Injury Prevention & Recovery

Spring is here - and that means that both young and young at heart are gearing up for outdoor activities. With the desire to enjoy “Mother Nature” at her finest, comes the risk of injury from cuts, scrapes, overuse or traumatic injuries. Gardening is great for your fruits, veggies and flower beds, but it can be hard on your body, particularly your hands, wrists, arms, elbows and shoulders. Here are a few tips to keep in mind while gardening this Spring: 1) Wear Protective Gloves We are more likely to get little cuts and scratches on our hands without gloves. These cuts could lead to an infection from fungus and bacteria in the dirt. Thick, padded gloves will protect your skin. Also, keep your arms covered for better protection from poison ivy and critters like snakes, insects, spiders and rodents. Gloves also minimize stress across your joints and soft tissues, thereby minimizing arthritis and tendonitis pain. 2) Use Gardening Tools Digging in new areas without tools could result in cuts and puncture wounds that may require stitches or additional wound care. When shopping for gardening tools, look for wider, softer handles that are easier on the small joints in your hands and fingers. Work with your wrist in a neutral position to avoid stress to your hand and forearm and make sure to take frequent stretch breaks every hour to reduce the stress to your back and arms. (Also, remember to safely store these sharp objects to avoid accidents!) 3) Work Smart Use a small bench to sit and work instead of sitting back on your knees, which not only is hard on your knees but causes you to push up with your hands and wrists with greater force. Repetitive motion can lead to tendonitis of the wrist and elbows. Use two hands to lift a bag of soil or use both hands when using clippers. Try to alternate which hand you use while digging or spraying to avoid repetitive stress. And lastly, plan ahead and place your supplies and tools into a basket or wheelbarrow, which will more evenly distribute the stress to your joints. Unfortunately, injuries can happen. If you injure your hand, wrist, arm, elbow or shoulder, call the experts at Philadelphia Hand to Shoulder Center. With 15 convenient offices in PA and NJ including Havertown, Glen Mills, Paoli and King of Prussia, we are here to care for all of your upper extremity injuries and common conditions including arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger and shoulder problems. Call or visit Hand-2ShoulderCenter.com for more information. 1-800-385-7472

Pennsylvania: Center City Philadelphia South Philadelphia · Langhorne Willow Grove · King of Prussia Lansdale · Limerick · Rockledge Havertown · Glen Mills · Paoli Wilkes-Barre

New Jersey: Cape May Court House Cherry Hill Hamilton