[Occupational therapy after rheumatoid hand surgery].

Occupational therapists face a number of challenges in the after-treatment of rheumatoid hand surgery. They have to take into account the specialties of the surgery and the remaining deformities of the rheumatoid hand. Edema prophylaxis and scar treatment are similar for all patients, while splinting and functional training depend greatly on the different kinds of surgery. Both splinting and mobilization have to be adjusted to patient and process of the therapy. The protracted treatment requires a high compliance of the patient. Instruction and information about operation and postoperative therapy support comprehension and cooperation of the patient.