Oh I no the dreaded handshake, I've become a hermit because of it...I avoid meeting new people and church, if I go I go late so I don't have to do the greeting. I don't have any remedies but it seems like I read some good ones awhile ago. Obviously I never used them but I've come to like not getting out much anymore. I've turned into a real homebody! Anyway do a search and maybe you can find that old post.
Sue

Get a carpel tunnel brace or ace bandage. They're helpful when you're doing something you know might hurt - be it shaking hands or folding laundry. People hesitate and usually won't try shaking your hand when they see a brace/ace. Since I don't like to explain RA to everyone I meet either, I hold up my hand, shrug and say, "plumbing"! Works every time :D

hehehe hope this helps!

Wonderful Idea Episteme! I even have a very light weight skin tone hand brace I could wear. The strap would be a little less noticeable, perhaps, if the color was right. I generally keep my hand busy, holding something, or let my arm hang straight but as they start to shake, I nod, shift my arm back a little and twist my right side away, and nod and smile. Generally, I can stop them before they have gotten their hand started. But I am helped because I am a woman, and not all women shake hands anyway, and many of them with a limp grip.
Also women can offer the tips of their fingers, as was done in olden days, when the prince or knight or such would kiss her hand. Handshakes generally dont know how to deal with this, so they touch lightly, and end the courtesy.
I have heard of letting them raise their right hand, then you raise your left and clasp their hand or just past their wrist with your palm on the back of their hand, of do a light knuckle bump. They will be hesitant because it is an unusual handshake, and either not bump back, or lightly.
You can put a closed fist into their waiting hand; they generally will not grip firmly.
Those I cannot deter with my nodding, I just say, my hands a bit sore today. Then I leave it at that, unless they ask why. Then they are doomed to listen to all the details of RA.!

In some countries such as India, the forearm is extended forward for shaking if the person's right hand is dirty, sweaty, etc.
As this is not a common practice in western countries, it may be met with some puzzlement, but it is an option.
Wearing a carpal tunnel wrist brace does sound like a good idea when you know you're going to have to shake a lot of hands. More are already familiar with wrist injuries and may not even ask any questions. It's those unplanned hand shakes that get you.

I judge a competition where I have to shake hands all day. I found that (and this may be a bit counterintuitive) if you REALLY get your hand in there (meaning getting that space between your thumb and pointer touching theirs) you can at least protect your fingers which are the most sensitive part. I really like the bandage idea above. But you can't always plan for that. So this at least helps.

All I do is grin and bear it. I'm glad i don't meet to many new people that want to shake hands. I do like the brace/bandage idea.

I wish I did have one for you. Once someone sees my hands they do not want to shake my hand. my hands curve into a U shape and they don't know what to say or do. lol

I.ve used the brace/bandage several times. Have even resorted to a sling if I am meeting a lot of people. And I do kiss hello more than I would have done before RA. LOL

This one is tough- I really MUST remember to bring a glove or bandage with me to my next meeting, mostly men, and they all shake hands.
I usually just say "sorry, arthritis". "plumbing" sounds funny, I have to try that one!
Great ideas!

I do find myself hugging hello a lot..the one arm hug! But I think I may sart packing a brace if I think I'm going to get a lot of handshaking!

I too grin and bear it being a Customer Service Rep. With a lot of customer interaction, however reluctantly when acceptable I've switched to the newly formed fist bump yes although its new and not customary you can choose the lightness and think less germs! Ya know with the biologics and comprised immune system problems we can face. Its growing on me

Glad so many liked the brace idea, now I wish I would have mentioned it sooner. I have to give credit for that one to a close relative with psoratic arthritis. It's really made that situation less awkward for me, and as others have mentioned, it helps to avoid handshaking because of all the immunosuppressants we have to take!

I'm in the same boat. Some attorneys try to intimidate me, but I just grin and bear it and mark them on my "asshole list".