The rheumatoid hand: orthotics as preventative.

The treatment of hand disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with focus on rehabilitation and splinting, is discussed. A review of the data on splinting of hands in RA is included, as is a review of methods for evaluating hand function and staging RA. Recommendations are made for splinting early in the disease course and prior to surgery, rather than late in the course of RA, in an effort to minimize contractures.