By now you should already know that arthritic joints are prone to collapse or zigzag deformities and these can be aggravated by daily resistive hand use. Aside from using joint protection techniques, the use of hand splints or braces may be an effective part of your daily management of symptoms. Hand splints are highly recommended for those who are experiencing persistent and severe pain on their joints or those who already have visible joint swelling and/or deformities.

     Hand splints for arthritis are removable braces that serve three functions:

 1. Decrease pain levels on joints by placing them at their resting or neutral positions. Neutral positions of joints are where the tendons and ligaments around the joint are placed at a balanced or relaxed state (no tension). Joints that are placed at neutral positions are less pain sensitive.
 
2. Improve function of weak joints by supporting them at their functional positions. Functional positions of joints are the most effective positions for grasping or pinching. These types of splints prevent the buckling or collapse of weak joints when you use your hands to heavy grasping or pinching tasks.
 
3. Prevent aggravation of deformities by realigning and supporting successive joints at normal positions. When tendons are misaligned by prolonged joint swelling, they can pull a joint further into a deformity pattern with every hand movement. This effect can be minimized by supporting joints at proper alignment using hand splints. Splints may not correct existing deformities. These deformities are caused by permanent joint damage. Splints can however, arrest or prevent the progression of arthritic deformities (research).

     Splints for arthritis have been designed specifically to position affected joints away from deformity patterns thereby controlling the severity of symptoms. Resting hand splints are usually worn at night. We are unaware of the various deforming positions that we place our hands when we are at sleep. This contributes to joint pain and stiffness patients usually complain of when they wake up in the morning. Resting hands splints may also be worn in the daytime, at times of acute or severe joint pain flare-ups. Functional splints on the other hand are usually worn during hand use. In general, it is not necessary to wear splints on a 24 hour basis. In effect you are still lessening the total amount of time affected joints are left at deformed positions which is beneficial on the long run.

     By having the discipline to use the right splint consistently, you are saving your hands from pain and progressive deformities involved in arthritis. The Joint Savers Store offer state of the art splints that have been tested at the clinic and recommended by occupational and hand therapists.