Can Crochet Cause Arthritis

While crocheting in its current form has been around since the 1800s, it experienced a surge in popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly during lockdown periods, alongside other arts and crafts. This is no surprise, since it’s a great way to unwind, relieve stress, express creativity, and even make something that can be given as a gift. However, if you’ve ever crocheted for long periods without a break, you may have felt pain, stiffness, and fatigue in your hands and fingers, and you might wonder: Does crocheting cause arthritis? In this article, you will learn about arthritis and its two most common types. You will also discover whether crocheting can cause arthritis and find strategies to enjoy this creative craft without experiencing pain.

What is Arthritis?

Arthritis is a condition that affects the joints, including the hands and fingers, knees, hips, feet, ankles, and wrists. It causes pain, swelling, and stiffness in these areas of the body, which can restrict a person’s ability to move or perform certain activities. While it is common in older adults and often worsens with age, younger people can also be affected. Apart from age, some common reasons that can influence whether a person develops arthritis throughout their life include joint injuries, repetitive motion, genetics, autoimmune diseases, infections, and obesity. While there are many different types of arthritis, the two most common forms are the following:

Osteoarthritis often affects the hands, knees, hips, and spine. Over time, the cartilage that protects the ends of your bones in your joints wears down, causing them to eventually rub against each other, which can lead to typical arthritis symptoms.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic, autoimmune disease, and most often appears in women between 30 and 60. The immune system attacks healthy joint tissue, leading to inflammation and arthritis symptoms in the hands, wrists, knees, and feet, and often affects both sides of the body, as well as other organs, such as the lungs, heart, and eyes.

Can Crochet Cause Arthritis?

Although crocheting does not directly cause arthritis, prolonged crocheting without breaks can irritate your joints due to the repetitive hand movements involved. This can lead to symptoms such as hand strain, tendonitis, or inflammation, and may feel similar to arthritis. Crocheting is unrelated to rheumatoid arthritis and also cannot cause osteoarthritis on its own. However, people who already experience pain in their joints or have been diagnosed with arthritis may see their symptoms worsen through repetitive hand movements. Interestingly, for others, engaging in crocheting may be beneficial in keeping their fingers and hands from getting stiff and maintaining their fine motor skills and flexibility.

To ensure you can continue to enjoy this creative craft, consider taking a few precautionary steps. This can involve using ergonomic crochet hooks or compression gloves, incorporating finger stretches into your crocheting routine, and taking frequent breaks. It can also be beneficial to place a pillow under your arm to reduce wrist strain, change positions frequently, and avoid crocheting whenever you notice pain, inflammation, or fatigue in your hands.

How Can Arthritis be Treated?

If you suffer from arthritis, know that there are several ways to manage your condition and control your pain. These may include heat and cold therapy, physical therapy, engaging in low-impact exercises such as walking and swimming, maintaining a healthy body weight, eating an anti-inflammatory diet and drinking enough water. Additionally, a variety of medications are available to help improve your everyday life, including Amjevita, Arthrotec, and Celebrex. Although there is currently no cure for arthritis, working closely with your doctor to develop a personalized treatment plan can help you keep taking part in the activities you enjoy.