3-Point Products' Healthcare Blog

3 Things to Avoid if You Have Thumb Arthritis

Your thumb is needed for a significant percentage of activities performed with your hands. Try to think of something that doesn’t involve the thumb. Difficult, right?


Therefore you want to do everything possible to minimize damage to your thumb from overuse or incorrect use. Avoiding or minimizing certain activities will also minimize the amount of pain you experience.

1. Activities that require a lot of thumb strength such as opening a jar with your bare hand. Use additional aids instead like a jar opener or something that increases friction like a tacky material. There is a large variety of options available. Here are a few examples: Selection of Jar Openers

2. Repetition of any thumb motion such as a lot of texting on your smart phone. It is better to actually make a call or use a full sized computer keyboard where you can use all of your fingers to type instead of writing extended messages on your smart phone.

3. Activities that put pressure on the thumb such as push-ups. This includes not only the push-ups done for exercise but pushing yourself up from a chair. If you have difficulties rising from a seated position, try making a fist and pushing up on your fisted hand or push up on your palms.  Both positions help distribute the pressure so the small thumb and finger joints are not taking the stress.  If rising from a chair is difficult due to knee or hip arthritis as well, you may want to consider a lifting seat such as this: http://www.up-lift.com/Products/Products/lifting-seats.php

Are there other things you think should be avoided?  Do you have suggestions for modifications of an activity to make it easier for someone with thumb arthritis?  Share your tips with other readers of this blog via the comment section below.

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Please note that any information in this blog is meant to be discussed with your doctor or other health care professional and is not a substitute for medical advice specific to your needs.

Author:  Heike Heemann