Swollen Hands

Amanda said:

Hi

I have been training for a 40 mile walk for a number of months, but the
last couple of times that I have been out my hands have swollen so much
that I have been unable to clench my fists, and my ring has been
digging into the skin. This is obviously cause for concern.

Any comments, advice or suggestions welcome.

Amanda

This happens to me to, in the cold weather

Amanda said:

I have been training for a 40 mile walk for a number of months, but the
last couple of times that I have been out my hands have swollen so much
that I have been unable to clench my fists, and my ring has been
digging into the skin. This is obviously cause for concern.

I frequently find that my hands swell a bit (though not to the extent
of being completely unable to clench them), and that my ring digs in a
bit. But that's at much shorter distances than you're talking about.

I think that the problem in my case is that the shoulder straps of my
rucksack restrict the flow of blood coming back into my torso. The
only solution I've found has been to take my ring off before I start
and to put up with a bit of swelling.

Peter.

I noticed that Message-ID: <[email hidden]>
from Peter contained the following:

Quoted message said:

I think that the problem in my case is that the shoulder straps of my
rucksack restrict the flow of blood coming back into my torso. The
only solution I've found has been to take my ring off before I start
and to put up with a bit of swelling.

Tighten waist strap and loosen shoulder straps?

--
Geoff Berrow (put thecat out to email)
It's only Usenet, no one dies.
My opinions, not the committee's, mine.
Simple RFDs http://www.ckdog.co.uk/rfdmaker/

Geoff Berrow said:

I noticed that Message-ID: <[email hidden]>
from Peter contained the following:

Quoted message said:

I think that the problem in my case is that the shoulder straps of my
rucksack restrict the flow of blood coming back into my torso. The
only solution I've found has been to take my ring off before I start
and to put up with a bit of swelling.

Tighten waist strap and loosen shoulder straps?

Tried it. Doesn't work. The problem is the drag against the front of
my shoulders, not the weight on top. Loosening the shoulder straps
doesn't reduce the backwards pull, which is what's needed. Tightening
the shoulder straps doesn't help, either.

I've tried all sorts of things - including a different rucksack - and
not been able to solve this one.

Peter.

This has happened to me at times too. TIght shoulder straps are part of
it for sure, so shifting the balance of weight from time to time will
help. I did not try the waist strap suggestion, but it sounds good.
Another thing I did was, leave the rings at home, never wanted to lose
them anyhow. And make a habit of raising my arms when from time to time
hiking
and at rest stops be sure to give those hands a rest and let the veins
have an easier time pumping blood back to the heart, raise your hands
over your head when you sit down and lean against a tree or rock. You
will feel the difference and it does help prevent swelling.

Peter said:

Geoff Berrow said:

I noticed that Message-ID: <[email hidden]>
from Peter contained the following:

Quoted message said:

I think that the problem in my case is that the shoulder straps of my
rucksack restrict the flow of blood coming back into my torso. The
only solution I've found has been to take my ring off before I start
and to put up with a bit of swelling.

Tighten waist strap and loosen shoulder straps?

Tried it. Doesn't work. The problem is the drag against the front of
my shoulders, not the weight on top. Loosening the shoulder straps
doesn't reduce the backwards pull, which is what's needed. Tightening
the shoulder straps doesn't help, either.

I've tried all sorts of things - including a different rucksack - and
not been able to solve this one.

Peter.

I get it even not wearing a rucksack, it is common in the family. Comes on
with the cold weather. Doctors says it is just something to live with, I
have had tests and there is nothing that can be done, must admit however
that as I have got older, it has stopped happening. I found that Ibruprofen
or similar helped at the time.

"Amanda" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

I have been training for a 40 mile walk for a number of months, but the
last couple of times that I have been out my hands have swollen so much
that I have been unable to clench my fists, and my ring has been
digging into the skin. This is obviously cause for concern.

Both me and my girlfriend's hands swell up a bit sometimes when walking.
Since it's only a bit and occurs to both of us I've never been concerned
about it but I think holding them up by grasping your rucksack straps by
your shoulders, or maybe periodically shaking them or something might help.

I don't believe the problem to be with my rucksack, I've been using the
same rucksack and had problem free walking for months. It has literally
been on the last 3 walks, 2 of 8 miles long and yesterdays of 16 miles.
Yesterday it took 2 hours for my hands to return to normal!

Amanda

Amanda said:

I don't believe the problem to be with my rucksack, I've been using the
same rucksack and had problem free walking for months. It has literally
been on the last 3 walks, 2 of 8 miles long and yesterdays of 16 miles.
Yesterday it took 2 hours for my hands to return to normal!

Weird. Had you drunk a lot of water or something? Perhaps for some
reason you're suffering from some sort of fluid retention?

Have you changed anything about your clothing? F'r instance, were you
wearing heavier/warmer than usual jacket/fleece?

What had you eaten?

Have you increased the weight in your sack?

I've sometimes found when I've done a long run that my hands have
swollen a little by the end. Not enough to prevent me from uncurling
them (they send to settle naturally into little fists...), but enough
to make my fingers feel stiff, and the swelling is visible. I've
always assumed that it happened because my arms were held pointing
downwards and in an unusually rigid position for an unusually long
period of time. Could you have had a similar experience? Perhaps you
could try moving them around/swinging them about on your next walk?

