Children with
juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) should avoid
keeping their joints bent for long periods of time, such as when sleeping.
These positions can encourage stiffening of the joints.
Wearing a resting splint at night will help keep the joints straight
(especially the wrist and hand, knee and ankle) and may help prevent pain at
night. This may decrease morning stiffness as well as help prevent
contractures.
Working splints (such as a wrist splint to keep the wrist extended)
can help support a joint and relieve pain when writing or doing other hand
tasks.
Regular range-of-motion exercises are very important when splints are
used to prevent loss of movement and flexibility.
