Hand Therapy

What is Hand Therapy?

Hand Therapy is the assessment and treatment of any problem related to the upper limb. Hand Therapy can start within days of an injury or surgery with client-centred goals.  Our therapists work in conjunction with surgeons.

Hand Therapy can be provided by a registered Physiotherapist (PT) or Occupational Therapist (OT). The hand is a fraction of what a Hand Therapist can help rehabilitate. From the shoulder, upper arm, elbow, forearm or wrist – rehabilitating all of these anatomical areas falls within the remit of a Hand Therapist.

What does Hand Therapy involve?

Hand Therapy involves rehabilitating a client through conservative treatment without surgery or with post-op care. A Hand Therapist will evaluate and where applicable, differentially diagnose conditions affecting the arm or hand. Based on the Hand Therapist’s analysis and the client’s goals, a treatment plan is established. Interventions may include:

• Splinting
• Manual therapy
• Exercises or activities to improve range and patterns of movement
• Fine-motor / dexterity retraining
• Wound care
• Scar management
• Swelling management
• Desensitisation and sensory re-education
• Thermal modalities (e.g. cold and heat)
• Client and family education

Overall, the list is quite extensive and dependent on every client’s changing needs. 

What conditions can a Hand Therapist help?

• Peripheral nerve compressions (e.g. cubital tunnel syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome or radial tunnel syndrome)
• Trigger thumb or trigger finger
• Inflammatory or degenerative arthritis (Do osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis ring a bell?)
• Tennis or golfer’s elbow
• Tendonopathies (e.g. tendonitis, tenosynovitis)
• Repetitive strain injuries (RSI)
• Pre and post-baby wrist and hand conditions (e.g. deQuervain’s tenosynovitis)
• Joint instabilities
• Ganglion or mucous cysts
• Fractures (i.e. broken bones)
• Tendon injuries
• Joint sprains, dislocations or instabilities
• Muscle strains
• Other soft tissue injuries
• Sports injuries
• Flexor and extensor tendon injuries requiring repair, tendon graft or tendon transfer
• Ligament repairs
• Thermal injuries (i.e. burns) requiring scar management
• Skins grafts, flaps or scar revisions Dupuytren’s contracture releases +/- skin graft (e.g. fasciectomy, fasciotomy)

Have any of the above issues or interested to find out more? Call us now on (08) 9021 8863 or click here to book online.