Help! How to do things one armed?

[maggiso]

So I fell on the stairs and now have a sprained wrist and elbow. My dominant arm - which is basically unusable- so I am typing left handed. My fingers and thumb are too weak to be useful. I am learning to use my shoulder, teeth, knees ( to open a jar)etc to hold things but how on earth do I do up my bra,a zip, use a knife, wrong out a dishcloth, dress, etc? I can’t even pair socks together - although it’s a good excuse to teach ds( who is able bodied but has SLD)- but too old to ask for help me dress!
Any tips on how to manage the general chores and basics one armed would be most appreciated!

Sorry to hear about your fall
Look on amazon for
Dycem jar openers
Shoe horn
Long handle sponge
Dresser stick
Dycem mat to stop items slipping

Ask the GP or hospital can the OT recommend any ADL aids
Do you have a follow up ortho out patient appt

Thank you, most helpful. I will see what I can order. No fu as elbow not broken. Wrist was not xrayed and now I suspect maybe it should have been. I also have a sprained ankle so can’t get around well, but that is mild in comparison to my arm. I was due backat work tomorrow ( I took holiday for school holiday) but I can’t write. Left hand is so poor in comparison- oh to be ambidextrous! I am beginning to get some movement back in my fingers and thumb but cannot hold anything yet.
I will try and get to see my Gp for advice. Ds is being helpful - sort off!
There must be lots of people who manage despite an arm injury!

I have had major shoulder surgery several times, each meaning months with the use of only one arm. The worst thing was trying to do my hair - I had to rely on a male friend (no females about where I lived) to wash and style it for me. What a mess!!! Otherwise I mostly wore clothes that were easy to get on and off - I couldn't lift my arm, had to use my other arm to support it away from my body for a wash or balance it on the edge of a sink, and had to have it strapped to my body. I lived in elasticated waists and baggy tops so coupled with the terrible hair I certainly didn't look good at all....

Bras I either got friend to do up or did it up, brought it up over my waist and wriggled into it so straps could be brought upwards over arms rather than needing to lift them.

I chose food that I could mostly eat with just a fork or spoon, or got people to cut my food for me (a big group of us ate all our meals together).

Could you dictate notes to your phone rather than write them perhaps? Otherwise again you'll be surprised how fast your non - dominant handed writing improves!

You'll be surprised at what you can actually manage one armed - desperation makes you inventive!! Best of luck.

I once had a full cast on my dominant arm.
With my bra, I used to lay it on the bed to fasten it, using an elbow to pin it down and the fingers of my other hand to fasten it before putting it on over my head like you would a jumper. It took a bit of jiggling and wriggling, but I got there in the end.
With jars I used to clamp them to my side and untwist the top with my other hand ( hello pickle onions and glass all over the floor )
The one that really beat me though was wiping my bum. I used to shout to my OH 'finiiiished' like a toddler so he could come and do it for me

Thanks dead and If. I will practise the bra moves! I’m quite busty - but needs must! Somewhere I have a bralet - not good on the busty but better than nothing. I managed to Wash my short fine hair with one hand -fortunately we have a shower, but a long handled sponge would be helpful. Just squeezing out shampoo from the tube required ingenuity! I’m wondering about dictating too. Could either of you drive with only one arm? My ankle might be ok as we have an automatic car (electric) . We have some nonslip mats in the camper van- so I’ll get those out. I have various veg bought before my fall that may not get eaten if I can’t figure out how to trim them without adding to the injury tally. I managed to pass crushed spuds in their skins as a new dish - I think!

For the shampoo/ conditioner, squeeze some into a shallow dish and put it within reach, prior to showering, then scoop out the amount you want.
This sounds silly, but it worked for me, get one of those dish sponge things that you put washing up liquid in the handle of, but instead of filling it with washing up liquid, fill it with your shower gel. That saves the effort of having to squeeze shower gel onto the sponge.

I couldn't drive with one arm, but only because it would have invalidated my insurance.
Get someone else to do the squeezing if you can.

I definitely couldn't drive; cycled everywhere but it was very dangerous and unbalanced with my arm strapped to me and stopping usually involved cycling alongside a lamppost and catching the post with my usable arm.

Keep trying. You'll find ways.
DS managed to cycle w/ broken arm but I couldn't.
Some of my broken arms I could drive & some I couldn't (my dad drove fine after his break).
Be glad you don't have a baby in nappies to change several times/day (BTDT).
I got scolded for not showering enough (when staying in house of family where they had no baths).

Hmm yes most things invalidate insurance - I wouldn’t be safe to drive just yet - arm is too painful.. Fortunately ds uses school transport.
Thanks for the shower sponge idea. I’ll try and get one.

Lljkk gosh changing nappies must be so difficult! I have an image of pinning toddler between knees trying to change him! I have broken my wrist (scafoud) before and although a nuisance ( I had a removeable brace) it was much easier to manage. Possibly because I could use my elbow and shoulder ok.
Dead that sounds brave!

Not brave so much as daft and needs must!!

OP - I promise you it does get easier.

I broke my wrist last year and had surgery with a plate inserted two weeks later. I work full time and I am in my 60s. Once I got over the shock, I was fine.

It was my dominant hand too, but I taught myself to write with my other hand.

Regarding bras, I bought some bralettes from M&S and put them on putting my broken wrist in first. I wore easy pull on clothes and trainers with elastic laces. I washed my hair over the hand basin and used a jug. I did have regular manicures as I could not cut my nails. I ate lots of soup and cereals.

I could not drive, so I walked and got the bus everywhere.

Good luck - the only other advice I would give is to do any physio exercises given to you religiously. They really make a difference. Now, I rarely think about my wrist, I am doing everything I used to do (including handstands in yoga :) ) and I forget about having a plate in my wrist too.

I broke my wrist just before Christmas - great timing! I've found it has got a lot easier to do things over the last couple of weeks, so practice is the key. Some things I've just had to let slide (table manners!) or ask my DC to do for me (which they are rapidly getting bored with). Bras have been a major issue but luckily I can just about get away without one. Had to ask DS to help me out of one the day I had my accident, which was no fun for either of us . My cooking repertoire has diminished somewhat too but they'll just have to help or live with it! I've just about managed to wash my hair okay but brushing it is very tricky (v long knotty hair). I cannot wait to get this damn cast off.

Dd2 was born with one hand. Basically you can do anything but you may take longer to work it out.

Chattier thank you for your encouragement. I am only a little younger than you. I have looked up exercises to do for my wrist elbow and shoulder and am now getting some movement back all be it minimal- but progress at last! My left hand typing and writing is painfully slow!
Roomba - sorry you are in the same boat! I am getting better at chopping with my left hand and the.menus have been simplified. I’ve given up with bra wriggle -although I still try each day im not back at work yet. So can get away with the baggy look!
The oddest thing is I decided to have a warm bath to try to draw the bruising and swelling out and whilst my normal thin arm could sink my swollen injured arm just floated! Still I think it helped the ankle.
Witchend- it certainly takes me longer. Part of the problem is being so un practised with my left hand- I have sympathy for small children leaning to write/ use scissors/ eat with cutlery! I have found pockets very useful and a stiff handled bag that can be slid in my uninsured arm , to carry items whilst opening doors etc.