The Best Ergonomic Writing Tools for Aching Joints (2023)

If a condition like arthritis, carpal tunnel, or wrist tendinitis affects your daily life, writing can be a challenge. That's why there are ergonomic writing tools to relieve tension and promote healthier wrist positioning.

“You really want to make sure that you’re comfortable and not causing additional concerns,” says Karen Jacobs, OT, MS, EdD, an occupational therapist and clinical professor at Boston University. When looking for a writing tool, Dr. Jacobs recommends getting a pen with wide grips to reduce hand pain or inflammation.“But if we are looking at someone who struggles to write because they have tremors, like with Parkinson’s disease, you may want a heavier-weighted pen towards the bottom of the pen, closer to where the ink would be coming out.”

We researched dozens of ergonomic writing tools and evaluated them for grip, weight, price, padding, and added features. A doctor of internal medicine and rheumatology fellow from our Medical Expert Board then reviewed the contents of this article for medical accuracy surrounding what to look for in ergonomic writing tools and who would benefit from using them.

Here are the best writing tools on the market today.

What to Look for in an Ergonomic Writing Tool

Ergonomic Features

For arthritis pain relief, look for pens or writing tools that are wider in diameter to give you a loser grip. Take into account what your needs are. Do you only feel your hands hurt at work after writing for long periods of time? Or does picking up any writing utensil for any amount of time cause pain? There are options that attach to the pens you already have, and single pens built for those with arthritis.

Don’t just rely on a writing utensil being advertised as ergonomic, though, when making a decision between devices available on the market. “Consumers need to be aware that just because it says ergonomics on it doesn’t mean it’s necessarily a good design,” Dr. Jacobs says. “They should consider getting a few different writing instruments and trying them. Some are more expensive than others but I don’t think you have to necessarily spend a lot of money to help with any type of swelling, pain, or tenderness you’re experiencing when you’re using a pen.”

Multi-Use Functionality

If you find yourself writing often, you may want to opt for a grip holder over a pen. This allows you to transfer the device to different writing utensils, so you don't have to buy a bunch of separate, arthritis-friendly pens. If you're into art or swap between pens and pencils often, a grip may be a better option for you. “They’re aids and they're not expensive, so if you’re in love with something that you already have and you’re finding that it is harder to hold it, these very inexpensive pencil grips can be purchased,” Dr. Jacobs says.

No matter if the grip is removable or included on the writing utensil, it’s important to consider that portion of the device when deciding between different ones. “It would be beneficial to have something that has a flexible or more modified grip so that someone can use it, even if they don’t have full functionality of their hand and joints, and are able to still perform the functions that they want to,” says Nilanjana Bose M.D., a rheumatologist with Memorial Hermann in Houston, Texas.

Alterations in Home Life

Changing the writing utensils that you use is just one way to address difficulties when writing and performing other daily tasks. “Looking at all of our instrumental activities for daily living is really important,” Dr. Jacobs says. “The writing utensils are just one thing to consider.” One option available to people is to look into assistive technology that is out there to help improve performing daily tasks. “The ability to use diction tools and voice recording is really helpful in today's day and age,” Dr. Bose says. “We should definitely embrace technology to its fullest.“

But it also important to understand your condition and “the root cause of the problem,” Dr. Bose says. “If it is something treatable like rheumatoid arthritis, maybe get that treated.” There are also exercises that people can implement daily that will help release tension and pain within the finger joints and other parts of the hand. “Employ proper exercises for the joints like squeeze balls and finger grip strengtheners,” Dr. Bose says. “Also be on track with medication.” Together, these different recommendations can help manage the symptoms you might be feeling and improve your daily life.

Why Trust Verywell Health

As a health writer with over eight years of experience, Brittany Leitner understands how important access to information is when it comes to making educated health decisions. She has interviewed dozens of medical experts, tested out hundreds of products, and aims to provide quality recommendations that won't break the bank.

Additional reporting to this story by Danielle Zoellner

As a seasoned health writer, Danielle Zoellner knows the importance of finding just the right product to fit your medical needs. Throughout her career, Danielle has interviewed a variety of experts in the medical and health fields while reviewing dozens of products. Her experience and knowledge in the field work together to help readers like yourself find the best products for your daily life.