Boom, just like that! The Boomer Story of “I like to, but I can’t “
I like to knit, but I can’t…my hand hurts.
I like to play tennis, but lately I have trouble holding the racquet…my hand hurts.
I have trouble turning doorknobs and opening jars…my hand hurts.
And when did I get this bump in my joints???
Picture a family gathering. A hearty meal, perhaps a log fire in the winter, or maybe a barbecue in the summer. And in the background, the boomers in the family are exchanging notes on their various aches and pains–does this sound familiar? This is probably a scenario that has played out countless times. It’s not that Aunt Mary or Uncle Joe are complainers. They are simply trying to deal with the aches and pains that inevitably accompany the aging process.
The hand is much like any other body part and can exhibit the same degree of aches and pains. Aging joints tend to get stiffer and do not have the same flexibility. As a result, simple activities that you would take for granted can be painfully challenging. And you wonder, “Just a few years ago, I could do this effortlessly, and then…boom! Just like that, my hand started hurting while doing simple things that I like to do or need to do or both“.
Our hands express much more than just job performance or sporting endeavors. They allow us to perform activities of daily living. A painful hand can hamper us in more ways than we can imagine. So what do we do in such situations? Here are some simple solutions that can go a long way towards making a hand more functional.
- Aches and pains of joints towards the fingertip or thumb tip can often benefit from a very short period (5-7 days) of rest and splinting at night (splinting during the daytime is much more challenging as the splint gets removed too many times to be of any benefit).
- The joint at the base of the thumb may benefit from an over the counter (OTC) soft support worn during the day. This allows you to remain functional, while yet reminding you to be careful. An OTC splint may do the same at night although it can immobilize better for a longer duration at night, without affecting function.
- And what about knitting or tennis or golf? Again, simplicity is the key. An OTC sleeve can slide over the knitting needle and make it ‘fat’. This makes the needle much easier to hold and allows you to pursue your passion with much less discomfort. The tennis racquet handle can be easily modified by taping some bubble wrap to the handle. This is a simple and inexpensive fix. If you like the feel of the new handle, you can replace your racquet with one with a thicker handle. Yet another option would be to ask your tennis coach to ascertain that you are playing with a handle size that suits your aging hand (and NOT using the same handle that you did when you were 30!) Make sure you also check the string tension and reduce it for comfort, if necessary. Play with partners of a similar ability and not with someone who hits the ball a lot harder than you. The same ‘bubble wrap’ trick can be used on golf clubs too. Should this new club grip feel good to you, only then should you invest in new golf club grips. Your local golf professional should also be able to advise you on grips that are specifically designed for the aging and painful hand. If your ball goes in a sand trap, there is no shame in picking it up and dropping a stroke. That is better than hitting the sand hard. Similarly, trying to put back spin on your ball when using your wedges, may not be ideal for the aging hand, as you may hit the ground the wrong way and cause yourself more pain.
The painful hand may slow you, may reduce your serve speed, may allow you to hit the ball only a short distance, may make you want to take the occasional ‘mulligan’, but if you follow some simple guidelines, it should not stop you from doing what you enjoy.
Dr. Mudgal is a practicing musculoskeletal physician and the Chief Medical Officer of Aveta Biomics. She is one of the developers of SONA Turmeric pastilles, and takes 1 pastille a day to promote immune health. She is deeply interested in pain management and safe, effective solutions to maintain function. To sign up for Dr. Mudgal’s posts or ask her a question, send a mail to betterhealth@avetabiomics.com
