hand injury

[debraji]

I started practicing better penmanship this summer, experimenting with different calligraphic styles for fun, but settling on Icelandic cursive for everyday writing. And I've been so pleased with the results. However, although I often remind myself to loosen my grip on the pen, I do tend to clutch it tightly.

 

Over the past two weeks my writing hand has begun to really hurt. The fleshy part below the thumb aches, and now certain movements cause sharp pain (i.e. snapping my fingers).

 

I'm hoping that wearing a wrist splint will help it heal. Any suggestions? Has anyone else here had a similar experience?

 

Not writing at all is not an attractive option.

[Paddler]

I have had a similar experience, but not from writing. My problem came from practicing too long on the guitar. My left hand developed a severe ache when I played certain chords. Holding them for just a few seconds became very painful. It took a whole year to heal. I couldn't quit playing, but I avoided certain fingerings.

 

Paddler

[ZeissIkon]

I started practicing better penmanship this summer, experimenting with different calligraphic styles for fun, but settling on Icelandic cursive for everyday writing. And I've been so pleased with the results. However, although I often remind myself to loosen my grip on the pen, I do tend to clutch it tightly.

 

Over the past two weeks my writing hand has begun to really hurt. The fleshy part below the thumb aches, and now certain movements cause sharp pain (i.e. snapping my fingers).

 

I'm hoping that wearing a wrist splint will help it heal. Any suggestions? Has anyone else here had a similar experience?

 

Not writing at all is not an attractive option.

 

I'd certainly suggest consulting a physician; the pain locality you describe isn't typical for either carpal tunnel syndrome or tendonitis (the most common repetitive strain injuries). The ache in the thumb adductor muscle, however, could indicate some other injury (potentially unrelated to writing) that requires medical care; based on my own experience, sharp pain associated with sudden movement could be a sign of arthritis (some kinds of which may be rapidly progressive without treatment), but could also indicate a more serious disorder.

[debraji]

Oy! That doesn't sound good. I've had carpal tunnel problems in the past: this is very different. And I had a ganglion on my wrist years ago, that required surgery to repair.

 

It sounds like I'd be better off seeing an expert than just guessing in the dark.

 

<sigh>

[Flourish]

I've had my share of hand troubles and I feel for you. I seriously got back into fountain pens, and learning to play guitar, for the main reason that the movements of the pen used muscles that my hand didn't use when carving for 14-20 hours a day. I found that the movements used with the fountain pen and guitar not only helped counteract the hand problems caused by too much carving but the control necessary for both had the added benefit of improving my carving skills and style many many times over. So it may take some time but if you find another activity with your hands that uses your muscles differently then it can help to balance out the muscles of your hand and the added benefit is that everything you do will improve. If you would just like to have an activity that you don't have to pay too much attention to that you can do in your spare time you might want to look into hand exercisers like an extra light or light Gripmaster and/or a Dyna-Flex gyroscopic ball.

 

Hope that can help. Sorry that there may not be an easy way to help correct your problem unless you like copious amounts of mind, and pain, numbing prescription drugs and don't mind that when you stop using them your hand might be beyond help.

[Randal6393]

Hope you get some answers to your problem and can fix it with a bit of work and time.

 

For my case, whenever I start having problems with delicate work I exercise with a light dumbbell, 3 - 5 lbs. That strengthens the muscles and ligaments enough to improve my situation. This was recommended to me by a physical exercise therapist. If you can, have your hand examined by a doctor or therapist.

 

Best of luck to you,

[debraji]

Thanks, everyone.

[indigirl]

Hi, I've been recovering from pretty bad thumb stuff (one diagnosis said DeQuervain's syndrome, but opinions varied) & I can offer the following advice, which may be familiar from your experience w/ carpal tunnel:

 

Stop all that writing for a while (at least a few days) & see if the pain goes away.

 

Meanwhile, ice! Best is to fill a big mixing bowl or pot with water & ice, & stick your hand in there. If this is too inconvenient you can also just put an ice pack on your hand, but it's not as effective. You can also try alternating hot water (as hot as you can reasonably stand) & ice water baths for a minute each, going back & forth a few times & ending with the ice water.

 

Look to your shoulder & neck area: you may be holding a lot of tension there that can affect your hand.

 

Also, improve overall circulation by brisk walking or running for at least 20 min. at a time, at least once a day (twice is better); be sure to keep your shoulder, arms, hands relaxed as possible while running/walking.

 

Do go see a doctor or physical therapist if you can.

 

Good luck!

[debraji]

Thanks for the input indigirl. I haven't seen a doctor yet; I thought it was getting a little better a few days ago, and then it really flared up yesterday. (Making Thanksgiving dinner might have had something to do with it, hmmmm?) I found ibuprofen made a big difference.

 

I really appreciate everyone's feedback.

[gyrosan]

..you might want to look into hand exercisers like an extra light or light Gripmaster and/or a Dyna-Flex gyroscopic ball...

 

Gyroscopic balls are fun, very good for coordination and balancing the muscles on the hand, elbow, lower part of the hand (from elbow to wrist).

