Thumb CMC Joint Arthritis

• Don't wait to get splints. Early treatment will prevent worsening of your condition, or joint deformity.

• Be careful of "off the shelf" splints that cause redness or pressure as this may cause skin problems.

• Therapists or orthotists who have not had specific training and experience in the fabrication of custom splints for they will not be able to adequately decide the best splint for your conditions.

• Activities that cause pain especially tip pinch (pinching at the thumb tip to the index or long finger tips). Instead you should pinch at the side of your finger to avoid further deformity.

Arthritis

• Activities that cause pain. When your joints are inflamed you need to take precautions to avoid joint damage.

• Inactivity. Exercise makes your joints flexible, your muscles strong and your heart and lungs fit.

• Activities that cause pain - when your joints are inflamed you need to take precautions to avoid joint damage

• Inactivity - exercise makes your joints flexible, your muscles strong and your heart and lungs fit.

Shoulder

• Using your injured shoulder too much. Rest allows your shoulder to heal.

• Any treatment that increases your pain. Pain is a warning that you may be causing further damage to your shoulder.

• Letting your shoulder get stiff. Your therapist will instruct you in pain free techniques to allow you to move without increasing your pain.

• Using your injured shoulder too much. Rest allows your shoulder to heal.

• Any treatment that increases your pain. Pain is a warning that you may be causing further damage to your shoulder.

• Letting your shoulder get stiff. Your therapist will instruct you in exercises that allow you to move without increasing your pain

Carpal Tunnel

• Off the shelf splints many not put your wrist in the optimal position for healing. Sometimes these products aggravate the problem instead of helping.

• Therapists that only treat the wrist. The entire arm, shoulder and cervical area should be addressed.

• Allowing the symptoms to go on too long. You do not want these issues to go untreated for any period of time. Prolonged nerve irritation can cause long term damage to the muscles and cause permanent damage.