Why Use Hand Splints for Osteoarthritis?

A painful and debilitating condition, osteoarthritis is common in older adults and typically affects the joints of the hands. Although various treatments exist for osteoarthritis, hand splints are commonly used to treat the disease nonsurgically.

Identification

• As explained by the Electronic Textbook of Hand Surgery, "osteoarthritis is a deterioration of the moving parts of the joint." In the hand, osteoarthritis typically affects the small joints in the fingers and the basal joint of the thumb, leading to pain, swelling and loss of function.

Function

• A hand splint supports the affected joints by holding them in the proper anatomical position. Additionally, a hand splint reduces the stress placed on the joints during various activities, which typically decreases the individual's pain experiences.

Considerations

• Hand splints are commonly used in conjunction with injections, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. These injections contain long-term anesthetic and steroids that provide pain relief for several weeks to several months

Risks

• Wearing a hand splint for too long leads to muscle atrophy in the hands and fingers. Since muscles are important in stabilizing the already-damaged joints, muscle atrophy should be prevented.

Prevention

• To prevent the risk of muscle atrophy related to hand splints, remove the splint every few hours and engage in gentle finger and hand stretching exercises. The University of Washington School of Medicine website provides sample stretching exercises.