RESUMO
STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. INTRODUCTION: Hand osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic and disabling disease causing pain and functional limitations in approximately 54%-67% of the adult population aged 55 years and older. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The objective of the study is to evaluate the evidence supporting conservative therapeutic interventions for the treatment of OA finger joints. METHODS: Eighteen studies dated between 1979 and 2016 were identified meeting the inclusion criteria. They were analyzed based on Structured Effectiveness for Quality Evaluation of a Study, level of evidence, and effect size. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The current evidence varies in quality and effect sizes but generally supports the use of active range of motion and resistive exercises, joint protection, electromagnetic therapy, paraffin wax, and balneotherapy (combined and/or not combined with mud packs and magnetotherapy), and distal interphalangeal orthoses as effective treatment interventions for individuals with OA finger joints.
