Summer is here, which means it’s time for gardeners to get their hands dirty. However, SSM Health hand surgeon Dr. Morgan Weber warns, if you don’t take preventive measures repetitive motion, awkward grips, and prolonged strain can bring your garden season to an early end.
“I often see people coming in for injuries they got from gardening,” said Dr. Weber. “It's important to be aware of the types of injuries that occur so you can prevent them. There are so many things you can do to save the wear and tear on your hands and wrists and continue to enjoy this time of the year.”
How to prevent common hand injuries
Dr. Weber says she commonly treats people with tendonitis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, sprains and strains. She has three tips to keep your hands and wrists in good shape.
1. Wear silicone gloves.
They’ll protect your hands from cuts or scrapes and improve your grip
2. Use wide-handled tools or modify tools to ease your grip.
Larger handles protect smaller joints in your hand, like the base of your thumb joint, which is where many people have pain.
“To know how thick your handle should be, touch your index finger to your thumb--the circle made by that motion is about the size of the handle you should use,” noted Dr. Weber. “You can increase the handle size of your tools by putting some foam piping over the handle and using strong tape to secure it.”
3. Pace yourself, rest your joints
Prolonged repetitive motion like digging, raking and pruning can cause tendon and nerve irritation; take breaks and rotate gardening tasks. If you start to feel pain or get tired – take a break.
When to see a medical provider
Sometimes injuries happen even when we’re doing our best to prevent them. According to Dr. Weber, you should see medical provider if:
- Your pain doesn’t go away or you notice swelling or numbness in your hands or wrists
- You lose strength in your hands or fingers
- You lose mobility in your fingers
With the right safety measures, you can enjoy gardening while keeping your hands and wrists healthy.
If you’re experiencing pain from a gardening injury, request an appointment with one of our physicians.
