Splinting finger joints at night can reduce osteoarthritis pain and deformity

 People with osteoarthritis that affects their finger joints could benefit from the use of splints overnight, says research published in Rheumatology.

Arthritis in the joints of the fingers is often painful, debilitating and can lead to deformity. Few cost-effective, evidence-based therapy options are available.

So UK experts gave 26 people with painful, deforming hand osteoarthritis custom-made splints, which they wore every night for three months. Assessments were carried out at the start of the study and after three and six months.

The splits reduced pain at three and six months and prevented deformity.

“Short-term night-time DIP joint splinting is a safe, simple treatment modality that reduces DIP joint pain and improves extension of the digit, and does not appear to give rise to non-compliance, increased stiffness or joint restriction,” conclude the researchers.

(DIP means distal interphalangeal joints, ie the joints of the fingers)