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk

"If you teach a child to read, he or her can pass a literacy test."
g.w.AT [guessthisbit].com
This signature was made by SigChanger.
You can find SigChanger at: http://www.phranc.nl/

Amanda

I get this a little when I'm walking - not as bad as you, but it can
feel quite uncomfortable. It happens regardless of whether I've got a
rucksack on or not. It seems to be worse in warm weather, or when I'm
walking fast and get a little overheated. Holding your arms up in the
air and clenching/unclenching your fingers seems to relieve it a bit,
but has the unfortunate side effect of making you look like an [censored].
The only real solution for me seems to be to stop for a break and cool
off a bit.

Anth

PS. Please link to www.wheresthepath.com

Amanda said:

Hi

I have been training for a 40 mile walk for a number of months, but the
last couple of times that I have been out my hands have swollen so much
that I have been unable to clench my fists, and my ring has been
digging into the skin. This is obviously cause for concern.

Any comments, advice or suggestions welcome.

Amanda

If it is as has been suggested having your hands low, and/or the weight
of the straps on your shoulders, holding the straps forward with your
hands should serve a dual purpose. Worth a try?

Andy.

Andy Champ said:

Amanda wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I have been training for a 40 mile walk for a number of months, but the
last couple of times that I have been out my hands have swollen so much
that I have been unable to clench my fists, and my ring has been
digging into the skin. This is obviously cause for concern.

Quoted message said:

If it is as has been suggested having your hands low, and/or the weight
of the straps on your shoulders, holding the straps forward with your
hands should serve a dual purpose. Worth a try?

Use poles (which will also elevate your hands) or fiddle sticks.
Keeping your hands active will help the venous blood to flow back up
your arms. I usually use poles but I have on occasion forgotten to put
them in the car when setting off. I then pick up a small twig and
twirl it in my hand changing sides quite often to keep my hands busy.
--
Phil Cook looking north over the park to the "Westminster Gasworks"

Amanda said:

Hi

I have been training for a 40 mile walk for a number of months, but the
last couple of times that I have been out my hands have swollen so much
that I have been unable to clench my fists, and my ring has been
digging into the skin. This is obviously cause for concern.

Any comments, advice or suggestions welcome.

Amanda

I have this problem after only a couple of kilometers. My doctor told me
that it was carple tunnel syndrome. Her advice was to use poles to
elevate my hands and holding on to them would also help stop the build
up of blood. Rings are a problem at when the rings become tight, the
blood flow in interfered with. I was told to remove rings before walking
(where swelling was likely)
You should ofcourse consult your doctor to be shure.

Chris

Hiker said:

And make a habit of raising my arms when from time to time
hiking
and at rest stops be sure to give those hands a rest and let the veins
have an easier time pumping blood back to the heart, raise your hands
over your head when you sit down and lean against a tree or rock. You
will feel the difference and it does help prevent swelling.

It never happens to me, but I don't often let my arms hang - I usually
lightly grip the shoulder straps if my hands are free.

Jim Ford

Chris Roy-Smith said:

I have this problem after only a couple of kilometers. My doctor told me
that it was carple tunnel syndrome.

I had carpel tunnel syndrome in the hills once, but I think it was
because my hands were very cold for a long time. It was worrying because
whilst my hands didn't swell at all, they were difficult and painful to
grip with - I was having problems doing up the zip on my tent and
jacket. I remember thinking that a simple thing like that could end up
as life threatening in severe weather. When I got back to civilistion
(if Aviemore counts as that!) the doctor felt the back of my hand whilst
I gripped. He felt a grateing in the tendons in the back of my hand,
which he said was as a result of the carpel tunnel (which the tendons
slide in) being inflammed. The prescribed cortisone cream soon cleared
it up.

Jim Ford

Amanda, I was going to recommend the poles too.
Of course you are already raising your arms and clenching and
unclenching your fists and keeping those fingers busy, but the poles do
help you keep your hands up for longer times. Also if this is just
now starting, maybe a short break from your training will help in the
long run.

I know a good place for good poles and did not just want to make a
cheap advert with my earlier comment, but poles may be what you need.
Check it out. www.mytrekkingpoles.com

Thanks for all the comments, I'm actually seeing my doctor later (just
to be safe) as the walk is in a week, should she shed any light on it
I'll let you know.

Amanda

If I am, that is news to me. Assume nothing.

I do not deny that list this website I also make no claims about being
the only or the best.
I do believe Daytona is off base with this assumption.

Amanda, I am glad you are checking it out medically. I hope you have
a sports minded doctor. My dentist is a marathon runner and he always
asks good questions.

On 22 Sep 2005 18:57:30 -0700, "Hiker" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

If I am, that is news to me. Assume nothing.

Quite right.

Quoted message said:

I do not deny that list this website I also make no claims about being
the only or the best.

Um... 🙂

Quoted message said:

I do believe Daytona is off base with this assumption.

Amanda, I am glad you are checking it out medically. I hope you have
a sports minded doctor. My dentist is a marathon runner and he always
asks good questions.

Saucony or Asics?
:-)

Best wishes,
--
,,
(**)PeeWiglet~~
/ \ / \ pee AT [guessthisbit].co.uk

"You cannot be President of the United States if you don't have faith.
Remember Lincoln, going to his knees in time of trial and the Civil War
and all that stuff. You can't be. And we are blessed. So don't feel sorry
for -- don't cry for me, Argentina."
g.w.AT [guessthisbit].c