Any experience or ideas please adapting pushchair when hand/wtists bad??

[Sara_A]

It's a real long shot and really random question but thought its worth a try as cannot find any info anywhere.

I'm having trouble with my hands and wrists with pushing my toddler in the pushchair and somedays a have to try push her one handed as the other hand is either just too painful or so painful I have to put it in a sling.

I kind of could do with something that I could rest my arm thru the one handle of the pushchair as I have to try push the pushchair with my forearms as I just dont have the strength in my hands and wrists and they just give way and are so painful.

Any ideas gratefully received!!

[PMRpro]

Have you contacted your local Occupational Therapy department? Often they have access to workshops who can make adaptations to normal equipment.

[whisperit]

PMRpro is right, as usual. I had a similar problem when my daughter was little, I had a bad back and was being seen by physios. They arranged for a technician from the OT Dept to custom-make some handle adaptions for her pushchair. A brilliant service! Some OT and Physio Departments nowadays have open access/no appointment clinics or helpline services, so do check out yours x

[Lulutopical]

Hi Sara, I was wondering what pushchair you currently use? Some are very difficult to manoeuvre due to small wheels etc. I highly recommend the very giant but excellent baby jogger x3 summit. It has enormous wheels and almost pushes itself. Best thing I have ever purchased.

Good luck. I hope you find a solution.

[Sara_A in reply to Lulutopical]

Well I used to have a quinny buzz but now she is coming up to 3 I have got a McClaren stroller as thought something really light would be easier for me and it is usually apart from when my hands are bad!

It's an awkward situation because obviously shes big/old enough to walk but also mardy enough to decide she doesn't want to, 5 minutes into the 10 min there and 10 min back school journey! And I just cannot carry her, which has happened on a few occasions that I e tried walking with her on her reins/backpack reins.

I also rely on the pushchair to help me walk a bit too so I'm not sure what I'm going to do when it does have to go anyway will probably need a stick then!

Thanks all will contact ot, I have to definitely wear my wrist thumb splints as no way can I grasp my hands around pushchair handles I kind of hold with a finger and push with a part of arm or elbow or forearm, I must look very odd!! Sometimes on way home my little boy will push one side but he gets fed up after a couple of minutes but can't expect him to do it x

[Lulutopical in reply to Sara_A]

Little light strollers are the worst for wrists, in my experience. The baby jogger x3 summit isn't very popular, so you might find one on Gumtree for a fraction of the price. I used mine until my son was nearly 5 as at the time I walked everywhere and didn't drive then. Poor child was told off a few times by older people who didn't understand he was in there for my benefit, not his. I also couldn't carry him and walked long distances. I'm using it again for my 4 month old, just around the house and in the garden at the moment. It has a grippy straight bar handle. You can easily rest your forearms on there and push. It is technically a jogging pram, but has a swivel front wheel, so is easy to manoeuvre. It is big and heavy though, so no good to you if you live up flights of stairs or are always having to put it in and out of the car. I apologise for sounding like an infomercial, but I really do love mine.