hand protection

Options
kcshreve
kcshreve Member Posts: 1,148
edited June 2014 in Lymphedema

I have been wearing a compression shirt with a Juzo gauntlets on both hands for hand support, even though my hands have done well either way.  I have LE only on my rt side, and recently those rt fingers started to get puffy. The non-LE hand has felt "full", as well.  Not good.  So I ordered a gauntlet with finger stubs for rt hand - what a relief! I'm loving this thing since it makes my hand so comfortable.  Does this mean my rt hand/rt fingers now have LE too? Seems like it to me.  While I'm bummed at the progression, and I'm not happy about wearing one more compression item, I'm glad Juzo's made a product which seems to help. Do you think I should also wear the finger stub gauntlet for the non-LE, "full" feeling left hand? Picture of gauntlet with finger stubs: http://www.lymphedemaproducts.com/products/juzo-basic-acfs.html

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited January 2012

    KC--when I went to the NLN, Juzo was marketing that glove in the $45 dollar range as the most affordable--likely that was wholesale.

    If you have finger swelling, and the glove helps, it sounds like it could be LE. I'm wondering what is going on with your good hand--sometimes AI's can cause arthritis and swelling of the hands.

    It sounds like a good time to get re-assessed by your LE therapist.

    Were you wearing the gauntlet on the good side because it had a pre-existing problem, or just not to push fluid up there.

    It's a good idea not to let the fluid get stuck in the fingers.

    LE is "dynamic" and as my therapist says, it's "wack a mole".

    Kira

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kcshreve
    kcshreve Member Posts: 1,148
    edited January 2012

    I was wearing a guantlet on my non-Le side since I'm wearing a compression shirt and did not want to aggravate the at-risk arm/hand.  I've recently not had as good of control over the entire LE situation, period.  I did a 4 week series of more frequent MLD sessions, but saw only mild improvement, and now this hand thing.  Frustrating.......but I like the "finger stubs."  :)

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kira66715
    kira66715 Member Posts: 4,681
    edited January 2012

    Yeah, why don't they just call it a glove....

    I wore a gauntlet until my fingers swelled.

    Kira

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kcshreve
    kcshreve Member Posts: 1,148
    edited January 2012

    So if one wears a gauntlet (with no finger stubs), in theory that could push swelling on up into the fingers, since there is pressure on the arm, and pressure on the wrist/hand, but no pressure in the fingers?  I think this is what's happened.....and it makes me wish I had used the finger stubs all along.  I'm thinking I may now have LE from using a gauntlet without finger stubs.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • carol57
    carol57 Member Posts: 3,567
    edited January 2012

    As one who is getting that first sleeve/gauntlet combo next week: Is kcshreve's experience a common outcome of gauntlet instead of glove?

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kay_G
    Kay_G Member Posts: 3,345
    edited January 2012

    I am not sure I understand the difference. My glove has fingers up to the last joint. Is that a gauntlet or a glove. I am still having issues with hand swelling, but haven't seen any evidence of it going into my fingers.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Binney4
    Binney4 Member Posts: 8,609
    edited January 2012

    Kay, the usual use of the terms is that a gauntlet is the fingerless one (except it has a bit of a thumb), and a glove is the one with fingers that generally extend to the base of the fingernail, or the joint just below that.

    Carol, the standard some therapists use in determining how much compression is needed is to divide the arm/hand into regions and keep the compression two steps ahead of the region that's swollen. So it's divided into upper arm, elbow, lower arm, palm, fingers. If the swelling is only in the upper arm/elbow a gauntlet is called for (two steps ahead would be lower arm/hand). Lower than that and you need a glove. So for you, Carol, the gauntlet would be the usual choice.

    But considering how hard it is to deal with LE in the fingers, it seems reasonable to me that we'd use a glove for any amount of LE anywhere and leave the gauntlets for those without LE who are using compression for travel or exercise. But that's just me. I have LE in my hands, but not my fingers, and the gloves have managed to keep it that way for several years. Yes!! (Whew!)

    Be well,
    Binney

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • carol57
    carol57 Member Posts: 3,567
    edited January 2012

    Binney, you've given me some good thoughts, which I will discuss with my therapist next time I see her.  Thank you!

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • garnet131
    garnet131 Member Posts: 64
    edited January 2012

    Oh, Binney, I really appreciate your description of the various regions--something I hadn't heard of before.

    Garnet

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • BeckySharp
    BeckySharp Member Posts: 935
    edited January 2012

    Binney--Thanks for your explanation.  My LE is now only in upper arm.  My therapist started me out in a glove but has moved me to a gauntlet.  She did say to wear the glove when flying and heavy exercise.  Actually I like the glove better as I keep getting things hooked in the top of the gauntlet.  But I have more tactile feeling with the gauntlet.  A trade off.  Becky

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Kay_G
    Kay_G Member Posts: 3,345
    edited January 2012

    Thanks for the explanation. I do have a glove then and since my LE is in the hand, it seems that is what I need. Here's a batch of brownies for you.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • carol57
    carol57 Member Posts: 3,567
    edited January 2012

    Binney, I wish you would write a book!  How LE science translates into patient practice, or something like that. I LOVE knowing the 'why' and you are such a consistent supplier of answers to the 'why.' 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Leah_S
    Leah_S Member Posts: 8,458
    edited January 2012

    My LE is only in my upper arm, so it is enough steps ahead that the gauntlet I use has been good so far. My LE PT usually recommends a glove for all her patients but I wanted to try just the gauntlet since I know me, and I knew that I'd more likely be compliant in wearing the garments if I had only a gauntlet and not a glove. So far so good.

    Leah

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • kcshreve
    kcshreve Member Posts: 1,148
    edited January 2012

    My LE is down to my wrist, and now seems to be on my upper hand, so a glove-like support is needed for me.  Juzo came out with w 2 glove styles, and to confuse the matter, they call one of them a "glove", and one of them a "gauntlet with finger stubs".  Odd.  Anyway, the stubs version has slightly shorter fingers than the official glove, extending up to only one knuckle, and it costs about half.  Originally, I was simply told to wear a gauntlet, no other suggestions.  Then, I complained that my fingers keep getting puffy, and the OT then suggested the finger stubs. (I'm amused by the word "stubs".) I don't think she knows about being 2 steps ahead of the swelling, otherwise I think she'd have suggested the stubs earlier.  I'm finding the finger stubs gaunlet to be quite comfortable, personally.  I appreciate ending my day with a hand/fingers which are not swollen.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories