What is Rheumatism?

Any painful disorder of the joints or muscles or connective tissues.

¤ Osteoarthritis (OA)
¤ Osteoporosis
¤ Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
¤ Dupuytren's Disease
¤ Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
¤ Bursitis
¤ Tendonitis

What is Rheumatoid Arthritis?

a disease of the connective tissues that usually appears in the form of painful swelling in the joints of the hands and feet.

Symptoms include:
¤ Signs of Inflammation
¤ Pain
¤ Generalized Stiffness
¤ Limitation of Motion
¤ Weakness
¤ Joint Deformation

Including:
¤ MCP joint subluxation in the hand
¤ MCP joint ulnar deviation
¤ MCP joint flexion contracture
¤ Swan-neck deformity of finger(s)
¤ Boutonneire deformity of finger(s)

What does research show?

there are more than 100 different types of arthritis or related diseases.  An estimated 43 million people in the US have arthritis or other rheumatism.

¤ an estimated 2.1 million people in the US are affected by RA
¤ an estimated 21 million people in the US are affected by OA
¤ two thirds of all people with arthritis are under the age of 65
¤ arthritis is the number one cause of disability in America
¤ arthritis limits everyday activities for about 7.9 million Americans
¤ arthritis costs the US $65 million per year in medical care and low wages

What does the program offer?

¤ patient learns how to perform daily activities without putting additional stress on joints
¤ therapist will recommend assistive devices that can make ADLs more comfortable
¤ therapist will give practical advice on how to overcome everyday problems
¤ splints are provided to rest or support painful, damaged, or weak joints
¤ therapist will teach techniques to help cope with pain