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Any ways to deal with wrist pain or fatigue from cane use? (self.Blind)
submitted by JMMSpartan91
So I have retinitis pigmentosa and decided to stop being stubborn after I broke my shin the second time and started using a cane.
I walk a lot. My wrist is messed up from swinging back and forth. I can feel all my tendons flexed out from overuse and have a decent amount of pain. I switch hands sometimes but one hand is still a lot less comfortable to use than the other.
Any stretching or workout type advice for strengthening my wrist specifically to ha ele this?
I walk a lot. My wrist is messed up from swinging back and forth. I can feel all my tendons flexed out from overuse and have a decent amount of pain. I switch hands sometimes but one hand is still a lot less comfortable to use than the other.
Any stretching or workout type advice for strengthening my wrist specifically to ha ele this?
Marconius 3 points 4y ago
Do basic RSI stretches. Hold your cane arm straight out in front of you, fingers together and palm facing outwards. Use your other hand to pull your fingers backwards towards the top of your forearm until you feel a good stretch and hold for 10-15 seconds or so. Release, then tilt your wrist downwards so your fingers point towards the floor. This time pull your fingers towards the underside of your forarm until you feel the stretch and hold this for the same amount of time.
Then, rotate your forarm so your palm faces out in front of you but the heel of your hand is facing up and your fingers are pointed towards the ground. Now use your other hand to pull your fingers backwards until you feel the stretch in the underside of your forearm. Repeat this whole set once or twice.
When you are caning around, if you start to get fatigued, just twist your hand a quarter turn so it is resting on top of the handle and so it adjusts the angle of the sweep to more of a side-to-side movement. Also helps to invest in a grip strengthener device to work it all out when not busy caning.
Then, rotate your forarm so your palm faces out in front of you but the heel of your hand is facing up and your fingers are pointed towards the ground. Now use your other hand to pull your fingers backwards until you feel the stretch in the underside of your forearm. Repeat this whole set once or twice.
When you are caning around, if you start to get fatigued, just twist your hand a quarter turn so it is resting on top of the handle and so it adjusts the angle of the sweep to more of a side-to-side movement. Also helps to invest in a grip strengthener device to work it all out when not busy caning.
ENTJ351 2 points 4y ago
I walk a lot too, I am out and about everywhere and constantly and all I have is a cane. No such problem for me. But I move my entire arm not just my wrist. People who are o&m people say all sorts of weird stuff too me. So yeah. But it may be the vigor at how you do it.
retrolental_morose 1 points 4y ago
Technique is far too structured in the UK. If I'm walking, my cane is detecting obstacles and I'm not a danger to others, I'll swing the thing however I damn well please.
As others have said, a looser grip, lighter cane/tip and adjusting your hand so as to lever different types of exertion are good ideas. I think there's also times when moving your whole arm is worthwhile.
As others have said, a looser grip, lighter cane/tip and adjusting your hand so as to lever different types of exertion are good ideas. I think there's also times when moving your whole arm is worthwhile.
ENTJ351 1 points 4y ago
I think you replied to me then the op but if that was intentional okay. Haha!
I hate proper cane technique. I’ve been called everything from sloppy to lazy to stupid. I get called that anyway because sometime I don’t conform to standards completely. No I don’t do it out of rebellion. I don’t do it to be different. I don’t just break rules. I just don’t do it exactly precisely as techniques call for them. I do well. I don’t always move my cane as much or as fast. I’ve been accused of endangering myself. Not yet. I travel all over the place. The stuff that was told would happen to me haven’t yet.
I find it uncomfortable and inefficient. I’ve never really been able to do it for long.
So I don’t do it. Okay do I look weird maybe. I move my entire arm. And yes I’ve been called names for it.
But I don’t disagree with you. Just that the standards are just as rigid here. When you’re not in o&m lessons no one cares. Haha!
I hate proper cane technique. I’ve been called everything from sloppy to lazy to stupid. I get called that anyway because sometime I don’t conform to standards completely. No I don’t do it out of rebellion. I don’t do it to be different. I don’t just break rules. I just don’t do it exactly precisely as techniques call for them. I do well. I don’t always move my cane as much or as fast. I’ve been accused of endangering myself. Not yet. I travel all over the place. The stuff that was told would happen to me haven’t yet.
I find it uncomfortable and inefficient. I’ve never really been able to do it for long.
So I don’t do it. Okay do I look weird maybe. I move my entire arm. And yes I’ve been called names for it.
But I don’t disagree with you. Just that the standards are just as rigid here. When you’re not in o&m lessons no one cares. Haha!
retrolental_morose 1 points 4y ago
hmm I think I replied to a kindred spirit... ;)
ENTJ351 1 points 4y ago
Yes you did :d!
-shacklebolt- 2 points 4y ago
#1 is see a doctor. Seriously, none of us here are remotely qualified to diagnose or suggest treatments for your wrist.
After that, I would personally:
- speak with your O&M trainer about your technique and see if they have suggestions.
- trial lighter canes and tips. NFB straight canes are the absolute lightest (but a pain in some situations), NFB folding or ambutech slim line canes might work for your cane use case. Switching from a heavy tip (especially if you're using something like a jumbo roller) to a light tip (ambutech ceramic, NFB metal, or a small plastic tip) might also help if it works for your cane techniques and needs.
After that, I would personally:
- speak with your O&M trainer about your technique and see if they have suggestions.
- trial lighter canes and tips. NFB straight canes are the absolute lightest (but a pain in some situations), NFB folding or ambutech slim line canes might work for your cane use case. Switching from a heavy tip (especially if you're using something like a jumbo roller) to a light tip (ambutech ceramic, NFB metal, or a small plastic tip) might also help if it works for your cane techniques and needs.
OutWestTexas 2 points 4y ago
There are different ways to hold the cane. You might experiment with different techniques. You might also look at getting a lighter cane.
JMMSpartan91 [OP] 1 points 4y ago
You know this should have been obvious but for some reason I didn't think into just trying to learn a different technique to rotate in.
I have been staying with mostly the same grip 95% of time.
Thank you!
I have been staying with mostly the same grip 95% of time.
Thank you!
-shacklebolt- 1 points 4y ago
Medical advice is not permitted in this subreddit. Please keep your replies appropriate.
JMMSpartan91 [OP] 2 points 4y ago
Sorry I should have been a bit more specific. Doctor just said it was a bit of overuse and that I should look into stretching and strengthening the forearm muscles, but he did not give me any specifics past a little bit of stretching and resting it.
So the request is for exercise/fitness not medical advice. I just figured this was a decent place to ask as people may have dealt with similar issues.
So the request is for exercise/fitness not medical advice. I just figured this was a decent place to ask as people may have dealt with similar issues.
KillerLag 2 points 4y ago
How tightly are you holding the cane? I've had clients who were holding it too tightly, and that was causing the strain. Try loosening the grip a little and see if that helps.
JMMSpartan91 [OP] 1 points 4y ago
I'm not sure how tightly I am holding it, I will try to be mindful of that tomorrow.
[deleted] 1 points 4y ago
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