Patient/caregiver was educated on measures to reduce the effort and workload for individuals with gouty arthritis as follows:
Certain arrangements and minor modifications can help improve safety, reduce the effort and workload for individuals with gouty arthritis. Use of ergonomically designed tools can help improve independence and reduce the risk for exacerbation of arthritic pain.
- The dressing stick can be used to put the pants on without bending much. Be comfortably seated and put the dressing stick through one leg opening to hold it wide open and put one leg in first. The dressing stick could then be inserted into the second leg opening to hold it wide open and put the second leg in. Then, you can pull the pants a little up the knee, stand straight up and pull the pants into place.
- The dressing stick can also be used to remove the pants off without bending much. While in standing position, loosen the pant at the waist and drop the pant down below the knee. Then, be comfortably seated and put the dressing stick through one leg opening to hold it wide open and pull one leg out first. The dressing stick could then be inserted into the second leg opening to hold it wide open and pull the second leg out too.
- Using a dressing stick can help pull the sock off the foot and prevent bending down. Insert the dressing stick between your leg and the sock on the side of your leg, slide the stick slowly to the back of the leg, and push it off of the back of the heel.
