February 22, 2024

91. Hand Problems in EDS with Corinne McLees, OT and Hand Coach

1 hour 24 minutes

In this episode, Dr. Linda Bluestein and Corinne McLees discuss hand problems in EDS including pain, weakness, and injuries. This conversation covers various topics related to hand problems, including ring splints, hand exercises, avoiding strain and hyperextension, tips for traveling, challenges of the medical system for chronic pain, hand pain with writing, hand pain and numbness in sleep, thumb pain and De Quervain's tendonitis, cubital tunnel syndrome, TFCC tear, trigger finger and so much more.

Takeaways

Hand pain, weakness, and injuries are common in individuals with joint hypermobility.

Hand pain in connective tissue disorders can be caused by hypermobility, subluxations, nerve impingement, and arthritis.

TheraPutty is a useful tool for strengthening hands. Low profile hand support options include kinesio tape, silicone thumb supports, and the Push MetaGrip.

Traditional therapies may not work for hand pain in hypermobility if the underlying hypermobility is not addressed.

Ring splints can provide support and stability for hypermobile joints in the hands.

Insurance coverage for ring splints may vary, and Silver Ring Splints is a US-based provider that offers insurance coverage options.

Trigger finger occurs when the tissue surrounding a tendon becomes knotted, causing the tendon to catch and lock when the finger is flexed.

Steroid injections combined with splinting can be effective in treating trigger finger, especially in acute cases.

Trigger finger may be misdiagnosed in the hypermobile population, as it can be a result of subluxation rather than tissue accumulation.

Hypermobility hacks include ergonomic hand movements, swimming, abdominal compression, and prioritizing daily movement.

YOUR host, as always, is Dr. Linda Bluestein, the Hypermobility MD.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview

01:38 Difference between Occupational and Physical Therapy

04:44 Common Reasons for Hand Pain in Connective Tissue Disorders

09:53 Approach to Hypermobility in Hands

12:46 Strengthening Hands with TheraPutty

20:55 Strengthening Hands without Overdoing It

21:27 Reasons Traditional Therapies May Not Work for Hand Pain

24:08 Low Profile Hand Support Options

28:23 Ring Splints and Insurance Coverage

38:34 Ring Splints and Plastic Splints

40:33 Hand Exercises for Different Age Groups

42:33 Avoiding Strain and Hyperextension

45:21 Tips for Traveling with Hand Problems

47:51 Challenges of the Medical System for Chronic Pain

51:22 Hand Pain with Writing

53:52 Hand Pain and Numbness in Sleep

56:16 Thumb Pain and De Quervain's Tendonitis

59:17 Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

01:02:19 Torn Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC)

01:06:14 Decuervain's Tendonitis

01:09:17 TFCC Tear

01:13:32 Trigger Finger

01:17:31 Differentiating Trigger Finger from Subluxation

01:18:38 Pulley Injuries in Rock Climbers

01:19:25 Hypermobility Misdiagnosis

01:20:46 Hypermobility Hacks

Connect with YOUR Bendy Specialist, Dr. Linda Bluestein, MD at https://www.hypermobilitymd.com/.

Thank YOU so much for tuning in. We hope you found this episode informative, inspiring, useful, validating, and enjoyable. Join us on the next episode for YOUR time to level up your knowledge about hypermobility disorders and the people who have them.

Join YOUR Bendy Bodies community at https://www.bendybodiespodcast.com/.

YOUR bendy body is our highest priority! 🧬🔬🦓

Resources:

Learn more about guest, Corinne McLees here:

https://www.handcoachcorinne.com/

Check out the items mentioned in episode 91 here:

https://amzn.to/49FkaGY

Check out the Bendy Bodies Amazon Shop here:

https://www.amazon.com/shop/hypermobilitymd

Links to other products:

https://www.silverringsplint.com/

https://www.evabellejewelry.com/

https://bracelab.com/metagrip.html?utm_source=Affiliate+Partnership&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Corinne

#HandPain #HandProblems #HandWeakness #WristPain

#BendyBodiesPodcast #BendyBuddy #HypermobilityMD

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By Dr. Linda Bluestein

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