Stuff to help a one-armed man?

February 28, 2007 7:01 PM

What should I buy to make life with a broken arm more bearable?

For instance, I always thought that electric can openers were stupid and for lazy people, but they seem like a fabulous invention right now.

posted by smackfu to home & garden (14 comments total)

Might be a good time to buy a one handed keyboard, there are lots of good ones, and it might stand you in good stead for the future!

Oh.. and an automatic car if you have a stick shift ;-)
posted by wackybrit at 7:19 PM on February 28, 2007

A suicide knob.
posted by caddis at 7:45 PM on February 28, 2007

House cleaning services. Having recently endured life with a broken arm, I can tell you that daily life requires far more effort than you might imagine. Focus on what really matters to you -- and then either let the rest slide or hire someone to take care of chores. Also -- whip out the plastic and forget cooking. However, you don't really "have" to have a broken arm to live by the previous thoughts!
posted by peace_love_hope at 7:53 PM on February 28, 2007

one of those long arm grabber things so you dont have to move your arm...
posted by Jenny is Crafty at 7:59 PM on February 28, 2007

For some reason the hyperlink did not show? Anyways, here it is AGAIN
posted by Jenny is Crafty at 8:01 PM on February 28, 2007

A long bamboo chopstick, the 12-18" length kind one sees at Asian grocery stores. At some point, you'll be happy to have it around to ease under-cast itches.
posted by jamaro at 8:26 PM on February 28, 2007

Careful with the bamboo -- you definitely don't want splinters in there. I like longer coffee swizzle sticks. Here's an older thread about broken arms.
posted by sonofslim at 9:08 PM on February 28, 2007

If you can find one, how about a Spyderco Maddox? It's a table knife designed for one-handers, so you don't have to ask for help cutting your food.
posted by meowzilla at 9:13 PM on February 28, 2007

Along the lines of the Spyderco Maddox, search Amazon for "ulu" - same idea, but the handle is parallel to the blade, making it (IMHO) easier to control - a bit less stabby and a bit more slicey.
posted by spaceman_spiff at 10:42 PM on February 28, 2007

Things that helped when I broke my wrist and it required surgery to put it back together - I took the pain pills the surgeon prescribed. I slept a lot the first week. I took as much time off work as I could (nearly three weeks), and for the first week back, I only worked half-days. Friends and family bought groceries and did some meal preparation. I already had a house-cleaning service. I hired an unemployed friend to do my laundry for two weeks. I bought work-appropriate slip-on shirts and shoes that were easy to get on. I bought extra pillows for a comfortable position for my arm when sleeping. If you need physical therapy, go to every appointment and do your exercises daily. My Mom bought me a one-handed jar opener that I never could get to work. I used a plastic chopstick for the itching.
posted by slowstarter at 11:05 PM on February 28, 2007

The resident Cast Expert recommmends canned air for itching casts. It's makes a cool spot and dries out the area without running the risk of scratching the skin, which can end up infected under the cast.
posted by unrepentanthippie at 5:16 AM on March 1, 2007

About 30 years ago I broke my arm, and had an L-shaped cast (immobilizing my elbow as well) for about 6 weeks. I used some long thin items to scratch under that cast, and I still have a small round scar on my wrist from it. So yeah, be careful about the scratching.

Oh, and at first I was going to say spring for some vicodin, but after the first day or two, it didn't hurt.
posted by claytonius maximus at 8:36 AM on March 1, 2007

I have percocet, so don't worry on that front.
posted by smackfu at 10:39 AM on March 1, 2007

BTW, 2 years ago I asked the question Is learning to snowboard inherently dangerous? Guess how I broke my arm this time.
posted by smackfu at 12:51 PM on March 22, 2007