1 What you can do to protect your hands

1 Sprains, fractures or other injuries to the bones in the hand raise the likelihood of osteoarthritis. So can repetitive motions in certain occupations-- construction workers who hold jackhammers damage the cartilage from the harsh vibrations of that kind of equipment. When possible, wear protective gear. Keep scissors handy to get through some of the tough packaging that seems impossible to open by hand-- and can cause injury. Use jar openers whenever possible. Twisting while grasping puts heavy strain on the thumb and wrist. Ask about an ergonomic keyboard for work on a computer. Posture and proper chair are also important tools to reducing the stress of hours of typing. Consider stretching and light weightlifting to keep flexible and build strength in the muscles of your joints. Self-massage of the hands can also loosen tightness after hours at work. Monitor how long and how tightly you pinch or grasp an object. More stress on the joint means faster breakdown. Electric can openers, food processors, oval-shaped rubber handles, gel pens and ergonomically-shaped knives can all reduce the work load on the thumb joint. Listen to your body. If you are using your hands and the activity is painful, your body is trying to tell you something. Ignoring the pain allows the damage to continue. Ask yourself if there is a different way you can do an activity with less stress to your hand.