Resting the hand is essential and using of tools such as scissors contributes to stress. It helps to keep a mulched out 'buffer area' between grass and gardens (such as newspaper covered with wood chips or chopped leaves) and to use a long handled tool such as a pointed hoe or tools specific for edging. If the hoe handle is difficult to gripe it can be wrapped something to make it more comfortable to grasp. EP

I use a half-moon shovel, from K-mart.

Best of luck on your surgery. Just a word of warning, it might seem much worse for some time afterwards. But then when things are totally healed, you'll be glad you had it done. Or at least I was. I had mine done about 7-8 years ago. Pretty good result, especially since the neurologist warned me I had LOTS of nerve damage. I still wear my wrist braces to bed at night during gardening season, or I'll go numb.

Oh, and scissoring seems to be one of the worst things for my wrists. I gave up on using a hand shears or scissors in the garden.

Here's to not waking up at two A.M. with the arms on fire!
cantstop

There is an edger at HD brand name called hedge hog price is around 25 bucks. I plan on getting one this spring so I use it to edge. It has a half moon circle blade with a top stepper.

Barb