Hi music elevation is the key
massage helps too.
After the pneumonia my PALS had incredible hand swelling compared to what we had thought was swelling before that. I was seriously worried we were going to have his wedding rings cut off.
I started massage on the left hand in particular and was so pleased with how much swelling I got rid of ... until I found this fluid lump sitting behind his elbow ... yup I literally had managed to move the swelling up the line!
Talk to a PT about massage for swelling, I discovered that you do have follow a strategy to remove swelling from an extremity without just dumping it somewhere else :shock:
When up during the day, sitting with your hands propped up, and possibly with braces on if the hands are curling in will definitely help. I know it's not ideal, but as you noticed the swelling is reduced in bed, then it's important.
Chris also had incredible heat retention in his hands once the swelling really started and we ended with fungal infections ...