 

gyro.. is where my nick comes from

 

Kind regards and rest, ice, mild exercise, different activities with your hand, etc.

gyrosan

Edited November 27, 2009 by gyrosan

[ColeWardell]

I can relate-- I gave myself carpal tunnel from so much writing and drawing my senior year of high school. I switched to a looser hand for a while, and eventually got a wrist brace. I'd suggest a few things:

 

- think about your overall posture when you write, not just your hand/arm/shoulder. It'll help overall circulation, and your back muscles will take some of the tension off your hand.

- get a hand massage! Most masseuses are trained all over the body, including hands. Its not always financially possible to get them frequently, but I've indulged in one or two that have really helped.

- the brace is a good backup, but its really difficult to have good handwriting when wearing one.

- try writing on a softer surface, if you're used to writing on a hard desk. I put a folder or something underneath my hand and paper when I write now.

 

Hope your pain improves!

 

--Cole

[vela]

There's always the challenge of trying to write with your other hand, or your feet...

 

Seriously though, best to do some gentle stretching and massaging, and as has also been said, ice, heat, ibuprofen, and rest, as needed.

[indigirl]

There's always the challenge of trying to write with your other hand, or your feet...

 

I know you said this as a joke, but people do try this, with varying results. A friend of mine was mousing with her foot & developed problems in her foot! I mouse with my other hand, which is ok as long as I don't overdo it.

[debraji]

Saw the doctor today: she thinks it's probably arthritis. There are blood tests and xrays in my immediate future to rule out anything else.

 

Ibuprofen is helping when the ache gets bad.

 

Thanks to everyone for the info and good wishes.

[debraji]

Okay, it's definitely arthritis. Amazing how it's sneaked up on me like this. Fortunately, it responds readily to over-the-counter pain relievers and Voltaren gel. Someone suggested I try capsaicin cream as well.

 

I'm finding that the pain flares up rather quickly when I write; cultivating a more relaxed grip seems to help. Moving up the pen (away from the nib) keeps my grip a bit looser, though I sacrifice some control. This should improve with practice. Also, I've found my Levenger TrueWriters easier to manage than my Montblanc Slimline--the wider barrel makes a difference.

 

Anyone have any pen recommendations?

 

--debraji

[ZeissIkon]

Anyone have any pen recommendations?

 

It was my own arthritis that, in part, prompted me back to fountain pens after a twenty-five year plus hiatus. Oddly, after writing with fountain pens unless forced to do otherwise by circumstance for the past eight months, and writing many times more in longhand than I'd done since getting my first home computer in the mid-1980s, I've found that my early impressions of which pens were comfortable have changed. FWIW, an Esterbrook J is as near perfect, in terms of comfort, as any pen you're likely to find, and you can get a restored one with a good nib for well under $50, with alternate nib units under $20 each. However, my current favorite pen for actual writing is my Wing Sung 233. Mine had a leak that has recurred once, though it's easy to correct now that I know how (and may not recur, now that I know what not to do when filling so as not to loosen the filler from the feed), and required a couple drops of candle wax dropped inside the cap to stop it drying out when standing overnight, but for a $5 pen it's an incredible writer -- which strongly implies that many of the Sheaffer Triumph pens (after which the 233 was fashioned) might also be very comfortable (and, if bought restored, are likely to require considerably less tinkering). These pens have a tapered section that blends smoothly into the nib, and I find the taper very comfortable (and it doesn't hurt that the pen will write with zero pressure, the way a fountain pen should).

[caliken]

cultivating a more relaxed grip seems to help.

Anyone have any pen recommendations?

 

A looser grip should certainly help. These "before & after" photos show a means of achieving this. Starting with the conventional grip, if you extend all three digits until the forefinger is almost straight, you'll find that gripping the pen tightly, is actually difficult. It's almost as though you are pointing the pen at the paper. In this position, the weight of the pen does most of the work and the hand is very relaxed.

 

I am very sorry to hear of your arthritis and hope that this will be of some help.

 

caliken

 

 

 

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd289/caliken_2007/penholds.jpg

[debraji]

donor pen, thanks. I do have an Esterbrook J, and it's just a hair narrower than the TrueWriter. So it's a good choice.

 

caliken, those pictures are enormously helpful. My natural grip is like picture #1. In trying to relax it, I'm somewhere between #1 and #2, so you've given me a reference to work towards. Thank you!

 

Like folks here have said, the lovely thing about fountain pens is they just glide with practically no pressure at all. My handwriting's going to hell, but hopefully that's temporary while I settle into the new grip.

 

--debraji

[ZeissIkon]

My handwriting's going to hell, but hopefully that's temporary while I settle into the new grip.

 

It should be. Mine has recovered quite noticeably since I resumed fountain pen use -- it's now as good as it ever was when I was in school, and very legible. It used to be so bad I even had trouble reading it if enough time had passed not to remember what I'd written. Concentrate on the relaxed grip while you write, and after a while you'll find the legibility will come back, more or less on its own.

[tr3n1ty]

Someone suggested I try capsaicin cream as well.

 

A caution on the capsaicin cream, it does work but it takes a little while to become effective. Also, it's the 'active' ingredient in pepper, so you may want to use an applicator or vinyl gloves to apply the cream. It's not pleasant if you absentmindedly rub it in your eyes and/or nose. Trust me.

 

I find heat much more effective than ice for my arthritis. When it's really bad I wear fingerless gloves with a small heat pack over my thumb. It really helps.

 

-t