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Hand Therapy
Hand Therapy is a type of rehabilitation
performed by an occupational or physical therapist on patients with conditions
affecting the hands and upper extremities. Such therapy is performed
by a provider with a high degree of specialization that requires continuing
education and, often, advanced certification. This enables the hand therapist
to work with patients to hasten their return to a productive lifestyle.
Patients who are candidates
for hand therapy may have been affected by an accident or trauma leaving
them with wounds, scars, burns, injured tendons or nerves, fractures,
or even amputations of the fingers, hands, or arms. Others include patients
who suffer from the effects of conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome
and tennis elbow, as well as from such chronic problems as arthritis
or a neurologic condition (i.e., stroke).
Preventative, Non-operative
or conservative treatment
- Management of acute or
chronic pain
- Desensitization following nerve injury or trauma
- Sensory re-education after nerve injury
- Design and implementation of home exercise programs
to increase motion, dexterity, and/or strength
- Splint fabrication for prevention or correction
of injury (see Figure 1)
- Training in the performance of daily life skills
through adapted methods and equipment
- Conditioning prior to returning to work
Examples of hand splints
- Management of open
or sutured wounds (prevention of infection and assistance in healing)
- Control of hypertrophic (raised and/or swollen)
or hypersensitive scars
- Reduction of swelling
- Fabrication of orthoses to protect surgery or
increase movement
- Instruction in home exercise program
Your hand therapist may consult with
various industries establishing preventive programs for workers with
upper extremity symptoms. Hand therapists recommend modifications of
workstations and alternative work methods to help ensure healthy workstyles
of all employees.
Search for a hand therapist
in your area by going to www.asht.org. This is the official website of
the American Society of Hand Therapists. Once there, click on “Consumers”.
You can search by city and state, last name or by CHT designation.
Content provided by the American Society of Hand Therapists.
© 2007 American Society for Surgery of the Hand
Developed by the ASSH Public Education Committee
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