Partners with Clarian Human Motion
Prevention
Jump to fingers
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Jump to Elbow
Fingers
To avoid smashed fingers teach safety to young children, and use caution when shutting doors to make sure fingers are not in danger.
Wrist
To prevent carpal tunnel syndrome:
• Adjust your keyboard so that you do not have to bend your wrist upward while typing.
• Take frequent breaks from activities that require wrist movement.
• Work with an occupational therapist.
To prevent gout attacks:
• Limit alcohol.
• Lose weight if you are overweight.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Eat lower amounts of liver, anchovies, sardines, and herring.
• Your doctor may prescribe medication.
Elbow
• Reduce how much time you spend doing the activity that causes the pain.
• Warm up slowly. Stretch the forearm before, during, and after exercise.
• Use an "elbow sleeve" to help keep your elbow warm while playing.
• Use ice or ibuprofen after the activity to prevent swelling and pain, if you have had an elbow injury in the past.
• Prevent tennis elbow by using the correct grip size, a two-handed backhand, and racquet strings that are not too tight.
• Wear an "elbow band" over an injured or rehabilitated area to prevent further injury and reduce pain.
• Perform regular stretching and strengthening exercises (given to you by your physical therapist or doctor).
• To prevent nursemaid's elbow in children, do not pull on a straightened arm. • Avoid lifting or holding the child up by the hands or forearm. Children who get nursemaid's elbow once can easily
get it again. Usually this is outgrown by age 4.
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.
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