Arthritis in the fingers

Posted by dennismm @dennismm, 1 day ago

I have arthritis in the fingers of my right hand. Some fingers are even “slightly bent.”
How do I type on my iPhone when my fingers keep hitting incorrect keys? It takes me 10 minutes just to type a simple text! I can’t always use voice or an external key, so what’s next?

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dennismm, I have arthritis in my fingers as well, but, not as severe as yours. Have you tried:

1) Voltaren Gel rubbing it down each finger?
2) A Bed Buddy (Amazon) heatpack wrapped around each hand for a few minutes?
3) There is also a hot wax therapy you can put your hands in...I have not tried this in a long time.
4) Fill a basin full of warm water with epsom salts and place your hands inside and soak. Dry hands and then apply the Volataren Gel. Do not touch your face or eyes with the Volataren Gel on your hands...I know, it's hard not to.

Praying for you and I empathize. Blessings....

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@dennismm Simple is always best! My fingers are ugly t look at, with both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as having taken many years of abuse with torn tendons, fractures, etc.
I use daily hand exercises to keep them as flexible as possible. These only takes a few minutes, while you are waiting for coffee to brew, sitting in traffic, etc.

Here are some simple exercises from Mayo Clinic, you can find many others with a Google search:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/arthritis/in-depth/arthritis/art-20546847

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You can get a stylus to use to type on iphone, ipad etc. my mom had scleroderma and it was so helpful for her. She was speedy on it.

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Profile picture for 2121 @leslie2121

You can get a stylus to use to type on iphone, ipad etc. my mom had scleroderma and it was so helpful for her. She was speedy on it.

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@leslie2121
Stylus is of no help. I still hit the incorrect keys, so no voice, no external keyboard, no stylus, what’s left? Can’t send texts or emails any more!
Thanks for the suggestion however!

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Have you tried dictating messages with the microphone?

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The index finger of each of my hands is so badly bend (inward toward the other fingers) that typing on a cell phone is very difficult. I don't know of any way to make the keyboard larger or to straighten out our fingers. I think we're stuck with what we've got. One thought: use an iPad rather than a cell phone; they come in various sizes.

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Profile picture for joanland @joanland

The index finger of each of my hands is so badly bend (inward toward the other fingers) that typing on a cell phone is very difficult. I don't know of any way to make the keyboard larger or to straighten out our fingers. I think we're stuck with what we've got. One thought: use an iPad rather than a cell phone; they come in various sizes.

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@joanland
Thanks I have an iPad, however my fingers still hit an incorrect key!

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Profile picture for bswpb @bswpb

Have you tried dictating messages with the microphone?

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@bswpb
If you read my email you would have seen that my surroundings are usually too noisy to utilize voice dictation.

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Profile picture for covidstinks2023 @covidstinks2023

dennismm, I have arthritis in my fingers as well, but, not as severe as yours. Have you tried:

1) Voltaren Gel rubbing it down each finger?
2) A Bed Buddy (Amazon) heatpack wrapped around each hand for a few minutes?
3) There is also a hot wax therapy you can put your hands in...I have not tried this in a long time.
4) Fill a basin full of warm water with epsom salts and place your hands inside and soak. Dry hands and then apply the Volataren Gel. Do not touch your face or eyes with the Volataren Gel on your hands...I know, it's hard not to.

Praying for you and I empathize. Blessings....

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@covidstinks2023
Thanks for your suggestion, but…..
Voltaren Gel is an NSAID and I can use it maybe, once a day. Thanks for taking the time!

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Profile picture for joanland @joanland

The index finger of each of my hands is so badly bend (inward toward the other fingers) that typing on a cell phone is very difficult. I don't know of any way to make the keyboard larger or to straighten out our fingers. I think we're stuck with what we've got. One thought: use an iPad rather than a cell phone; they come in various sizes.

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@joanland you can make the keyboard larger I have two bent fingers both are after my thumbs also I use my computer more than phone and also you can talk in texts and not type.. so type in search larger keyboard and that can help you..

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