Cutlery for arthritis can be super helpful for those who suffer from conditions that affect hand mobility.
There are a number of conditions that can cause pain and reduced mobility in the hands, wrists and fingers.
But that doesn't mean that people have to live with the daily inconvenience of difficult to use traditional cutlery.
This blog will cover the best adaptive cutlery for arthritis available online and why you should try it.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase we will earn a small commission.
Here’s a summary of what we’ll cover:
- Cutlery for arthritis is designed to help people with limited hand mobility to enjoy pain free mealtimes.
- Hand, wrist and finger pain is caused by many conditions including arthritis, issues with tendons and carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Soft, wide grips or angled heads make it easier to use than traditional cutlery which can be awkward to manoeuvre.
- Using these tools encourages feelings of independence and empowerment.
What is cutlery for arthritis?
Cutlery for arthritis is an adaptive cutlery designed to help people with reduced hand mobility at mealtimes.
Reduced mobility occurs due to arthritis or other conditions that affect the hands, wrists and fingers.
The cutlery for arthritis featured in this article is designed with user comfort and functionality in mind.
How can it help people with arthritis?
Cutlery for arthritis is easy to use which allows people with limited dexterity to maintain independence at mealtimes.
Someone struggling to use traditional cutlery may find it difficult to hold, lift, cut or manoeuvre in order to eat.
With this accessible adaptation to mealtimes, having to use a spoon, or asking a carer to cut food, or to feed them can be avoided.
This encourages feelings of empowerment and independence at mealtimes, which is essential for confidence.
Adapted cutlery designs include features such as:
- Lightweight materials
- Wide, chunky grips
- Bendable or bent spoon and fork heads
- Curved or ribbed handles
- Rounded blades
- Built in hand strap
How can cutlery for arthritis be beneficial?
Cutlery for arthritis is beneficial for people with the condition, as well as those with reduced hand mobility.
There are a number of conditions that can affect hand, wrist and finger mobility.
These conditions can cause pain and discomfort in some cases, but also prevent certain movements.
Adaptive cutlery allows people with limited mobility to spend mealtimes pain free and confident that they can feed themselves.
Comfort
Cutlery for arthritis is designed to be comfortable to hold and often has a wide, soft touch handle.
This supports people who find it difficult to grip small cutlery pieces and prevents drops and damages during use.
Adaptive and ergonomic designs
Many cutlery for arthritis sets use ergonomic design aspects to avoid users having to bend and strain their hands.
Bendable stainless steel heads on forks and spoons allows for seamless transfer of food from plate to mouth.
Additionally, knives are sharp but often have a rounded blade to support easier chopping motion.
Independence at meal times
Feeling comfortable and able to use daily tools like cutlery empowers people with mobility needs to stay independent.
No more having to rely on someone for help, feeling shame at having to ask, or potentially enduring pain.
Cutlery for arthritis puts the power in your own hands while taking away the pain.
What causes reduced hand mobility?
Arthritis can be a real pain, but it can be managed.
You can find out here about safe exercise for arthritis.
And for more information about what causes mobility issues in elderly, head to our advice pages.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Even though it affects the whole body, rheumatoid arthritis commonly affects the joints and tendons of the wrist and fingers.
It causes swelling, pain and affects overall hand mobility.
Check out our article on Rheumatoid arthritis diet: what to eat and what to avoid for more information.
Osteoarthritis
There are lots of different types of arthritis.
However Osteoarthritis is one of the most common, and usually develops in one of 3 places:
- Base of the thumb
- At the end joint closest to the fingertip
- The middle joint of a finger
Carpal tunnel syndrome
CTS is caused when the median nerve is compressed as it passes through the carpal tunnel in the wrist.
This causes many problems as the median nerve governs sensory and motor functions for the thumb and three middle fingers.
Dupuytren contracture
Causes one or more fingers to contract towards the palm.
This is due to tissue knotting under the skin to create a cord that pulls the fingers down.
Although this is a painless condition, it can cause reduced hand mobility.
Tendon issues
Tendon issues commonly affect the hand, wrist and fingers causing swelling, pain and reduced mobility.
