Hand Tools for People with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Compression gloves

When looking for compression gloves for RA, consider those that are light enough to wear all day — and perhaps even at night to help you sleep better.

Breathable fabrics, such as cotton, work well in all seasons to prevent sweat. Some versions are fingerless, while others cover your fingers.

Adaptive utensils

Adaptive utensils, unlike traditional spoons, knives, and forks, may help relieve the pain and frustration you may experience while trying to eat your food. Especially those with rubber or foam handles.

Texturized handles may help with easy gripping. Utensils lightweight enough to hold without much exertion may help you experience less pain and inflammation. Wider handles may support reduced hand grip strength.

Foam tubing grips

Other everyday items could also use wider, more comfortable handles. Foam tubing grips may help with this.

Available in various diameters, lengths, and colors, foam tubing grips make it easier to hold personal care items and improve overall dexterity during use. Possible uses include your:

• toothbrush
• brush or comb
• writing utensils

When looking for foam tubing grips, consider a set with various sizes so you can use them for multiple items. Different colors can also help you better identify your personal items.

Tools for getting dressed

Getting dressed might be difficult, especially if you’re experiencing inflammation and pain in your hands that may make “simple” tasks, such as buttoning a shirt or putting on shoes, more challenging.

Consider the following devices that may ease comfort while getting dressed:

Dressing sticks

Dressing sticks are designed to help you put on shirts, jackets, and pants with ease. This might relieve pain from gripping clothing items with your fingers and thumbs.

Look for a device that comes with multiple cup hooks. Depending on your needs, you may also consider a multipurpose dressing stick and shoehorn.

Zipper pulls and button fasteners

Gripping a tiny metal zipper and pulling it up and down your jacket or pants may become increasingly difficult, just as using buttons may feel painful.

While zipper or button-free clothing items can be helpful if you have a dressing stick, you may still need to use the occasional zipper or button.

This is where a zipper pull might help. You generally have 2 options: pull tabs that attach and stay on your zippers or a button hook and zipper pull 2-in-1 device.

Sock aids and shoehorns

Pulling on socks or compression stockings might be challenging. Consider a sock aid with foam handles, designed to make the process less painful.

Just as you might need help pulling on your socks, you may want to try sock aids for easier removal, too.

While slide-on shoes and slippers tend to be easier with RA, you may still need to put on dress shoes, boots, or sneakers. A long-handled shoehorn designed for arthritis might help.

For around the house

Aside from devices that may help you eat, groom yourself, and get dressed, other aids might make everyday tasks easier. These can include assistive devices in the kitchen, bathroom, and living room, such as:

• Reaching tools are useful for picking up items easily and supporting your hands while cleaning. Look for long-handled grabber-reachers.
• Kitchen aids might help you open cans, bottles, and jars.
• Smart home options, such as light switches and thermostats, are designed for you to control them with your smart device.

Ask your doctor if they have product recommendations. You can find many of these tools from online retailers too.

Takeaway

When you experience RA pain in your hands, consider getting supportive items to help you complete everyday tasks with less pain.

These can include compression gloves made to reduce inflammation and a variety of assistive devices.

You may also consider telling your doctor about tasks that may be uncomfortable due to hand and finger joint pain. In addition to your treatment plan, they may refer you to an occupational therapist for support.