Over use of good hand

[njbirk]

Over-use of good hand Carolyn Posted: Jul 16, 2003 4:50 PM [ Delete ]
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I need some advice / hope. I'm typing this message with two fingers and a thumb because of what seems to be an over-use injury to my little and ring fingers on my good hand. I'm left OBPI w/ no use of my left hand at all, and I've gotten through 31 years of life with relative ease with just my right to use, but now I'm terrified. I sprained these two fingers last year and they healed up in a month or so, or I thought they did, but now they're flairing up again, and its been about 3 months with no relief - in fact the pain is getting worse. They are stiff every mornning and painful through the rest of the day. I had an MRI yesterday and see the orthopedist about the results next week, but in the meantime I'm pondering a future of true disability. Its frightening, especially since I'm single, so I can't even ask a husband or boyfriend to help.

So what I'm wondering is, for those my age or older with someserious milage on their good hand, what have you done to try to protect your good hand? What tricks or gadgets or therapies are out there to keep me from crippling myself completely?

Thanks,
Carolyn


Re: Over-use of good hand Kathleen M Posted: Jul 16, 2003 9:17 PM [ Delete ]
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Carolyn

You must be scared. I realize that you have overuse already but it is your pinky and ring finger -- do you remember banging them... could you have a pinched nerve in your neck? You are young so this could be temporary.

I used parafin bath... that is the best the warm wax seems to sooth the entire hand. A hand specialist said I should use it every night. Massage therapy... PT... Aqua therapy and also had hand massages... when my unaffected hand began to sting...

I have some use of my right obpi hand and that helps.

I don't lift anymore... I use to think my unaffected arm was so well developed that nothing could happen and I over did it... I use to use my fingers for tough things instead of my entire arm and have Osteo arthritis in all my fingers except the pinky and ring finger on my bpi hand..

Hope you fingers are well soon.

Kath

Re: Over-use of good hand njbirk Posted: Jul 18, 2003 3:13 PM [ Delete ]
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Absolutely agree with everything that Kathleen mentioned.

I am 49 LOBPI and have noticed over the past 5 years a real weakening in the non bpi arm and hand. I take celebrex for arthritis and that helps with all the joints in the arm and hand as well, working I suppose, as an anti inflammatory.

I have learned to ask for help and refuse to lift things that are heavy or else I pay for it. Everytime I have injured the good arm, I find it takes longer to heal. So it is better to avoid the injury and swallow one's pride.

My worst time was two years ago when I fell and broke a bone in my non bpi hand and had to wear a half cast. But I got through it and it healed and now I am really really aware of not overusing it.

Nancy

Re: Over-use of good hand Guest: Angela Butterfly Posted: Jul 19, 2003 8:58 AM [ Delete ]
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RE: Overuse of Good Hand
My child was born in 1984 with BPI. I only just yesterday found your site. Really struggled getting help, but perservered and many gains were made. Her injury completey affected her Left torso, shoulder, arm, hand and fingers. In fact the 3 doctors at 3 major hospitals said nothing could be done. One explained that he was sure the nerve was avulsed. I begged for Therapy at his hospital, Childrens Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL and he told me it wouldn't help. Since I wouldn't leave his office, he gave in and we started with Martha E., P.T. when she was 6 weeks old. Martha ordered a splint. Thank God for her. I'll never forget how Martha recorded a 0 beside every muscle on her long list. Very Severe, with no feeling, entire arm very cold.

I learned how to do daily O.T. and did so for many many hours & hours, over years & years & years. We made great success, way into grade school. Even the O.T.s told me this was impossible after age 2, then learned otherwise. SUCCESS -- She now has full functional use of her entire Left Upper Extremity. She can individually oppose each finger to her thumb, something I taught her when over age 7. She has enough mobility (can reach hand as high as forhead) to even place her own hair up into a pony tail with 2 hands! (Props arm up on furniture to gain additional height). We surprised a lot of doctors too. I was told by all 3 specialists, in her first 6 weeks that she would never get good enough to ever have surgery. Well she never did have surgery, only because she was so functional she didn't need it.

