Sore hands from dredging?

Ragnor

Ragnor

Sr. Member
Dec 7, 2015
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I was just wondering.....
I spent all last week dredging. Now my hands are just killing me. So I'm wondering if that's normal? I didn't do much all winter last week was my first real spell of heavy activity since last fall. None the less I was a mechanic for 20+ years and I have always had pretty strong hands. I am 43 now. So I'm wondering, Am I just getting old or is it possible there is some aspect to the water that could maybe cause the pain in my knuckles? The water is real cold and of course I was continuously throwing handfuls of 2.5" + rock for 6-8 hours at a time for 5 days strait. Maybe it's normal to have sore hands? After all my entire body was sore after the first 3 days. After all it's work moving a yard of rock and gravel a day every day for a week.

Anyway I been thinking all these things and I just figured I'd ask if other people had had a problem with that or if it's unusual? Am I just getting old? lol
 

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Arthritis and cold water do not go well together. Yeah arthritis. My doctor says everyone over 35 has it. You'll be alright. just stop aggravating it. Now, show us the gold.
 

Dredger hands,,,, ,yep that's normal if you are doing it right!
 

Double gloves, white cotton gloves inside helps but the first month of dredge season always puts you in the hurting place-John
 

it gets better the more you do it
Typically soreness is from a new type of movement. If it isn't causing damage your just getting used to it.

Stretch and warm up no matter how small the muscle group.
 

I usually take Ibuprofen for a couple days to help the soreness and swelling.
 

Yep if you don't hurt you're not doing it right! I deal with the same stuff dredging I'm 14 yrs older and also a retired autobody guy.
 

Hoser John said:
Double gloves, white cotton gloves inside helps but the first month of dredge season always puts you in the hurting place-John
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cotton and cold water dont mix, uh i though most outdoors men knew that- cotton inside of gloves , thats just making you hands loose heat, dont listen to that guy- get some kevlar tipped diving gloves 3-6mm and you will not get cold.

dredging with cotton gloves is like seeing a nor cal surfer with cotton gloves, a stupid idea no one would recommend, most snow run off is colder than the ocean- cotton gloves? thats just not going to keep you warm and it will make your hands worse. I dont know any sane person that would do that for hours in cold water and not protect your hands with wetsuit type thermal protection. maybe he uses cotton socks too, I will stick to hardcore diving booties with tred on the bottom.

work smarter- and dont wear cotton in cold water and expect it to protect vital extremities, expect hypothermia and aggravated arthritis
 

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I like neoprene socks and wading boots better than the diving booties.
 

You're talking about John being wrong, so I have to disagree. Besides, the OP never said anything about dredging in cold water.
 

enamel7 said:
You're talking about John being wrong, so I have to disagree. Besides, the OP never said anything about dredging in cold water.
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You meatball, read the Op, he said the water was cold, real cold.
John is wrong to advise him to wear cotton in cold water, fact buddy, cotton also absorbed 27 times it weight in water and wicks heat away from body. That is why outdoorsman wear wool or synthstics, not cotton. There is a saying amongst outdoorsman, cotton kills
 

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Garrote Gold, stop the insults or lose the right to post for awhile....
 

All that work and perspiration might be deleting magnesium levels in the body. Tums is magnesium and calcium and won't hurt you a bit. If you ever scuba dive and get a calf cramp, it is horrible and painful. Just a sign of magnesium depletion. If the hands don't get better soon, try a silk glove liner. I know here in the Colorado winters a silk shirt next to the skin is a huge force multiplier to staying warm. I just buy any old ugly silk shirt at the thrift store and wear it under my wool sweater, goretex , parka etc. Not sure if silk gloves as liners would work for you, but it is probably worth a try.
 

To the OP....I was a mechanic and bodyman at a second job and weekends since High School. Also worked concrete for years during the day. I've really slowed down the past few years. I've really abused my body in the past. Have to use it up before we get old right?

And yes! It's normal! My hands can't handle the cold like they use to, from using the air compressors all those years. They would get so cold in the winter our air tools would freeze up.

I've recently started doing stuff again (manual labor) and I thought I was going to die the first week!! Haha...Hands,back, knees, etc...It all works out with a little time. I'm close to the same age as you....It's just the time of life were stuff hurts. :laughing7: Just have to plug forward...It will either break or go away!:laughing7:
 

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Garrote Gold said:
i was not banned under another name....... why are you here saying things that are not true? thats the second time you have been wrong on this thread!
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Excuse me, I wasn't speaking to you. But since you wish to continue this discussion, you were correct. He did say cold water. My concern, which has already been addresses, is your responses to others. John made a statement and instead of you just giving your opinion, you attacked him. What has he done to you? I then make a response and you call me a name. You must not do well playing with others, oh well, that's just the way it is. In a forum there has to be a certain element of decorum. To attack others will get you nowhere fast, except being blocked and having only conversations with yourself. I'll choose blocking you. You try to have a good day!
 

Garrote Gold said:
i was not banned under another name....... why are you here saying things that are not true? thats the second time you have been wrong on this thread!
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Excuse me, I wasn't speaking to you. But since you wish to consider this discussion, you were correct. He did say cold water. My concern, which has already been addressed, is your responses to others. John made a statement and instead of you just giving your opinion, you attacked him. What has he done to you? I then make a response and you call me a name. You must not do well playing with others, oh well, that's just the way it is. In a forum there has to be a certain element of decorum. To attack others will get you nowhere fast, except being blocked and having only conversations with yourself. I'll choose blocking you. You try to have a good day!
 

enamel7 said:
Excuse me, I wasn't speaking to you. But since you wish to consider this discussion, you were correct. He did say cold water. My concern, which has already been addressed, is your responses to others. John made a statement and instead of you just giving your opinion, you attacked him. What has he done to you? I then make a response and you call me a name. You must not do well playing with others, oh well, that's just the way it is. In a forum there has to be a certain element of decorum. To attack others will get you nowhere fast, except being blocked and having only conversations with yourself. I'll choose blocking you. You try to have a good day!
Click to expand...

do yourself a favor and google cotton clothes and water, find me one link that recommends it besides your best friend. Dont take my word for it.
 

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