Handy Tools

This is a selection of tools, equipment, braces, and other products that can be helpful in making life easier and less painful. Please take a look through. There may be items here that were recommended by your therapist. Each item has an easy link that will take you directly to the item on Amazon. We have tried to note when the item is available locally.

As time passes, we will be adding short instructional videos on select items. (We’ll start with what we have in the clinic.)

Please let us know if there are products that have been particularly helpful to you and, if they are included below, we can add your short comment. If they are not included, we will be sure to add them.

Happy Healing

- REACH HT

Smart Tools

Electric Jar Opener - For when you don’t have that stronger or younger person there to help.

OXO Good Grips Veggie Chopper With Easy Pour -Whatever the videos say, do not slam your hands into this, just push down firmly with both hands and use small chunks. Also, the easy pour hole means no wrestling with opening the reservoir.

Easi-Grip Contoured Bread Knife - Big, easier grip, less pressure through fingers or thumb with cutting. Easier on the wrist as you can hold it in a neutral position.

Herb Scissors - Why cut once when you can cut four times?

Padded Steering Wheel Cover - Nothing wrong with a fuzzy cover, but this one is classy and its bumps make it easy to hold with a light grip.

Wrist Buddy Yoga Block - Recovering from a wrist injury that has you stiff but you need your yoga fix? Try these out. Let me know what you think.

Mars Wellness Non-Slip (Like Dycem) - Cheaper than Dycem.

Take Out Coffee Handle? - For when your husband is tired of cleaning the coffee out of your car. What, only me?

ABLE Life EX Doorknob Grip - Whether your hands are full, or slippery, or that knob is just so hard to turn.

Playing Card Holder - Good for painful thumbs and kids too.

Easy Hold Universal Cuff - For you dropsy ones and those for whom gripping isn’t an option.

Book Seat - Holding a book or tablet for a long time can lead to wrist, thumb, and even shoulder tightness and pain. Let this guy do the work for you. If you had another favorite, let me know.

Gripping Work Gloves - Use less energy, get better grip with less.

Kitchen Mama Electric Can Opener - I have one and both my son and I love it.

PenAgain - Reduces hyperextension of the PIP joint and collapsing of the thumb webspace.

Pencil Grip - There are a lot of options out there. These are large with a nice rubbery grip. We have them at the clinic so maybe you already tried one?

Pill Chopper - There are a lot of options out there that are fine. This one is inexpensive and has a retractable blade.

Fiskars Easy Open Scissors - Nice big grip. Opens on its own if your thumb isn’t up for the challenge. Just remember to lock it closed when you are done.

BuckleBee Car Seat Button Release - Stupid evil car seat buttons, forever jamming thumbs. You have met your match!

KeyWing Key Turner - Larger equals more leverage, which means easier to turn with less force. Save those thumbs. Just make sure you have enough of a turning radius; the one in the picture looks tight.

Buff Up

Hand Helper Grip Aid - Adjustable tension, inexpensive, and good for working grip strength. Maxes out at 70lb resistance.

Theraband Handle - Get a grip on that band. Don’t cut off your circulation or cause the dreadful ‘snap.’

DigiFlex - If looking to challenge fingers individually, perhaps to return to an instrument or rock climbing. Comes in 5 colors with increasing resistance. Red is level 2.

PowerBall - This model has a string start. With others, you start with your hand, which can be tough.

Hand Weight - Hand strap makes it easier to hold with less grip. Strap is adjustable. This brand come in 1lb, 2lb, and 3lb.

Water Bottle - The bottle has a straw and markings to help you keep on top of your water intake during the day.

Comfort

IMAK Arthritis Gloves - Favorite of a therapist friend of mine.

Weleda Arnica Massage Oil - If you liked this in clinic, here is where you can find it.

Long Arthritis Gloves - Not sure what the ‘copper’ does but I like the hand and arm together.

Arm Sleeve - This one had good reviews. It comes in different colors and different sizes. It’s not for lymphedema.

ConAir Hot Mitts - For targeted heat to your hands. Good for those achy winter months or to warm up before your exercises.

ConAir Paraffin Bath - Treat Yourself. If only using yourself, clean your hands prior and then you can reuse the paraffin.

Fitting the Job to the Person

Ergonomics - The science of arranging the things people use so that the people and things interact most efficiently and safely.

Logitech Ergo Mouse - Not good for thumb arthritis, but less work for your wrist and arm. Again, forearm more neutral.

Ergonomic Keyboard - Talk with your therapist about whether changing your keyboard could help your wrist, elbow, or shoulder pain.

Kensington Ergo Mouse - Again, less work for wrist and helps restrict repetitive movement of the shoulder. Better for the thumb than the Logitech as mouse is controlled with fingers.

ANKER Ergo Mouse - Holds your forearm in a more neutral position, and your wrist in less extension.

Braces

Oval 8 Finger Splints - If recommended by your therapist. Ask your therapist if they need minor adjustment.

Wrist Widget -Talk with your hand therapist about whether this could help your wrist pain.

Active Hands General Purpose Aids - Weak grip but strong arms? Use these and keep lifting weights, or talk with your hand therapist to get other ideas.

Metagrip CMC Brace - Fitting should be discussed with therapist, but I hope to soon have a video on how to properly wear it.

Elbow Pilo Splint - Comfortable nighttime brace (if recommended by therapist) to keep elbows from bending at night. In cases of tennis/golfers’ elbow and cubital tunnel.

Ace Wrist Brace - An inexpensive light brace, small and light, less bulky for women.

KinesioTex Tape Techniques

(With Invitation)