Highlights
- •Functional and work disability in people with rheumatic diseases remain high despite advances in medical and pharmacological management
- •Hand therapists can play a vital role in chronic rheumatic disease management to improve self-management and increase participation in meaningful activities.
- •Patients, primary care, and rheumatology providers need to be educated about the scope of services occupational and physical therapy provide beyond the hand impairments.
Abstract
Study design
Invited Clinical Commentary
Background
Arthritis is one of the most frequently reported causes of disability in the United
States and the prevalence is expected to increase in the coming decades. While many
rheumatic diseases involve hand impairments, most are systemic and involve more than
the musculoskeletal system. Functional and work disability are high and people would
benefit from the services of occupational and physical therapists.
Purpose of study
This paper reviews concepts of self-management, and symptoms that contribute to limitations
and restrictions to participation in daily life in people with rheumatic diseases
and suggests roles for hand therapists beyond the immediate hand impairments.
Methods
The impact of selected rheumatic diseases on functional and work disability are reviewed
along with strategies for symptom management and self-management. Upper extremity
impairments of selected rheumatic diseases are also discussed.
Results
The role for hand therapists in evaluating and addressing the complex needs of persons
with rheumatic diseases, including less common diseases, is discussed. Outcome measures
for fatigue, muscle involvement, ergonomics and computer use, and work disability
are introduced. Finally, strategies for self-management and prevention of work and
functional disability, along with symptom management for fatigue and pain are presented.
Conclusion
Hand therapists can play a vital role in chronic rheumatic disease management to improve
self-management and increase participation in meaningful activities. Patients, primary
care and rheumatology providers need to be educated about the scope of services occupational
and physical therapists provide beyond the hand impairments.
Keywords
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JHT Read for Credit
Quiz: # 870
Record your answers on the Return Answer Form found on the tear-out coupon at the back of this issue or to complete online and use a credit card, go to JHTReadforCredit.com. There is only one best answer for each question.
- # 1.The authors emphasize the role of
- a.NSAIDs
- b.caretaker efficiency
- c.self-management
- d.proper use of orthotic devices
- a.
- # 2.A National Health Survey found that approximately
- a.2/3 of patients were women
- b.2/3 of patients were male
- c.50% were female and 50% were male
- d.70% were left handed
- a.
- # 3.Well recognized is the existence of ______________ along with the rheumatoid disease
- a.depression
- b.fatigue
- c.anxiety
- d.all of the above
- a.
- # 4.The typical hand deformity accompanying scleroderma is
- a.claw hand
- b.swan neck
- c.reduced PIP extension and reduced MP flexion
- d.mallet finger
- a.
- # 5.The authors emphasize the need for therapists to be more aware and concerned about the far-reaching effects of rheumatoid disease beyond the obvious effects on hands
- a.not true
- b.true
- a.
When submitting to the HTCC for re-certification, please batch your JHT RFC certificates in groups of 3 or more to get full credit.
Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 16, 2022
Accepted:
July 3,
2022
Received in revised form:
June 23,
2022
Received:
March 25,
2022
Footnotes
Conflict of interest: All named authors hereby declare that they have no conflicts of interest to disclose.
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
