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.
Disclaimer: I am part of Amazon's Affiliate program, I receive a small commission with purchases made through links below.
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
Everyday
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.
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.
Easy Hold Universal Cuff - For you dropsy ones and those for whom gripping isn’t an option.
Gripping Work Gloves - Use less energy, get better grip with less. Sometimes found at the grocery store. Can get a cheap pair at Walmart.
PenAgain - Reduces hyperextension of the PIP joint and collapsing of the thumb webspace. You can buy refill ink.
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. can find something similar at local pharmacy.
BuckleBee Child Car Seat Button Release - Stupid evil child 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.
Electric Lighter- No tricky buttons or switches. Fun/versatile bending neck and colors.
Front Closure Bra with Support- Save your shoulders, get a larger size to save your thumbs.
Front Closure Bra No Support- Easier on the hands, velcro may need beefing up.
Foam Grip Tubing- gives you a better grip on what you have instead of buying new.
PopSocket- avoid cramping fingers and protect your thumb when holding your phone. Sold in lots of styles.
Bumpy Pencil Grip- No skinny pens or pencils allowed!
12” Shoe Horn - Save your fingers and put on those tight shoes with a shoe horn. If the reach is hard for you get one with a long handle.
Clickable Dry Erase Markers- Save your thumbs and stop pinching off those marker tips.
Gentle Leader- Tested by one of our therapists. Stops pulling.
Buttoner and Zipper Pull- Easy to hold to help with those tiny buttons and zipper pulls.
Hobbies
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.
Fiskars Weed Puller- My mother in law and patient both have one. no bending and digging. picture has link to Amazon.
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. Available at JoAnns.
Playing Card Holder - Keep Playing! Good for painful thumbs and kids too.
Crochet Tension Ring - to avoid lateral pressure.
Ergonomic Crochet Hook - Keep Crocheting! Save your Thumbs.
Kitchen
Electric Salt and Pepper Grinder Set - A patient recommended an electric grinder. Not sure if this is the one but is was reasonably priced and highly rated on Amazon. Others are re-chargeable if you care.
Kitchen Mama Multifunction Opener- I Love Kitchen Mama’s stuff. Helps to watch the video on this one, lots of handy functions.
Manual Jar Opener- use larger muscles to open your jars can use this with a rubber gripper
Palm Veggie Peeler - Slip it on like a ring. They are also made with 2 finger holes but that means you need to have 2 straight fingers that agree to work together.
Oster Electric Wine Opener- Amazon won’t let me link to this one.
Zip Seeler - those resealable freezer bags, great idea, hard on the thumbs
Herb Scissors - Why cut once when you can cut four times?
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.
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.
Electric Jar Opener - For when you don’t have that stronger or younger person there to help.
Jar Gripper - Get something inexpensive because they all dry out and they all get dirty. It’s easier to replace when you haven’t spent much. Can get from Grocers.
Mars Wellness Non-Slip (Like Dycem) - Cheaper than Dycem.
Kitchen Mama Electric Can Opener 2.0 - I have one and both my son and I love it.
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.’
Power Web - two different resistances lrg size
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. Do not use with Arthritis.
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.
Therapy Putty - Trialed by my patients, this has a good selection of resistances. Just don’t do like my 9 yo and stick it in your pocket out of it’s case.
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.
FlexBar by Theraband - lots of options for wrist and forearm strengthening.
Kinetic Sand- Like using it in the clinic? Get some for yourself. The texture of the sand is good for hypersensitivity and you can have fun as you strengthen your hand.
COMFORT
Duerer Arthritis Gloves - Tipless and inexpensive, worth a try. Comes in different colors and good reviews. can find similar at local pharmacy.
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.
MediBeads Heat Pack Small- A favorite brand of a therapist friend, warm in the microwave, provides moist heat to area. Small = more fitting, lighter.
Therapy Spheres- Vibrating massage balls. Great for hypersensitivity and nerve stimulation.
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 unless directed by therapist.
Heat Glove Liners - Thin heated gloves meant to be worn inside gloves and mittens in cold weather but could be worn alone in cool weather. Can use your smart phone without removing. This brand seems to have pretty good reviews. Sore stiff hands or Raynaud’s. Patient loves button on wrist.
Wave Massage Tool- I have tries several and this is so far the easiest on my hands. Much less dropsy.
Long Hot Water Bottle- Tie it, Wrap it, Snuggle it. Not electric. Stays warm for a good long time.
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. Can find something similar at Walmart.
MediBeads Heat Pack Large - A favorite brand of a therapist friend, warm in the microwave, provides moist heat to area. Larger = more roomy.
Mirror Box- If you need it you know. Can help re-train the brain through neuroplasticity and help with dystonia and pain. This one is easy set up and cheaper.
Large Moist Electric Heating Pad- Moisture helps heat get into tissues. This one is recommended by my massage therapist, many of her clients enjoy it.
SUPPORTS
Oval 8 Finger Splints - If recommended by your therapist. Talk to your hand 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.
Elbow Pad- use backwards to prevent night time bending, protect those tender elbows and nerves from compression when leaning.
Night Time Wrist Brace- I have a patient that likes hers and says it stopped her night time nerve pain.
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. Ace brand can be found at CVS and Walmart.
Trigger Finger Braces- these are cute and easy to use
Comfort Cool Neoprene Brace- Neoprene can be warming to a painful thumb. less support than the Metagrip.
Tennis/Golfer’s Elbow Brace- there are a ton out there. this had the best reviews and you get two for the price of one. Talk to your therapist about placement and whether to use one or not.
Velpeau CMC Brace- knock off of the Metagrip. Metagrip is more supportive but this is a good much cheaper option..
Bunion Shields- not just for your toes, use to pad your thumb under your thumb splint.
Hand Socks for Splints- Helps by absorbing perspiration under splint. Hand wash and Air dry switch out frequently.
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. Discuss options with your hand therapist.
Logitech Ergo Mouse - Not good for thumb arthritis, but less work for your wrist and arm. 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 - 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.