this but I was recently referred to an occupational therapist - as people on here suggested - and she told me off for wearing inappropriate splits, she said I was lucky not to have ended up with carpal tunnel syndrome. I don't think the same would apply to the softer supports but I'm glad I took forum advice and got to see the OT. I didn't know you could just ask but I just mentioned it to the rheumy nurse and she referred me straigh away. They have given me all sorts of 'top tips' as well as proper splints and resting splints. Some wise folk on this forum you know!

Julie

Hello welcome

id say ask for a referral to a occupational therpaist,i did they make sure give you right sort of supports and you woudlnt pay either.
i only have resting splints and im not to wear them when joints red hot as can cause damage by compressing inflammed joints.
and only for 1 hour at night.
for now i was told to refrain from usign anythign elses as still a youngster to make sure msucles are used and dont become weak.
it is an individual thing.
as to what would suit.

all best
melly

Hi Julia

Agree with others, you could be causing yourself additional problems. You need to maintain function and unsuitable supports may restrict this allowing the joints to stiffen up and could, in the long term, actually lead to deformities in vulnerable joints. Correctly positioned supportive splints will rest and mobilise the joint as necessary. Stretchy crepe bandages and tubigrips are great for minor injuries, strains etc. but not adequate for diseased joints as they quickly lose their supportive qualities; neoprene, whilst soft and warm, is best used for temporary support in sporting activities for its flexibility!

Sometimes things we think are actually doing us good turn out to be doing exactly the opposite. Caution is key and the O.T. will be able to offer expert advice relating to your specific problems. What I don't know about splints ... years of hand and wrist problems I guess!!

Good luck Julia and Maria

Lyn x

Sorry I meant muscle strength, that will teach me to make my writing bigger in future !
[size=6]
Julia x

Hi Julia

Lots of good advice on here

My rheumatologist has never mentioned OT to me, either. The only time I've had any contact with OT was following an operation, when they gave me a perching stool which wouldn't even fit in front of our sink! However, my rheumy gave me splints for my hands and wrist when I first saw him, it may be worth asking your rheumy about this?

Anthea x

Hi Julia,

What an interesting post. My RA is mainly in my wrists and doc thinks I have a touch of carpal tunnel too. Got some splints of OT told first to use them to support joints when doing activity but not rely on them and not to use them at night, otherwise I would lose strength. Well then 6 months ago bearing in mnind it was non stop problems with wrists since before diagnoses in 07 and was mainly complaining about my wrists I was told it was good to rest them using splints at night when in flare.

As I couldnt write so started to use keyboard and was using the splints as a support and was extremely painful but thought I was doing right. Now looking back the reason why my wrists and hands were hurting was because the splints were making it worse even though I had a larger splint to accommodate the swelling. So thanks for the post I will now just stop activity instead of trying to finish a task (so frustrating).

By the way i used these tennis wrists supports (flannel type tube) as I thought they were more discrete outside as hate the bit NHS splints but OT told me not too as they were too tight and making it worse when I complained about my wrists.

My biggest moan is the inconsistency of advice from OT I have had since being diagnoses. I know that RA is different to each individual but for crying out load if someone whose RA predominately effects the wrists surely they can give a better management strategy from the start. I was also told not to exercise my fingers and then told I have to!

Also if anyone has tingling fingers or dead hands which I have had it helps not to lean or bend the elbow!

So I agree that the forum is a mine of info in getting tips how to manage our illness.

Thanks for the message, your thoughts are of great help. When I have been wearing the " stretchy bandages " it felt like it was making the inflamation more painful and no doubt it was its so difficult to get the balance, it was very interesting what Fiona has said ( posting after your s ) about carpel tunnel and electrical testing I will discuss this with my rheumy when I go back in month or so.

Take care Julia