Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis: conservative therapeutic management.
Hand therapists need to understand the basic science behind the therapy they carry out and the current evidence to make the best treatment decisions. The purpose of this article was to review current conservative therapeutic management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or osteoarthritis (OA) of the hand. Treatment interventions such as orthotics, exercise, joint protection, modalities, and adaptive equipment are discussed from a basic science and evidence-based practice perspective.
Occupational Therapy Department, Grand Valley State University, Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49503, USA. beasleyj@gvsu.edu
Jeanine
J
Beasley
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D006225:Hand / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D013165:Splints; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy