All very good suggestions, if it was me i would just say " don't mean to be rude but i have sore hands, the reasons are complicated and very hard for me to explain " and then quickly turn the attention back on them.

A big smile and a nice greating should well cover the hand shake bit, seeing you have already told them why you can't, without going into a long conversation about the reasons.

Good luck
Brian

Brian how wonderfiul, my grandmother when she could no longing
hear are see,she would just give a beautiful smile when she felt
someone near. We do what is best for us in a polite way..

Or we can just stare at others like this

C yes I agree my finger tips are numb and it is scary..Now
that I can't feel my feet and I get up my brain forgets
to say becareful your going to fall down I go,and then
another broken nose.Now that's scary and i can't breath.

But we manage to survive and keep on trucking..
And K it's good to hear from you,do you know
how much you mean to us,I sure hope so..I'll
here during the holidays,so come by all if you have
time...Hugs to all Sue

I agree Sue, a simple smile says a lot, your grandmother must have been one of those really special people to be able to still give a beautiful smile, even with those terrible health issues to contend with.

Brian