Now, after reading your messages I realize there are more problems looming because of this injury. At age 19 what can or should she do to prevent an overuse injury? A very talented artise, she is in college to become an Art Teacher. Dedicated Mom

Re: Over-use of good hand Cliff Posted: Jul 24, 2003 1:07 PM [ Delete ]
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Hi Carolyn,
Did you used to type with all of the fingers of your good hand? I found that after learning to type well with one hand, I quickly developed carpel tunnel damage to the wrist and hand. To this day my right (non-BPI) hand and wrist are weaker as a result of the typing and have some discomfort. Although I still do use the keyboard, I type much slower and I had to stop using the rules for proper one-handed typing that force you to hold the hand in a position that causes a lot of pain. I don't clean my apartment as much as I used to and when I make the bed I leave the sheets untucked so as not to use the wrist to much. I avoid using a brace on my good hand because I'm afraid I'll get into the habit of using it to much, and cause other problems by keeping the wrist restricted. Also it's very hard to put the brace on my good hand because I can't grip the velcro with my left hand. Well I hope this gives you some helpful ideas. Try to find ways to reduce the stran on your good hand, like the things that I have mentioned. P.S. Social Security will not provide disability compensation to me evan though I've developed these problems with my good arm and hand. Good luck!

Re: Over-use of good hand Angela Butterfly Posted: Jul 24, 2003 1:40 PM [ Delete ]
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Hi all,
RE typing with good hand. I have been researching this topic recently and just gave the info to my LOBPI daughter, age 19, last night. She thought it might be worth a try. The regular computer keyboard is reconfigured to allow for better access to the alpha letters. It is all described on the web site, and you will be given info to the next web site to reconfigure your keyboard FREE.

http://www.nbpepa.org/typeonehand.htm

However, my daughter did wonder if others use the keyboard, could it easily go back and forth for a two handed typist?

Re: Over-use of good hand Kathleen M Posted: Jul 24, 2003 11:05 PM [ Delete ]
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Hi Angela

I am right OBPI and my mother did all of my therapy at home. I was never supposed to move my arm or hand at all... According to my Mom and family the first year there was no movement just a cold piece of marble (their discription not mine) with compensation I do many things but I did wear out my "unaffected arm" way before I was ready to sit in a chair and read... or do nothing... I tend to be a bit on the active side and without the full use of the unaffected arm it is soooo very annoying and once again frustrating... but I found other things to do to keep me from becoming a lazy slug... LOL...
I am married have 3 children and 4 grandchildren so I am pretty busy....
When both my arms began to really hurt four years ago I started to research Erb's and found this website and then I began to get information on my injury and the extent of the injury and its impact on my entire body... I had emg's and MRI and recently had an mri in NY at Dr.Abbotts office. I gained so much information from these tests and they fully explain the aches and pain in the "unaffected arm" as well as the initial injury as best as they can after all these years... It is very healing to know all this information as I was sure I was the only one in the world with Erb's for most of my life.

Keyboards...http://google-mysimon.com.com/FPP_Natur ... ag=upidmlp
I started using the Microsoft Natural - split key board... it is so comfortable... my arm is bent so the position to type with two hands is natural for me... the regular keyboard forces us to keep our arms and shoulders tight and in an un natural position. The split keyboard is spread in such a way that I can rest my palm on the key board and type with out pains in my shoulder etc... One of the young tbpi men told me about a roller ball mouse... it is amazing again... I use it with my bpi hand and all I have to do it roll the ball with my index finger and press with my thumb - once again protecting my shoulders...

Take a look at it... Also many of the parents use therapy that helps with full body use as opposed to using the arm hands for force... Feldenkrasis ( I am not sure of the spelling but am sure some one will post a link - Please)this therapy helps to make us aware of our movements and how we use our body...

By the way have you read any of the material on Camp
we will have many young adults and some not so young and plan to have sessions just for adult/obpi. I know you are new to the website so check it out.

Kath

Re: Over-use of good hand Angela Butterfly Posted: Jul 26, 2003 9:39 PM [ Delete ]
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Hi Kathleen M,
Thank you for your reply. On Friday Jill was here, day off from college. I showed her your message and she questioned the keyboard. Can you type with both hands? She thought that since the keys were seperated in the middle it would be harder for her to reach the entire keyboard. Or, do you reconfigure the letters on this keyboard like the one I described above your note.

Jill's left forearm was supinated (always palm up), at least up to age 8 or so. I new this wasn't very functional so I continued to work and work with her. Eventually, somehow her forearm became frozen in the neutral position (imagine someone reaching out to shake your hand, i.e. palm sideways) She is neither, palm up, nor palm down. She also has ulnar diviation (imagine hand in hand shake and then drop hand down that way).

Years ago I found a Comfort Keyboard that completely split the keyboard in three seperate pieces. The alpha in 2 seperate pieces and the 10 key as a 3rd piece. That way the Left side could be stood straight up with a slight slant to fit Jill's Left hand position. She hated it because it looked so different and she felt it made her stand out too much. Also since her Left fingers don't individualy move as fast as her right it was more difficult for typing with two hands. A normal lefty, could even slide the 10 key off the right side base and place on the left of the alpha keys.

