Take Garden Season Slow to Avoid Hand Injuries

woman gardeningSpring is in the air, so you’re probably itching to go outside and get your hands dirty. But before you dig in, keep these tips in mind to help prevent wrist pain after gardening.

1. Warm Up First

Just like you’d stretch before going on a run, give your hands and wrists some time to warm up before starting a major gardening project. Perform a few simple stretches to warm up your hands, wrists and arms, such as folding your hands together and gently extend your arms as you turn your palms outward.

2. Use the Right Tools

For every project you start, make sure you have the right tools for that job. You should also check to see that they’re not broken or damaged. Use hand tools with padded handles whenever possible to help protect your hands and wrists as you work.

3. Take a Break

Always wear gloves when gardening to help prevent infections from bacteria and fungi that live in soil.

Performing the same task over and over again for long periods of time can lead to repetitive strain injuries like tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger fingers. To help prevent these common hand problems, take a break at least every hour or try switching to a different task that doesn’t require the same hand and wrist movements.

4. Know Proper Body Mechanics

Many wrist injuries are caused by improper lifting techniques, especially when carrying or pushing something heavy like a wheelbarrow or bucket of water. When pushing something, always keep the height of your hands and wrists between your elbows and hips. When lifting a bucket, for example, keep your wrists straight and use the muscles in your arms and throughout your body to support the weight, not your wrists.

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Take Garden Season Slow to Avoid Hand Injuries
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Take Garden Season Slow to Avoid Hand Injuries
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Looking for tips on how to prevent wrist pain after gardening? Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Francesco Campanile of Denver shares his top four.
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Campanile Plastic Surgery
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