What is joint protection for osteoarthritis?

What is joint protection for osteoarthritis?

Joint protection is a self-management approach that aims to maintain functional ability through changing/adapting working methods and movement patterns of affected joints. This can be with the use of devices such as splints or pacing activities.

What are the joint protection techniques for an arthritic patient?

Joint Protection for Arthritis

• Respect for Pain.
• Rest and Work Balance.
• Reduction of Effort.
• Avoidance of Positions that Cause Deformity.
• Use of Larger/Stronger Joints.
• Use Each Joint Its Most Stable, Anatomic Position.
• Avoidance of Staying in One Position.
• Avoid Activities That Cannot Be Stopped.

What are the principles of joint protection?

Joint Protection: Occupational Therapy Joint Protection Principles

• Respect pain.
• Maintain muscle strength and joint range of motion.
• Wear splints and/or braces.
• Avoid positions of deformity.
• Avoid a tight grasp.
• Avoid pressure against the radial side of each finger (thumb side)

How do you protect joint cartilage?

But you can ease the pain and protect the cartilage you still have….

1. Do aerobic exercise.
2. Build stronger muscles around your joints.
3. Stretch every day.
4. Try glucosamine and chondroitin supplements.
5. Use over-the-counter pain relievers for flare-ups.
6. If home remedies fail, ask your doctor about injections.

What happens to your joints when you have arthritis?

If you have arthritis, several parts of the joint can become damaged. Your bones and cartilage may be damaged and your muscles may weaken, causing the joint to become unstable. This means that the joint may gradually change shape and deformities can develop.

How do you stop arthritis from deforming your fingers?

Moving your hands and fingers can help keep your ligaments and tendons flexible and increase the function of synovial fluid. Try regular hand exercises to strengthen muscles and relieve stiffness and pain. Simple exercises like flexing and bending, finger touching, and finger sliding may help keep your fingers limber.

How can I reverse osteoarthritis in my fingers?

There is no cure, but healthy lifestyle habits and treatments can help manage your symptoms and keep you active. Non-Drug Treatments: Reducing strain on joints with a splint or brace, adapting hand movements, doing hand exercises or using hot or cold therapy can help to ease pain.

Why is joint protection important?

Joint protection is a proven strategy to help you manage rheumatoid arthritis pain and perform daily activities more easily. Arthritic joints can’t tolerate as much stress as healthy joints. Pushing, pulling or twisting motions can be painful.

What is swan neck?

Swan-neck deformity is a bending in (flexion) of the base of the finger, a straightening out (extension) of the middle joint, and a bending in (flexion) of the outermost joint.

How can I reverse osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis can be reversible by chondroprotective agents if the following conditions are met:

1. cartilage remains intact over joint surfaces;
2. subchondral bone is intact;
3. lifestyle changes to reduce pressure on affected joint are followed;
4. analgesic use is kept to a minimum or ideally, not used;

What are the principles of joint protection for arthritis?

Fear of pain can lead to unnecessary inactivity, while total disregard for pain can lead to unnecessary joint damage Avoid flexion and rotation of the wrist during activities such as stirring; hold items with a finger grip, like a dagger Avoid or minimize excessive stretch of joint ligaments.

What’s the best way to protect your joints?

Joint Protection for Arthritis 1 Respect for Pain. 2 Rest and Work Balance. 3 Avoidance of Positions that Cause Deformity. 4 Use of Larger/Stronger Joints. 5 Use Each Joint Its Most Stable, Anatomic Position. 6 (more items)

What can a hand therapist do for osteoarthritis?

Hand therapists can teach joint protection exercises and activity modification to help protect joints. Anti-inflammatory medication or a steroid injection into the joint can decrease pain, but neither cures osteoarthritis. Surgery is considered when the non-surgical options above have not helped.

What is the best way to treat osteoarthritis?

The goals in treating osteoarthritis are to relieve pain and restore function. Brief rest — either by changing activities or wearing a splint — can help. Soft, snug sleeves can help support a joint when rigid splints are too restrictive. Heat (for example, paraffin wax and warm compresses) can soothe the joints and help keep them mobile.