Rehabilitative Techniques for rheumatic disease
- 1. The major goal of rehabilitative techniques is to maximize function.
- 2. Patients with arthritis should perform stretching 3 to 5 days/week and range of motion (ROM) exercises daily to prevent joint contractures.
- 3. Patients with rheumatic disease are recommended to exercise regularly. An exercise program should be individualized for each patient and should start slow to ensure safety and compliance with routine exercise.
- 4. Excessive pain during exercise or soreness for >2 hours after exercise indicates too much exercise for that patient.
- 5. Physical modalities, such as heat and cryotherapy, are used as an adjunct to facilitate active therapy.
- 6. Joint protection strategies aim to prevent additional stress on diseased joints by utilizing altered work methods, avoidance of static positions, good body mechanics, and splints, braces, or adaptive equipment.