So my question is can just the right side be reconfigured to hold all the alpha keys on the keyboard you mentioned? I do know that the normal resting position of a hand is not all the way palm down and that typing with a regular keyboard for anyone is bad for carpal tunnel.

You mentioned you were having pain in both arms, etc. Did you always have pain in your OBPI side? Jill does not usually have any pain. Occassionally because of her ulnar deviation (the way her hand just hangs) she has pain in the palm of her affected LOBPI. Then she gets out the wrist/hand brace I bought for her at the drug store, now that she is big enough a small fits. She hates to wear it, so when I see it on (not often) I know it hurts.

Re: Over-use of good hand Francine_Litz Posted: Jul 27, 2003 11:32 PM [ Delete ]
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Conquering Carpal Tunnel Syndrome : And Other Repetitive Strain Injuries
by Sharon J. Butler, Jacqueline Entwistle Freeman

This a GREAT book... it is VERY EASY to follow - it shows you specific exercises based on what's going on in your arm.... huge pictures... I highly recommend it - I keep copies of it in my office to sell to my clients. You can get it cheap at Amazon.

-francine

Re: Over-use of good hand CyndiAnn3 Posted: Jul 28, 2005 10:39 PM [ Delete ]
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Carolyn -
I can imagine how scary and frustrating this must be for you. We depend so much on our "so-called" good arm, that we forget that it needs to be cared for also!
I am 50 ROBPI and over the last 5 years or so have noticed my "Lefty" getting weaker and more painful @ times. I know I have tendonitis in both my left wrist and elbow. Sometimes I can't get my middle finger to bend. I enjoy gardening and up until this year, my injury didn't seem to stop me from taking care of my garden. This year I noticed that, when I sit on the ground to clean out the flower bed or pick off the dead flowers, it's harder for me to get up. I've always used my left arm to help raise me up from a sitting position, and I was shocked to learn that my arm had weakened so much in one year!
I also do a great deal of typing for my job. I am an estimator, so I use the number pad on the right side of my keyboard a great deal. Again, over the past few years, I can see a weakening of both hands, and, like you, I am scared about what the future holds for me. I was very interested in hearing from some of the others who posted about the different style of keyboards. My desk set up is probably one of the most "ergonomically UNfriendly" set ups in existence! I have the right arm of my chair as high as it can go, and I still have to have a pillow under my arm. I have a pillow to support my back as well. I look like I should be going to a sleep-over, not work!!! All I need is my "blanky"!
Although I can't offer any better advice than that others have already mentioned, I hope & pray that you will find some relief, Carolyn. It's unfortunate that we have to deal with this, but I hope it is somewhat conforting to know that others have similar concerns and care about you!
Cyndi

Re: Over-use of good hand Guest: hope16_05 (Amy) Posted: Jul 29, 2005 11:08 AM [ Delete ]
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Cyndi
Have you thought about getting an adjustable arm rest that attaches to your desk very easily so you don't have to use all the pillows. I was having trouble using the mouse with my right hand (bpi hand) so my OT ordered an ergorest (I am not dure if I spelled that correctly) arm rest and I can easily take it any where I want to and attach it to the desk that I am working at. It takes less than one minute to set up at any given desk. It has taken all my back pain away when I use the computer, I absolutely love it. You can get them as a pair or just buy one. Many secretaries use these arm rests in hospitals as it prevents their back pain as well. Just a thought,
Amy 18 ROBPI from MN

Re: Over-use of good hand Kath Posted: Jul 30, 2005 2:40 PM [ Delete ]
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Amy
I thought about using the arm rest but tried the tracker ball mouse... I never have to move my shoulder anymore just my index finger and thumb so I can now use my bpi hand (since I have a pronated hand) This leaves my "unaffected" had free to pick up things as well as answer phone etc...

I find if I sit at the computer to long my neck and arm burn on the "unaffected" arm. It is so annoying and is taking longer and longer to go away...

Cyndi
My unaffected arm started to give me major problems at about 50 and for awhile I could hardly use it... I was scared it was not going to heal... I found that it has never fully healed. I was not aware of over use until my left arm stopped healing...

Kath

Re: Over-use of good hand CyndiAnn3 Posted: Jul 30, 2005 4:28 PM [ Delete ]
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Kath -

It's kinda scary as I get older and notice each year (each month, actually) that I am having more and more limitations with both my affected and unaffected arm.
I know exactly how you feel!

