A Case of Rheumatoid Arthritis with Maintained Thumb Function for an Extended Time Due to Orthotic Therapy for Radial Subluxation of the Interphalangeal Joint of the Thumb

Abstract

A 53-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis had been suffering from right thumb deformity for a couple of months. Due to this, she was unable to perform the pinch movement. There were surgical options to treat the deformity, but the patient declined surgery. We therefore surmised whether we could correct the deformity with a splint. In 2012, we then proposed the use of a finger splint. The patient's finger function improved, and as of 2021, she was still using the finger splint without any problems. Thus, it is recommended to use a finger splint for thumb deformity because it is easier and less invasive than surgery.