Numb hands - help!

You might try using some hook and loop (Velcro) tape. Either stick (if adhesive-backed) or glue one part to the walker and the other part to the foam cuffs enclosed in fabric. Use more than one strip on each side of the walker, if necessary.

Janice

There's also handlebar padding -- haven't shopped for any lately as what I bought fifteen years ago is holding up fine -- cycling gloves, and weight-lifting gloves.

Try to find more than one way to hold the walker. Bikes have "drop" handlebars that allow you to keep shifting your hands around on long rides, but walkers appear to be badly designed in this respect. Perhaps the designers think you will sit motionless except when you need to hobble a few feet to the bathroom.

I really, really love a staircase that's just a little wider than I am, and has handrails on both sides.

Joyce, don't be too sure the problem is stemming from your hands: it could be a problem in your neck (from 'walker posture'?)!

The symptoms of carpal tunnel are very specific and your very best bet would be to ask the doctor. The reason I say this is that we had all assumed Mum's hand numbness was because of carpal tunnel, but after she'd had all the conductivity tests and MRIs, it turned out she's got a trapped nerve in her neck! Of course, that needn't be your problem, but you'd do best to get it checked out properly so that you can get the best treatment for it.

From Mum, I know how awful any dysfunction in one's hands can be. Don't leave it - see about it as soon as you can!

I did go to the doctor, and he suggested it could be a nerve, but to try padding. The trouble is, I can't afford to have any more medical expenses until next year's medical aid kicks in! They'd pay for an operation, but the allowance for doctors' visits, etc. are long finished. Anyway, we're going on holiday with the family on Tuesday, so must wait until we come back for that.

Did your Mum have an op for it, and was it successful?

Joyce in RSA.

I have tried different positions, but it doesn't help much. i hadn't thought of trying a place like a bicycle shop for handlebar grips - I don't even know where there is one! I'll have to do some phoning around. Shopping holds no pleasure any more, so I do as little as possible.

The walker has a seat, which is very useful, but I use crutches or a walking stick when I know stairs are involved. I manage them with one handrail if I can free both hands.

You're right about the designers of walking equipment! I wonder why they think people use walkers if they don't put all their weight on them? Yet the foam grips are very thin, and don't cushion the hands at all.

People are very helpful, but stationary objects are easier to use. I'd much rather become independent again!

Joyce in RSA.

Mum's nerve is in a difficult place and the operation was considered too invasive and dangerous. Since they could give her no guarantees of much improvement, she decided not to go ahead.

I think the criterion is which nerve is trapped and also where/how it's affected.

Enjoy your holiday and have lots of fun with the family! DH, DS and DD all send their love (as do I, of course). ;D

PS. Almost forgot! The physio told Mum to try windmilling her arms whenever she thought of it. This is in order to keep the muscles flexible and to prevent 'hardening' (not quite sure what they meant by that) in the shoulder joint.

Thanks, Trish, for the info and the wishes. I hope mine is a nerve, and that it is operable. It's so frustrating not having control of one's hands! I've always said if I had to lose anything, let it be the legs, not the arms or senses. Well, I lost my legs (figuratively) to arthritis, so it's not fair to have my hands go too! Meanwhile, I'm still managing to cook and bake, but it all takes so long!

By the time we get back, Ellie's pictures should be up! I hope she has a wonderful time. Love to all of you, too. I look back on my short stay in Newcastle with gratitude and pleasure.

Joyce in RSA.