Hand Therapy
What is Hand Therapy?
Hand therapy is a critical component to rehabilitation of the upper limb either post-operatively or for injuries that don’t require surgery. The focus of hand therapy is to promote recovery, maximise improvements and meet specific goals following injury including returning to work related tasks, daily living and sporting activities.
Common conditions requiring hand therapy include:
- Fractures and dislocations, either post-surgery or for non-operative injuries
- Tendon, nerve and ligament injuries and repairs
- Mallet and Boutonniere finger injuries
- Volar plate and collateral ligament injuries
- Crush and nail bed injuries
- Carpal tunnel syndrome and post carpal tunnel releases
- De Quervain’s, tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis) and trigger finger injuries
- Arthritis
- Chronic pain, myofascial and overuse conditions
- Dupuytren’s contractures
- Arthritis
Treatment often begins within a few days following injury or surgery. It may be important to attend therapy on the same-day of referral post-operatively to commence mobilisation or fit a protective splint or orthosis.
Hand Therapy Treatments
Hand therapy treatments include:
- Upper limb and functional assessments
- Splinting or casting including the design and fabrication of both soft and thermoplastic splints & orthoses and fibreglass casts. It also includes the custom manufacture of sports guards and protective orthoses for functional improvement, pain management and assisting with return to work. Splints and casts are typically made on the same day as appointments.
- Exercises to improve movement and function
- Strengthening exercises
- Scar management
- Management of swelling
- Desensitisation & sensory re-education
- Pain management
- InterX neurostimulation
- Functional re-training & exercise
Specialised Hand Therapy Services
Specialised Hand Therapy Services (SpHT) is a leading hand therapy practice that has been operating for more than 20 years and has 10 sites across the Perth metropolitan area (West Perth, Subiaco, Midland, Joondalup, Murdoch, Armadale and Rockingham) and south west (Bunbury, Busselton and Albany). SpHT employs approximately 25 fully accredited occupational therapists who have expertise in hand therapy and rehabilitation of the hand and upper limb. Some HANDOC surgeons are owners of SpHT and in the event that you are referred for hand therapy at SpHT, then your care is not conditional on accepting treatment with SpHT and an alternative provider can be requested. Please let your surgeon or nurse know if you would like referral to another provider.
For more information on SpHT, visit www.specialisedhandtherapy.com.au