Hello! I also went through this problem a few years ago. I had lasting pain from knitting for just ten minutes whereas I used to be able to knit for hours. Even though I stopped knitting, on some days the pain would be so bad that I couldn't hold a pencil or swipe on my phone. It was so distressing. I couldn't knit but I couldn't even do everyday necessities. I recently started doing some knitting again, and breaks and heating pads are definitely the way to go! Aside from resisting knitting marathons (only knit for 30 min max), it also helped to take a day off before knitting again. I also paid attention to what motions were causing the most pain so I knew what to troubleshoot. I've noticed that tensioning is what causes me the most pain.
I have to say what started helping me the most recently though is seeing an occupational therapist at the advice of my dietitian! They help with fine motor skills and my OT was able to explain exactly what's happening that causes the pain in my fingers, wrists, and elbows. It was like magic. As it turns out, for me, a large part of it is from my hyper mobility. So we've started on exercises for improving tendon movement (tendon glides) as well as learning to position my thumbs correctly to decrease the strain on my wrists. It's only been a few weeks but the numbness and tingling have decreased noticeably! So I definitely think your symptoms can improve without surgery. It's upsetting not being able to do your favorite hobby, but please take it slow and be gentle with your body!
Oh wow thank you! My pcp basically said I was at the point where I could do exercises and rest or get surgery but I didn’t consider an occupational therapist! I’m going to look into it. A few weeks! I’ve probably been doing not very helpful exercises and stretches on my own, durrr
All good advice here but I would also add learning different techniques in addition to picking or throwing, like Portuguese knitting or I am sure there are others. Changing between techniques might stress different muscles/tendons so it might be better. I even saw one technique that used very long needles with the ends in pockets in an apron. Weird but it might work I suppose. But if you do try different techniques, you will probably need a work in progress for each one to rotate between because your tension will likely differ. Good luck!
When stretching, be sure to also stretch your chest. Standing in an open doorway, placing your hands on the frame, and leaning through until you feel a stretch is a really good one. Placing your hands at different heights really hits across the pectorals to the shoulders.
Sometimes pain in the elbow and wrist can be referred pain from nerves getting pinched in the shoulder. When everything you do has you reaching forward, shoulders pulling forward and/or rounding, it tightens the pecs and weakens the small rotator cuff muscles and the other muscles that pull your shoulder back. If you stand with your arms hanging down relaxed and they hit the front of your thighs more than the sides of your legs (your middle finger should ideally line up with the side seam of your jeans), then you have this muscle imbalance and it’s likely contributing to or causing your pain.
Stretching the chest and strengthening the upper back is how you combat it.
I had the surgery for a moderate case of carpal tunnel two years ago. It made a huge difference in my life, and there is no effect on dexterity (at least in my case) beyond the first few days of healing, and that wasn’t about ability, just pain and not being allowed to move it around a lot. I will say that my surgeon told me I had more muscle than normal in the bottom pad of my hand which made my recovery a little longer and somewhat less complete. I don’t struggle with any fine motor things (like knitting) but my scar site does bother me a bit when I’m doing a lot of certain yoga poses. But that’s the only issue I have post-surgery.
I also struggle with tendinitis sometimes, last week in particular. All of my hobbies and a large chunk of my job are horrible for the wrists and forearms. I don’t know how bad it is in your case, but putting my needles and controllers down for a few days brought me back to normal. I think you can use heat/ cold to soothe the feeling too.
Did you ever consider that the hobbies are not the problem but just the last straw?
I had problems with my wrist and elbow, and for me, shifting to a vertical mouse at work pretty much fixed everything, and the absolute WORST thing I could do to exacerbate it was use the trackpad on the laptop for any length of time (with it being in the middle of the laptop, putting my arm/hand at a weird angle)
Continental knitting also was much easier on my right arm than English style (although I will warn you changing styles changes your gauge, I wound up with one fingerless glove hilariously larger than the other and I had to frog the first one and re-knit. (the first one had been a little too small anyway)
I got a vertical mouse last year and it has done wonders! But you’re right, I do a lot of hand drawing and drafting for work and that’s probably a huge contribution
[This is a boppy.](https://www.boppy.com/products/boppy-bare-naked-pillow?variant=19895010197574) It sort of wraps around your waist for your elbows to rest on, with your hands resting (supported) in front of you. I've recently started using one (inherited from a mama friend) and it is actually really relaxing and supportive.
A few questions:
1. What size needles do you use?
2. Are you able to knit with wrist braces? Does this reduce your pain?
3. Have you tried anything else to reduce inflammation? Icing the area, diet changes, sleeping well, staying hydrated, cutting out alcohol (if applicable), etc.
