Gardeners beware

So it's been a while yet again. I've been prompted to post on here as I'm writing about blogs for Thinkingardens,and I've felt bad about the amount of neglect my blog receives.

News just in this week is that I have been banned from gardening for at least three months. Or lifting anything or holding anything tightly in my right hand. It seems that I have worn my carpometacarpal joint somewhat by overusing and abusing it for many many years with using blunt secateurs, lifting stupidly heavy things, generally not taking better care of my hands when working and as a result am suffering with a combination of osteoarthritis and a worn down joint at the base of my thumb on my right hand.

Not ideal is it? Given that the option is an operation and a long time not gardening and indeed being in plaster, I have been warned. So I write this wearing a horribly unattractive flesh coloured hand splint and feeling quite sorry for myself. Thank goodness I can still drive, type, dress myself, lift a glass and shout. This however is a salutory lesson in taking better care of my poor body and particularly as a professional gardener where many years have been spent relying on my good health.

So all you gardeners out there.. especially the women (because apparently we are more prone).. be careful and take good care of your thumbs!

Comments

[VP]

Oh no - poor you and how frustrating :(

I've had a similar experience, but it manifested itself as tennis elbow/shoulder pain - bit like RSI I suppose. I've found not using a computer mouse has really helped. Whilst I hated my laptop's touchpad at first, it's much better than all that pain.

Here's hoping your recovery is much swifter than 3 months.

[Emma Bond]

Thanks VP.. hope to see you soon?

[VP]

Love to! Have quite a few writing assignments (including interviewing David Attenborough tomorrow!!!!) for the next couple of weeks, but relatively free after that...