Effective Resting Hand Splint Wearing Schedules for Rheumatoid Arthritis Management

Understanding Resting Hand Splints for Rheumatoid Arthritis

For those suffering from rheumatoid arthritis in their hands and wrists, resting hand splints can provide much needed relief and support. Hand splints immobilize and stabilize the joints, allowing inflammation to subside while preventing further damage. Determining the right wearing schedule is crucial to gain the most benefits. This article provides key information on how to use hand splints effectively.

Why Wear Resting Hand Splints

Rheumatoid arthritis causes painful inflammation in the tendons and lining of joints. As the disease advances, it can destroy cartilage and bone. The joints of the hands and wrists are often the first to be impacted. Typical symptoms include:

• Joint pain, swelling, and stiffness
• Decreased range of motion and strength
• Deformities in finger and wrist joints

Resting hand splints limit movement of the affected joints. This helps to alleviate inflammatory pain, prevent further joint damage, correct alignment, and support weak joints or tendons.

Types of Resting Hand Splints

There are a few common options when choosing a resting splint:

• Wrist splints immobilize the wrist in a neutral position.
• Finger splints isolate individual fingers or toe joints straight.
• Thumb spica splints support and align the thumb joints and wrist.
• Palmar resting splints hold the entire hand and wrist in correct alignment.

An occupational therapist can recommend the best type of splint and proper wearing schedule based on your specific symptoms and lifestyle needs.

When to Wear Resting Hand Splints

It is generally recommended to wear resting hand splints at times when the joints are inflamed, painful, or overused such as:

• At night while sleeping
• During flare-ups of joint pain and swelling
• For several hours after repetitive hand tasks and activities
• While resting the hands when possible throughout the day

Wearing the splints consistently at these key times allows inflamed joints prolonged rest to heal while minimizing stiffness and deformity.

Splint Wearing Schedule Considerations

It’s important that your doctor or therapist creates a customized wearing schedule for your splints. Factors they will consider include:

• Which joints are impacted and level of inflammation or deformity
• Your daily living, work, exercise, and sleep habits
• Comfort and fit of the splints for longer term wear

Be sure to convey your individual needs and symptoms completely so the schedule is tailored for you.

Typical Splint Wearing Timeframes

Below are general guidelines that can be adjusted as needed:

• Overnight - 6 to 8 hours of wear while sleeping
• Post-activity - 1 to 2 hours of rest after repetitive tasks
• During flare-ups - 2 to 4 hours at a time, several times per day
• Daytime rest periods - 30 to 60 minutes of rest every 2 to 3 hours

Keeping a log to track when you wear the splints and symptoms can help tailor the timeframes with your doctor.

Precautions When Wearing Splints

It is important to closely monitor for any negative impact or complications when wearing hand splints such as:

• Skin irritation, redness, or blisters
• Numbness or bluish discoloration
• Increased pain, swelling, or stiffness
• Weakened grip strength or dexterity

Notify your doctor is any of these occur so adjustments can be made. Gentle range of motion exercises while not wearing the splint can also help prevent stiffness in the joints.

Integrating Splint Wear Into Daily Life

Making splint wear a consistent habit requires some lifestyle adjustments such as:

• Wearing loose fitting clothing and shoes to accommodate splints
• Modifying tasks at home and work that require hand and wrist motions
• Taking frequent breaks to remove splints and exercise joints
• Keeping splints easily accessible to put on/off throughout day
• Setting phone alerts to reminder yourself of wear timeframes

Start by wearing splints at your most symptomatic and resting times, then increase wear from there. Stay committed to the schedule recommended for best results.

In Conclusion

Resting hand splints play an integral role in managing rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and progression. By providing stability, support, and rest to inflamed joints, they can greatly reduce pain while preventing deformity. Be sure to obtain splints designed specifically for your needs and follow the wearing schedule recommended by your doctor. With some lifestyle adjustments to accommodate regular splint wear, you’ll be on your way toward gaining relief and restoring function.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.