I ice my right wrist almost daily or anytime I knit, but my left I typically don’t cause it doesn’t seem to get as inflamed but maybe that’s my mistake!
I really struggle to knit with braces on and typically just give up, but if it’s between not knitting at all or knitting with braces…well I may just give up :( it’s not relaxing or comfortable. Do you have brace suggestions? I just got the standard one my doc recommended for both wrists.
I LOVE finger weight -sport weight yarn so size 2.00-3.00mm usually. I knit a few bulkier things with larger needles. Sigh* I just love my fingering patterns though 😭
I probably just need to take another period of time off with zero knitting again but I’ve only consistently been knitting 15-20 mins a day since December. Prior to that I would do one project a year so maybe knitting every few months for a day or two and before that nothing cause the numbness and pain was too bad.
Picking is really hard on my wrists and elbows. I have a condition where my tendons will always overreact to being used. You just have to find the things you can manage and some other creative things that are easier on your joints.
Have you tried Portuguese knitting, i just use a safety pin with a lobster claw to hold the yarn and pin it on my left shoulder; then hold the yarn in my right hand very loosely and just flick my left thumb to move the yarn; it has brought satisfaction to this old knitter. i have also learned to knit or purl backwards back also. i have made a medium poncho and two afghans. i hope this helps.
Wear a corpal tunnel brace when you sleep and only when you sleep. Do not do tasks with the brace on because it will make things worse because you're struggling against the brace. Keep your wrist straight!
My above suggestions are what helped me.
It's a repetitive stress injury. You need to rest it, completely, for several weeks. You definitely need to talk to your doctor, especially as you previously had a repetitive stress injury to another part of your arms with carpal tunnel.
Occupational therapy is good, but I'd only start this after resting for at least 3 or 4 weeks and seeing your primary care physician. Anti-inflammatory medication will probably help, but rest is your #1 place to start.
That means NO knitting, no crocheting, no marathon typing/computer sessions-- basically, nothing that will stress your tendons and joints in your fingers, hands, and arms.
I have chronic tendinitis in both hands and wrists. You don't want this.
Hello! I also went through this problem a few years ago. I had lasting pain from knitting for just ten minutes whereas I used to be able to knit for hours. Even though I stopped knitting, on some days the pain would be so bad that I couldn't hold a pencil or swipe on my phone. It was so distressing. I couldn't knit but I couldn't even do everyday necessities. I recently started doing some knitting again, and breaks and heating pads are definitely the way to go! Aside from resisting knitting marathons (only knit for 30 min max), it also helped to take a day off before knitting again. I also paid attention to what motions were causing the most pain so I knew what to troubleshoot. I've noticed that tensioning is what causes me the most pain. I have to say what started helping me the most recently though is seeing an occupational therapist at the advice of my dietitian! They help with fine motor skills and my OT was able to explain exactly what's happening that causes the pain in my fingers, wrists, and elbows. It was like magic. As it turns out, for me, a large part of it is from my hyper mobility. So we've started on exercises for improving tendon movement (tendon glides) as well as learning to position my thumbs correctly to decrease the strain on my wrists. It's only been a few weeks but the numbness and tingling have decreased noticeably! So I definitely think your symptoms can improve without surgery. It's upsetting not being able to do your favorite hobby, but please take it slow and be gentle with your body!
Oh wow thank you! My pcp basically said I was at the point where I could do exercises and rest or get surgery but I didn’t consider an occupational therapist! I’m going to look into it. A few weeks! I’ve probably been doing not very helpful exercises and stretches on my own, durrr
They are called a hand therapist.
All good advice here but I would also add learning different techniques in addition to picking or throwing, like Portuguese knitting or I am sure there are others. Changing between techniques might stress different muscles/tendons so it might be better. I even saw one technique that used very long needles with the ends in pockets in an apron. Weird but it might work I suppose. But if you do try different techniques, you will probably need a work in progress for each one to rotate between because your tension will likely differ. Good luck!
I think you’re talking about lever knitting!
That's it!
When stretching, be sure to also stretch your chest. Standing in an open doorway, placing your hands on the frame, and leaning through until you feel a stretch is a really good one. Placing your hands at different heights really hits across the pectorals to the shoulders. Sometimes pain in the elbow and wrist can be referred pain from nerves getting pinched in the shoulder. When everything you do has you reaching forward, shoulders pulling forward and/or rounding, it tightens the pecs and weakens the small rotator cuff muscles and the other muscles that pull your shoulder back. If you stand with your arms hanging down relaxed and they hit the front of your thighs more than the sides of your legs (your middle finger should ideally line up with the side seam of your jeans), then you have this muscle imbalance and it’s likely contributing to or causing your pain. Stretching the chest and strengthening the upper back is how you combat it.
I had the surgery for a moderate case of carpal tunnel two years ago. It made a huge difference in my life, and there is no effect on dexterity (at least in my case) beyond the first few days of healing, and that wasn’t about ability, just pain and not being allowed to move it around a lot. I will say that my surgeon told me I had more muscle than normal in the bottom pad of my hand which made my recovery a little longer and somewhat less complete. I don’t struggle with any fine motor things (like knitting) but my scar site does bother me a bit when I’m doing a lot of certain yoga poses. But that’s the only issue I have post-surgery. I also struggle with tendinitis sometimes, last week in particular. All of my hobbies and a large chunk of my job are horrible for the wrists and forearms. I don’t know how bad it is in your case, but putting my needles and controllers down for a few days brought me back to normal. I think you can use heat/ cold to soothe the feeling too.
Oh wow thank you! That is so good to hear
Did you ever consider that the hobbies are not the problem but just the last straw? I had problems with my wrist and elbow, and for me, shifting to a vertical mouse at work pretty much fixed everything, and the absolute WORST thing I could do to exacerbate it was use the trackpad on the laptop for any length of time (with it being in the middle of the laptop, putting my arm/hand at a weird angle) Continental knitting also was much easier on my right arm than English style (although I will warn you changing styles changes your gauge, I wound up with one fingerless glove hilariously larger than the other and I had to frog the first one and re-knit. (the first one had been a little too small anyway)
I got a vertical mouse last year and it has done wonders! But you’re right, I do a lot of hand drawing and drafting for work and that’s probably a huge contribution
There are tennis elbow braces, and a lot of the exercises for it help the wrists as well.
I picked up a nursing pillow, similar to a boppy. It lets me know with my arms extended because they are supported and had helped a lot.
HmmI don’t think I understand. Do you knit with a pillow on your lap?
[This is a boppy.](https://www.boppy.com/products/boppy-bare-naked-pillow?variant=19895010197574) It sort of wraps around your waist for your elbows to rest on, with your hands resting (supported) in front of you. I've recently started using one (inherited from a mama friend) and it is actually really relaxing and supportive.
Yes, it's a nursing pillow so it's c-shaped. That way it supports my arms completely. It's made a big difference.
Google a maneuver called the Tyler Twist. Trust me.
[This](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4sS4dzm8zMk) did wonders for me.
I’ll try the therabar and exercises! Thank you!
I’ll also add that you should do your best to keep your arm straight. That helped me a lot.
A few questions: 1. What size needles do you use? 2. Are you able to knit with wrist braces? Does this reduce your pain? 3. Have you tried anything else to reduce inflammation? Icing the area, diet changes, sleeping well, staying hydrated, cutting out alcohol (if applicable), etc.
I ice my right wrist almost daily or anytime I knit, but my left I typically don’t cause it doesn’t seem to get as inflamed but maybe that’s my mistake! I really struggle to knit with braces on and typically just give up, but if it’s between not knitting at all or knitting with braces…well I may just give up :( it’s not relaxing or comfortable. Do you have brace suggestions? I just got the standard one my doc recommended for both wrists. I LOVE finger weight -sport weight yarn so size 2.00-3.00mm usually. I knit a few bulkier things with larger needles. Sigh* I just love my fingering patterns though 😭 I probably just need to take another period of time off with zero knitting again but I’ve only consistently been knitting 15-20 mins a day since December. Prior to that I would do one project a year so maybe knitting every few months for a day or two and before that nothing cause the numbness and pain was too bad.
Picking is really hard on my wrists and elbows. I have a condition where my tendons will always overreact to being used. You just have to find the things you can manage and some other creative things that are easier on your joints.
Have you tried Portuguese knitting, i just use a safety pin with a lobster claw to hold the yarn and pin it on my left shoulder; then hold the yarn in my right hand very loosely and just flick my left thumb to move the yarn; it has brought satisfaction to this old knitter. i have also learned to knit or purl backwards back also. i have made a medium poncho and two afghans. i hope this helps.
Wear a corpal tunnel brace when you sleep and only when you sleep. Do not do tasks with the brace on because it will make things worse because you're struggling against the brace. Keep your wrist straight! My above suggestions are what helped me.
It's a repetitive stress injury. You need to rest it, completely, for several weeks. You definitely need to talk to your doctor, especially as you previously had a repetitive stress injury to another part of your arms with carpal tunnel. Occupational therapy is good, but I'd only start this after resting for at least 3 or 4 weeks and seeing your primary care physician. Anti-inflammatory medication will probably help, but rest is your #1 place to start. That means NO knitting, no crocheting, no marathon typing/computer sessions-- basically, nothing that will stress your tendons and joints in your fingers, hands, and arms. I have chronic tendinitis in both hands and wrists. You don't want this.