ARTHRITIS AND JOINT PROTECTION

WHAT IS ARTHRITIS?

• Inflammation in the joints of the body
• Swelling, redness, decreased movement and pain
• Three major types: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid and gout
• Pain, swelling and stiffness are common symptoms
• Bone spurs, bunions and deformities may occur

OSTEOARTHRITIS

• A disease that causes the breakdown of cartilage in joints
• It limits it's attack to individual joints
• It is associated with joints that wear down with age
• Up to age 45, more common in men
• Over age 54 more common in women

SYMPTOMS OF OA

• Usually begins slowly and appears as a minor ache
• Pain is felt after the affected joint is overused
• Joint becomes stiff, although person can still move
• Seen most commonly in weight bearing joints:
• Hips, knees, spine, hands

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

• A chronic, systemic autoimmune condition
• Long lasting and involves multiple body systems
• The immune system is attacking itself
• A series of "flare ups" and "remissions"
• Systemic symptoms include: fatigue, loss of appetite,fever

GOUT

• A metabolic disease marked by urate, a by-product of the kidneys
• Most common site is involvement of the big toe
• Occurs mostly in middle aged men (ages 40-50)
• Rare in women until after menopause
• Symptoms include: extreme heat, pain, redness and swelling

TREATMENTS FOR ARTHRITIS

• Therapeutic activity and exercise help promote joint function
• Avoid overworking one group of muscles
• Splinting the hands can give relief
• Use of assisting devices (longer handles, lightweight tools,etc..)
• Joint protection principles

JOINT PROTECTION

• Used to minimize your risk of injury during daily activities
• Techniques are especially good for osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis
• Keep a journal of especially difficult tasks
• Contact a rheumatologist or an occupational therapist
• Respect pain and listen to your body!

Respect Pain!
Pain is the body's way of telling us that something is wrong.
Rule: pain that lasts more than 1-2 hours after completing the task means that the task was too stressful. Break up the task next time into smaller parts.

Maintain muscle strength and muscle range of motion.
Use each joint to it's maximum available range of motion.
Example: when ironing, use long flowing strokes, straightening and bending the arm as much as possible.

Avoid positions that put stress on affected joints.
The "normal" way of doing something may be needed to change so joints are stabilized.
Example: holding a knife with the whole hand instead of just fingers

Hand positions to avoid:

• Tight pinching
• Squeezing
• Twisting motions
• Pressure on just fingers
• Prolonged finger grasping or pinching

USE OF ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT

• Decreased range of motion
• Impaired grasp
• Decreased energy
• Decreased strength
• Deformities

DECREASED RANGE OF MOTION & IMPAIRED GRASP

• Lengthen handles
• Reachers
• Long handled shoe horn
• Built up handles on utensils
• Larger handles

Decreased energy and strength
Lightweight tools, use of electric tools (can opener),
Extended faucet handles and adapted key holders

ADAPTIVE SOLUTIONS CATALOG

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