Experts including Shaun Bogart, MS, OTR/L, CHT, occupational therapist and hand therapist at HSS discuss tips for caring for your wrists and hands with rheumatoid arthritis. 

“Our hands are what allow us to interact with our environment,” said Bogart. “Due to these high levels of activity, we often find an imbalance between the demands we place on the hands and how much stress our small finger joints can tolerate.” 

Splints can help to stabilize inflamed joints, reduce pain, and prevent excessive motion. These supportive devices are typically broken down into two categories: resting and functional, Bogart noted. Resting could be forearm- or hand-based, and either mobilize the wrist or just the hand itself. “These are designed to help rest joints and maintain proper alignment and are usually worn during sleep or periods of inactivity,” Bogart said. On the other hand, functional splints are useful if you need support to perform activities throughout the day, Bogart said.

Read the full article at healthcentral.com.