RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS. PHYSICAL MEASURES IN TREATMENT OF CHILDREN.

Prognosis in rheumatic arthritis in children is good, provided total care is given, deformity prevented and function maintained. Bed rest is desirable until active inflammation of the joints has subsided. During convalescence a balance between rest and exercise must be maintained to avoid recurrence of inflammation of the joints. When there is progressive deformity or disabling pain in the wrist, a molded leather wrist-cuff splint can control the deformity, decrease or abolish pain and lessen swelling. If there is valgus deformity of the knee or external rotation of the tibia, with no more than ten degrees of knee flexion deformity, correction can be obtained by simple manipulations.