I really appreciate Amy's and your suggestions of trying different Arm Rests, Mouses (Mice???) and Keyboards. I didn't even know that some of these things existed! I've spend so much time and energy @ work ignoring and hiding my disability, that I don't think many even realize that I have limitations. Maybe I need to make a little more of my physical "problems" at work.

I appreciate all the words of encouragement. God knows we all need to hear them!

Cyndi

Re: Over-use of good hand Kath Posted: Jul 30, 2005 5:21 PM [ Delete ]
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Cyndi
It was around 50 that I began to notice difficulty with working and tried to hide and ignore it. You really have to make some changes in the way you do things NOW... I know it's hard because you are from a generation where we hide our injury and we don't know enough to explain it and the possibility of "over-use" that is a really problem for us.

Kath

Re: Over-use of good hand hope16_05 Posted: Jul 31, 2005 12:07 AM [ Delete ]
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Hey this is the coolest keyboard I just came across it if you have trouble turning your hand toward a normal keyboard http://www.ergo-items.com/foldablekeyboard.htm I might look into this and it is reasonably priced too.
Just a thought,
Amy

Re: Over-use of good hand Kath Posted: Jul 31, 2005 9:20 PM [ Delete ]
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Amy
Thanks for the great tip. That keyboard looks amazing.
I use a split keyboard sometimes and that makes my life better.
I also have a laptop with big keys and can rest my palm on it so I can type two handed.

Kath

Re: Over-use of good hand CyndiAnn3 Posted: Jul 31, 2005 9:43 PM [ Delete ]
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I've looked @ some of the Websites suggested. In my situation, I'd almost need a combination of the split keyboard and arm rest which attaches to the chair arm. My right arm is quite short, and I think part of my neck, shoulder and back pain stems from having to reach for the mouse and the keyboard. Has anyone ever seen such a thing?
Cyndi

Re: Over-use of good hand CyndiAnn3 Posted: Jul 31, 2005 9:45 PM [ Delete ]
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Oh yeah, I forgot. The mouse and right side of the keyboard would need to sit on the pad attached to the arm of the chair.
Cyndi

Re: Over-use of good hand Kath Posted: Aug 1, 2005 12:15 AM [ Delete ]
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Cyndi
My right arm is 3-1/2" shorter and using the Tracker ball Mouse really helped my shoulder because I can keep it closer and I use bpi hand on it.

I have to sit very close to the keyboard and it is always crooked to accommodate the shorter right arm and the fact that my hand is bent when on the keys.

Kath

Re: Over-use of good hand njbirk Posted: Aug 6, 2005 9:53 AM [ Delete ]
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To whoever keeps posting information about casino gambling here. I don't know how this page came up on google for you but expect it had something to do with one armed bandits!

Do not bother to continue posting your spam posts here. We will just delete them.

This should explain to the rest of your following this thread why things never appear when it looks like there has been a new reply. Luckily they have been posted as guest so most of you never see them -- only the board moderators.

Nancy Birk
UBPN President

Re: Over-use of good hand CW1992 Posted: Aug 6, 2005 10:30 AM [ Delete ]
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Nancy - you cracked me up - all I could think about was how my parents have become major caseno hitters - was it them?? Gosh I hope not! LOL I don't think so - my Dad is trying to retire and loves to gamble and my Mom loves the machines. Ching Ching - she has won a ton!:) I have no injury but I feel overuse - that is something that I get confused about - how do you know what is normal and what is not.... My hands and shoulders at times feel the stress and I always ask Britt - how do you know the difference between injury and no injury - when we all seem to wear ourselves out! It is a hard call - and it is hard too when you are used to your body and don't know any different than what you have lived with.. OK - I'm off to ANOTHER b-day party.... Little Kayla - she is sweet -
Christy

Re: Over-use of good hand Kath Posted: Aug 9, 2005 8:19 PM [ Delete ]
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This is getting to be pretty funny...

They are going to over-use their good hand posting...
hmmm looks like somone is playing a game...

Sorry for all of those who think they might get new information...

[Karen McClune]

Thanks Nancy,

This looks like it has worked. Hope the moderators don't have anymore trouble.

Karen

[Joanie]

Bumping up for Glen.

[Carolyn J]

BUMPING UP---may seem like "old" posts, but we had an updated security revised web site the last year to get spammers off of here and this is the only thread on over-use that survived the changes

Hugs all around,
Carolyn J
LOBPI/70