Explanation of Ulnar Deviation: How This Hand Splint for Rheumatoid Arthritis Can Help

This hand brace for ulnar deviation supports the knuckles at the base of your fingers, helping to maintain neutral alignment of your metacarpophalangeal (MP or MCP) joints.

Though splinting has not been found to prevent deformity, it can help you maintain the function of your hands, reduce pain, prevent morning stiffness, relieve stress, and slow the shifting of your wrist and fingers in an ulnar direction. The ulna is a bone in your forearm, which is present on the same side as your pinky finger.

What Causes Ulnar Drift?

An ulnar drift deformity is most commonly characterized by ulnar deviation and volar subluxation of the metacarpophalangeal joints. This is most commonly caused by a chronic, progressive condition called rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA is an autoimmune disorder that causes your immune system to target your joint tissue, resulting in inflammation and damage to both your MCP joints and the areas surrounding. Over time, this can cause your joints to wear away and your bones to erode, eventually making your hands look distorted.

Though less common, Osteoarthritis (OA) is also known to cause ulnar deviation. Unlike RA, OA isn’t caused by your immune system. It is caused by your joint cartilage gradually wearing away due to overuse or the natural process of aging. When the cartilage has worn away significantly, your bones start to rub together, damaging your knuckle joints and causing them to become distorted and bend.

Check out our collection of thumb braces for arthritis treatment, tendonitis, breaks, sprains, and more!

Most Common Symptoms of Ulnar Deviation

Swelling of your knuckles is one of the most noticeable symptoms of ulnar deviation. You may also find that your fingers, especially your middle and index fingers, bend toward your little finger.

As the condition progresses, you may experience:

• Abnormal heat around your wrist, hand, and finger joints

• Spongy and soft knuckles

• Difficulty gripping and pinching items

• Trouble straightening your fingers

• Moderate to severe pain

4 Top-Rated Features of This Arthritic Hand Knuckle Brace for Ulnar Drift

This hand splint for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and more is a great solution for slowing the progression of ulnar drift and easing any discomfort. Following is a list of features our customers’ claim they cannot live without.  

1. Unrestrictive Design Helps Preserve Mobility of Your Hand

Encasing only the upper part of your palm and a small portion of your digits, this finger stretcher brace leaves the rest of your hand free, allowing for some degree of movement, such as gripping or pinching.

2. Neoprene Material Provide Warmth, Soothing Sore Joints

Latex-free, arthritic knuckle compression wrap is made of stretchy neoprene material that warms your hand, soothing sore, stiff finger joints to improve strength and function. Lightweight neoprene is only 3/16” thick for a comfortable, non-bulky fit.

3. Adjustable Finger Straps Allow You to Customize Tension

Soft finger straps pull at your metacarpophalangeal (MP or MCP) joints, helping maintain neutral alignment and slow the drifting of your phalanges to straighten your fingers. Flexible fasteners can be easily applied and adjusted as needed.

4. Can be Worn During the Day or While Sleeping

This soft brace for ulnar deviation can be worn throughout the day or at night for rheumatoid arthritis relief. Since pain intensity is typically the worst in the morning, we especially recommend using our splint to rest your fingers and hand while sleeping, which can lessen the effects of morning stiffness and swelling.

Frequently Asked Questions About This Support Glove for Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Victims

• What conditions/injuries does this hand splint treat? This ulnar drift hand brace can be worn during the day or at night while sleeping for osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), inflamed knuckles, joint degeneration, bone deformities, ulnar drift treatment, some cases of trigger finger, repetitive motion injuries, and ulnar nerve entrapment hand tingling. (Looking for carpal tunnel syndrome relief? Check out these carpal tunnel braces!)

• How does it work? Our ulnar deviation splint is specifically designed to help minimize symptoms and slow the progression of ulnar drift by straightening deviated fingers, promoting neutral alignment of the knuckles without compromising mobility.

• Who can wear this brace? It fits adult men and women, as well as some teenagers and children. Available in sizes S/M and M/L, which fit a wide variety of hand widths.

• What size should I get? To choose your size, carefully measure the distance across your metacarpophalangeal joints, in inches. This hand and finger splint is NOT universal, so you’ll need to choose if it is for your right or left hand when ordering.

• When should I wear it? Can be worn throughout the day and while sleeping for support. A combination of ice therapy and a heating pad usage, along with physical therapy, exercises, supplements, and medications are also often incorporated into treatment. See a medical professional for guidance as to the best plan of action for you!

• What is it made of? This arthritis aid/support glove is made of neoprene, nylon lining, and Medical-grade fasteners. All components are latex-free.

• How tall is this thumb splint?

• Size S/M is 4 3/4” tall.

• Size M/L is 5” tall.

• How do I put it on? Unhook all closures and lay on a flat surface with the fastener facing up. Place your palm on the brace and wrap the strap around the back of your hand and secure the closure. Pull each extension piece diagonally through the web space between your fingers toward the radial (inside, towards your thumb) edge of your hand and secure to the back of the hand. The smallest extension piece should wrap around the outside of your pinky finger.

• Washing Instructions: Hand wash in warm water with mild soap. Lay flat to air dry completely before reapplying.

• Other features:

• Natural, non-invasive treatment for rheumatoid arthritis.

• Can prevent loss of strength and flexibility in your fingers.

• Easy to apply, adjust, and take off.

• Color: Black.