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Arthritis can affect multiple parts of the body, including the fingers, hands and wrists.

This can cause trouble holding items, meaning cooking can become a challenge.

However, a university student has created a saucepan that can help sufferers of the condition retain their independence.

Emma Bucknell, who is studying for a BA (Hons) in Product Design at Nottingham Trent University, has designed it to make cooking more comfortable.

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It has a plastic handle on one side so users can slide their hand through it, meaning the saucepan can be lifted using the strength in the arm as opposed to the hand.

It has a plastic handle on one side so users can slide their hand through it, meaning the saucepan can be lifted using the strength in the arm as opposed to the hand.

The design does away with a traditionally straight saucepan handle, and instead aims to reduce weight and pressure that is placed on peoples fingers and hands.

Bucknell said: I know from my grandparents that arthritis is a painful and uncomfortable condition. My nan struggles with lifting saucepans so I took the opportunity to find a solution to help them.

During research she discovered that long, thin handles can prove a problem for arthritic people, because the hand is forced to perform an unnatural grip while holding on to them.

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She added: I can see that arthritis does not just affect a person with its painful symptoms, it affects their whole life. What many people would see as a simple task, can become difficult and sometimes impossible for those with the condition.

This can destroy independence; the one thing elderly and retired people desire to keep.

The aluminium saucepan is light to hold, and its handle can fit a range of different hand sizes.

It will go on display at the universitys 2017 Degree Show from 3 to 10 June at the City Campus.

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James Dale, principal lecturer in Product Design at Nottingham Trent University, said: Emma has seen first-hand how difficult it can be for people with arthritis to carry out tasks such as cooking and she has used this experience to create a product that could improve peoples confidence and independence.

The saucepan has the potential to go beyond the elderly market and reach others who have the same condition.

According to Arthritis Care, approximately 10 million people suffer from arthritis in the UK.

Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can affect the joints in the hands.

View post:
Arthritis in your hands? This new invention could change your life - Express.co.uk

This entry was posted on May 26, 2017 at 2:41 pm and is filed under Arthritis. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed. |