A hand carefully turning a wind-up toy style doorknob.

Tips for Opening All Kinds of Doors with RA

Unlocking doors, using keys, and twisting handles can be difficult when you have rheumatoid arthritis pain in your hands. Occupational therapist and our RheumatoidArthritis.net patient advocate Cheryl Crow is here to share some tips to make opening doors easier and less challenging.

Key grips help RA pain

In this video, Cheryl Crow explains how she uses a special key grip aid to help her twist the key to her front door with less pain.

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Twisting knob handles with RA

Cheryl demonstrates two ways to open knob shaped, or circle shaped door handles. She shows how you can add a grip aid and a rubber band to make it easier to twist the handle.

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Tips to open car doors with RA

Finally, Cheryl demonstrates how to use a jar aid and an alternate grip to reduce the pain and strain on your hand joints when opening car doors.

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Check out some of Cheryl's other video series:
RA Life Hacks for the Kitchen
Posture and Stretching Tips for Costochondritis
Thermotherapy: Hot and Cold for Pain and Inflammation

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The RheumatoidArthritis.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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