Blisters on hands from walker

[mssully]

Hello,
I have searched this site with the search tool & have not found any information about anyone having problems with blisters on their hands from the walker. I had a THR last Wednesday 4/23 & my PT came by yesterday & she said she had never seen anything like the blisters I have. These are on the heels of my hands multiple blisters & the worst about an inch long. Any suggestions from anyone?
Mssully

 

[ano]

Try wearing bicycling or weight lifting gloves. (Get some with a bit of padding.)

 

[mssully]

Ano, Thank you, I tried this as I already had some & the problem is the gloves pushed further on the blisters.
Over the weekend my husband taped foam pipe insulation over the hard handles. This helps, but I was really concerned that if not many others have this problem, I could be using the walker incorrectly which could cause other problems. Thank you for your suggestion. Still hoping to see if anyone else has experienced this problem.

 

[Roo73]

Sully, years ago when was a florist, I got blisters and cuts when we had a particularly busy holiday. I bought some type of tape that is used in industrial/factory work. It is kind of gauzy and sticks to itself so it's easy to remove or replace. It is somewhat waterproof. It will not give you much padding, but it might keep you from getting more, plus it is not as awkward as gloves are. I haven't had surgery yet, so when I get on here afterwards and whine that I have blisters, be sure to remind me that I suggested this. LOL. (Just in case the anesthetic addles my brain.) If I find a source for this tape, I will post again.

 

[ano]

How much weight has your doctor told you that you can put on it? It might be bit of a technique problem. If you can put 100% weight on the leg (I could) then try to shift more weight to your legs, and less on your hands just using the walker to keep you steady. You also could ask your PT to look at the height of your walker because it could be adjusted wrong.

Any idea is to go right to crutches. With blisters on your hands, this might not be helpful, but might be worth a try. Again, try not to put all your weight on your hands IF you are allowed to have full weight on your leg.

Crutches also take practice, but your PT can adjust them and help train you.

Hope this helps. Just suggestions.

 

[mssully]

A better day today. I have the crutches, my hubby got them for me late yesterday. Much relief. I am allowed to put all my weight on the leg, but not if it is painful which it is. So on the walker I was hurting my hands & my hip was painful too. Now it is better. I do think the walker is the better long term solution & hope to use the crutches only until my hands heel better. Here is what I learned. You are right on with the height of the walker. In the hospital the walker I used did not cause trouble for me. When my new walker was delivered to the hospital for me to take home, it was set taller, when I mentioned it to the delivery guy, he said "oh its OK". Well it was not & I am at the height where I ended up with a juvinalle walker being exchanged at my home. Once my hands heel then the walker gives better stability.
Thanks for everyone's help, hope this string may help others too.

 

[Josephine]

Glad you found solutions, mssully. I got wrist pains from using my crutches incorrectly (

stupid me!) and was really betwixt and between. Just as well I still had one good leg to stand on!

 

[westexas]

Another Excellent Choice Would Be Tennis Tape That They Put On The Rackets. The Tennis Pro Was More Than Happy To Help And When I Was Using My Walker For The First Month It Worked Wonders. Hope That Helps Anyone Beginning To Use Their Walker. Westexas....

 

[3janis]

I only used a walker while I was in the hospital, I used crutches after, I had quite a few steps to navigate but was always careful. I was told your gait is more even if you use crutches. I had no limp at all after 12 weeks.

 

[gavinmac]

As others have said biker gloves or weightlifting gloves are great. They should tell you that pre-op. I tell any one I see that is concidering the surgery. I am 6 weeks out and now using only a cane but the gloves were hand savers. You should be able to get them at any sporting good store or walmart.