Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion Helpful Tips Pain in the hands/feet

Not sure if this is the right place for this, but I was just wondering if anyone had any helpful tips on how to deal with pain/swelling in the hands & feet?

I do a lot of computer work in my job and got myself a good ergonomic keyboard and trackball mouse which made a HUGE difference but even so, just in general, I am struggling with the pain in my hands. Wearing compression bandages helps but makes it hard to do anything - I've tried two different brands of arthritis gloves that were sooo uncomfy....and I just don't know what to do for my feet, they ache ALL the time and throb. I have had a look around at various splints/supports/compression things but I'm not sure where to start...

I also apply Deep Heat Naturals regularly but my pain meds and NSAIDS don't seem to make much difference.

Would really appreciate anything that anyone else has tried that has helped. Thanks.

Can commiserate - horrible pain. For feet I use contrast baths. Hot'ish water, cold water. Have also wrapped feet in iced towels. (Wring out towels in cold water, put in plastic bag in freezer. Apply to feet as necessary. Bliss !)

Elevate feet helps - but Compression not good as can lead to claudication.

Might be suffering from vasodysregulation - so perhaps a vasodilator or vaso-relaxer. Discuss with yr rehumy or GP.

Foot exercises. Stretching. Grasping marbles (or walnuts !) with toes. Planta-fascia, achilles, stretches. Get up every so often and walk around. Get muscles, blood moving. Sounds like too static. Leg stretches as well.

Hands, perhaps not too much PC work - rest hands up every now and again. Flap hands about, find good hand exercises to do. Search for these on-line. Upper body exercises. Stretching neck. Unlock muscles. IF have cervical problems then this can cause arm/hand probs. But stretches every now and again will help. Exercises in the office chair - check out manatee here on KA. Find her link and check out her exercises. They are posted up on her KA site.

Hope you can resolve -

Take care - Go well

Everything that Molly said......

PLUS....

LDN (low dose naltrexone)

Nothing helped my hands and feet like my LDN. Now if I'm on my feet too long, the LDN makes the plantar fasciitis go over practically overnight....at least within a few days....

And my DQ tendonitis is much more manageable on the LDN.

For my feet, a few other things I do:

1. the right shoes are ultra important. for me that is flat shoes, no arch support. just flat and as cushioned on the outside as possible. soon as I put any kind of arch support, heel support, or even custom made orthotics, my feet rebel. Everyone seems different in their foot needs, some are like me and need the flat shoes or even better, no shoes. Others are the exact opposite and need the things that make my feet worse. But pay attention to which helps you and do that.

2. Also I have this really awesome podiatrist. Finding a good podiatrist for those of us with foot issues is priceless. She told me not only the stretches that the PTs had taught me, but also the strengthening exercises that Molly describes: tracing the alphabet with my foot, toe raises (my podiatrist taught me to do it one footed, but that was too hard on my feet, strained things, so I do it two footed. Walking everyday also seems to be important for keeping my feet strong.

3. I always always wear rubber flip flops in the shower. always.

4. I always always stand on a kneeling mat, in the kitchen, in the lab. whenever I stand. barefoot on the kneeling mat. like you get in a garden store. much cheaper than mats made specifically for kitchens, labs, etc. and works just as well.

for my hands:

my hands were doing really well. then I got this new laptop. now i'm once again trying to figure it out. but if i didn't have my LDN, i'd be in deep trouble. now its not so great, but not like it used to be before the LDN.

i have a mac and am finding using my magic mouse and magic external track pad do help.


for both hands and feet when all else fails:

the contrast baths that molly talks about. number one.

ultrasound. used to do it at the PT. now i have a home unit.

stretches.

no bracing. braces seem to keep my blood from flowing which makes my enthesitis infinitely worse. so bad that at first after following doctors orders, i had to go to PT to fix the damage that was done by braces. this included PT, ultrasound, and even a cortisone shot. so for me, no bracing, ever.

But due to a number of reasons, hands / new computer just being one of the reasons, I may be going on humira soon. then maybe i won't have to do all this stuff just to stay functional. it is a lot of work.

Aleve too works, but can only take it for a few days at a time. edema. gastritis. are my problems with nsaids. but in a pinch, useful.

and the weeks that I do methylpred, all these problems disappear.

I agree with everything already said....I am on Enbrel so that I am sure helps...For me soft shoes..like holey's are important in the house...Orthotics always...I move from show to shoe....Strengthening exercises when the PF is in check....stretching when it's not...orthotics 24/7 when it's bad...
My hands have been weird lately...small joints/tendons swelling...and aching a lot...Even when using my I-Pad is has been a lifesaver for me...no mouse needed because of touch screen...I just have to get off when it,s bad...I wrap my hands in ice and then heat...Sorry to hear your having trouble...Hope it subsides.

I use a hot paraffin bath. I have severe RA in my hands and feet. My PT recommended it and it really helps because it is just a deep heat. Really softening too!!

Possi

Thank you for all your replies!

I've been nervous of doing ice because the cold weather really sets of the pain and I was worried ice might make it worse? I guess I just have to try it right?

Yeah, I'm not a fan of braces etc - I have a pelvic stability brace which I use when I get absolutely desperate and can't walk without it, but only ever for a couple of days at a time - I'm all for keeping muscles active and strong!

I already have orthotics, but perhaps they need to be reviewed, so will book an appointment! And my physio did give me a few exercises but I have to admit I haven't done any of them - right now it's too painful to even stand on my foot Another appointment to book!

Possi, what is a paraffin bath? Do you actually pour paraffin in to it???

I was started on Methotrexate at the weekend - I need to be on that for 3 months before I can get access to things like Humira through our medicare system, but that's what the rheumy is aiming for.

Thankfully my hand seems to have settled but this morning my foot is agony and nothing is touching it *sigh*

Yes, it is a small "tub" which plugs in. You buy the paraffin in bars and put it in and let it heat up (melt). Dip your hands several times until it builds up a glove, wrap in plastic wrap and a towel to keep the heat in. Just sit and relax until it cools off. Just strip the paraffin off and back in to the tub to reuse. I bought mine at a beauty supply store. My PT told me to dip my feet the same way but my hands are much the worst. It is relaxing and the heat really limbers my hands and helps the pain and swelling.

It is great!

Best wishes.

Ice helps me a lot. Alternating heat and ice is good. Does wrapping a heating pad around your feet help? I have a "back size" heating pad with a thermostat and timer that pulls moisture out of the air. It really helps. I have it on my back at the moment. Anything to help until the meds start kicking in.

Sorry, I keep thinking of something else. :o) I have 3 pr. of RX Crocs that are very soft and yet they have support. The podiatrist told me they are great for trading off which I do like you do several times a day.

My PCP wears them as does all of her staff. I order them from the Crocs website. The RX are the only ones that he recommends. Might try them.

Good point about the heating pad...I can't sit without mine!...It's the best 100.00 dollars I have ever spent!