title: The results of non-operative management of stiff joints in the hand.
abstract: We selected 500 patients randomly from a total of 1300 patients seen in our Hand Rehabilitation Center between 1971 and 1975; 212 of the 500 presented with a chief complaint of stiff hand joints. Of the 212 patients treated non-operatively, 173 responded sufficiently to this treatment alone. Of the 789 stiff joints, 686 responded sufficiently to this treatment alone. The results of this regime of non-operative treatment of stiff joints provide excellent functional improvement in most patients, with a large saving of money through the reduction in disability payments required.
mesh_terms: D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000191:economics / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D008662:Metacarpophalangeal Joint; D009068:Movement; D013165:Splints; D014481:United States; D014942:Workers' Compensation