Crocheting hurting my wrist??

Question

I have been crocheting hats, booties and blankets for about 4-6 weeks now. I noticed pain and weakness in my dominant wrist about 3 weeks ago. I realized that the pain comes back when I do the hats...made completely in the round...but is OK when I make other things. Any ideas what could be happening? I can't just stop crocheting...not only do I enjoy it but I am trying to prep for some upcoming craft shows. I did buy a wrist support this evening to try to help it feel better.

Answer 1

I agree that it's Carple Tunnel related. Take a ten minute break every hour and it might be better for you.

Answer 2

Its weird that it only happens when you are working in the round.  Try ergonomic crochet hooks, or crafting gloves that give your wrists support.

Answer 3

Maybe tendonitis from crocheting too much?

Answer 4

Mine does the same thing! I've found that if I take frequent breaks and move it back and forth for a few seconds it feels better.

Answer 5

Yes repetitive stress can cause Carpal Tonal Syndrome as such it will cause you to feel pain.  CTS is: Carpal tunnel syndrome occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the hand, becomes pressed or squeezed at the wrist. The median nerve controls sensations to the palm side of the thumb and fingers (although not the little finger), as well as impulses to some small muscles in the hand that allow the fingers and thumb to move. The carpal tunnel - a narrow, rigid passageway of ligament and bones at the base of the hand ¾ houses the median nerve and tendons. Sometimes, thickening from irritated tendons or other swelling narrows the tunnel and causes the median nerve to be compressed. The result may be pain, weakness, or numbness in the hand and wrist, radiating up the arm. Although painful sensations may indicate other conditions, carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common and widely known of the entrapment neuropathies in which the body's peripheral nerves are compressed or traumatized.

You can help your wrists by excercising your arms before you begin to work with your wrists.

Good luck

Answer 6

Perhaps you could try using a different kind of hook or check the way you are holding your hook.

Answer 7

I don't know if this will help you any but I felt that I needed to share what happened to me.  I was experiencing the same type of pain and decided to hold my crochet hook differently.  I was holding my hook much the same way as holding a writing utensil or holding a fork.  So I decided to hold it the other way which is holding it like your hand is grasping the hook in the palm and your fingers wrapped around it such as how a very young child might grasp a spoon or fork. I'm sorry I don't have a picture or diagram to send.  Since I switched to this hold my wrist doesn't hurt like before.  This might work for you, I sure hope so!

Answer 8

If you're curving your wrists more (and holding them that way under tension) while you're crocheting things in the round, that could be one reason... and you'd be darned lucky if that were the case because for many people, carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive strain injuries can be caused by many things, not just doing in-the-round items.

You can read about resting your wrists, using aids, doing exercises, etc., to try and avoid getting carpal tunnel or keep it from getting worse, on this page of my site if you're interested:

http://www.glassattic.com/polymer/disabi...

...click on the category called "Muscle/Hand/Arm Problems" then check out the subcategories below it)

(My website is about using polymer clay, but repetitive stress problems can arise in many physical pastimes).

At the very least, I'd cut out the in-the-round stuff or do it only for short amounts of time!

HTH, and good luck!

Diane B.