Lateral epicondylitis or tennis elbow
Pain on the outside of the elbow and forearm, and along the thumb side when the arm is alongside the body with the thumb turned away.
The pain is caused by damage to the tendons that bend the wrist backward away from the palm.
Medial epicondylitis or golfer’s/ baseball elbow
Pain from the elbow to the wrist on the palm side of the forearm.
The pain is caused by damage to the tendons that bend the wrist toward the palm.
Rotator cuff tendonitis.
Shoulder pain due to inflammation of the shoulder capsule and related tendons.
Trigger finger/trigger thumb
Prevents finger or thumb from straightening or bending and it may lock suddenly causing pain and inhibiting function.
Ganglion cysts
These are small, soft, fluid-filled cysts that can develop in the hand.
While at first they may not cause issues, they can cause aches and irritation.
Cutlery for Arthritis: The best buys
iMedic – Bendable Cutlery Set
This 4 piece bendable cutlery set is a great option for elderly people or those with reduced hand mobility.
Please note that the bendable function is only designed to be used once to bend cutlery into a final position.
Other features include large rubber handles with wide non-slip grip. They come in 2 colours to choose from.
Includes: 1x fork, 1x knife (which is non-bendable) and 2x spoons.
Price: £17.95
Healthman Spork Adaptive Utensils
This single spork unit is simultaneously a fork and a spoon. This means it can be used to shovel food as well as stab it with the prongs.
Other features include an adjustable hand strap for extra support.
Includes: 1x spork, hand strap.
Price: £13.99
NuHorisons Curved Cutlery set
This 3 piece cutlery set is ideal for those who struggle with wrist movements while eating.
The curved design of the fork and spoon allows for better control when getting food onto the utensil.
The designs cater for right and left handed people and can be purchased to suit you.
The cutlery is dishwasher safe and available in black or red design.
Includes: 1x knife, 1x fork, 1x spoon.
Price: £17.99
NRS Healthcare Kura Care Adult Cutlery Set
This is a stylish ergonomically designed cutlery set for people with arthritis and other issues that affect grip.
The 3 piece set is available in a range of colours, is dishwasher safe, latex free and made from stainless steel.
Includes: 1x knife, 1x fork, 1x spoon.
Price: £17.72
Aidapt Bendable Cutlery Set with Utensil Straps
This 6 piece cutlery set is fully bendable and comes with a hand strap to use while eating. It is ideal for those with arthritis or limited grip and arm movement.
Other features of the set include the wide grip handles and dishwasher safe care.
Includes: 3x knife, 3x fork, 3x spoon.
Price: £25.13
Maotrade Soft Grip Cutlery Set
This simple 4 piece cutlery for arthritis set uses non-slip textured handles for easy control and easy grip.
The wider, heavier handle provides stability and added control while eating, perfect for people with reduced mobility.
Includes: 1x knife, 1x fork, 1x spoon and 1x teaspoon.
Price: £12.99
Medipaq Easy Grip Cutlery
With this set you can expect to find the same high quality professional products as used in hospitals, clinics, and nursing homes.
The large rubber handles of the Easy Grip set allow for a comfortable and secure eating experience. Similarly, the sharp knife ensures against difficult cutting while eating.
Includes: 1x knife, 1x fork, 1x spoon and 1x teaspoon.
Price: £13.05
Weighted Good Grips Soup Spoon
Using adaptive cutlery shouldn’t mean that cutlery etiquette goes down the drain.
This soup spoon is ideal for those with limited hand movement who still want to enjoy a nice bowl of soup with the proper utensil.
It has a wide cushioned grip with ribbed edges to stop the spoon slipping out of hands.
It also has a twisting stainless steel shaft, which allows the head of the soup spoon to be bent to any angle for ease of use.
Includes: 1x soup spoon
Price: £14.99
Extra Wide Handles Easy Grip Cutlery Set
This 5 piece cutlery set is a brilliant kitchen addition for anyone struggling with mobility issues affecting their hands.
The extra wide rubber handles promote better grip and make mealtimes easier and pain free.
Includes: 2x knife, 1x fork, 1x spoon and 1x teaspoon.
Price: £14.99
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase we will earn a small commission.
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