Hand Therapy

Hand Therapy is for anyone experiencing pain in the upper extremity (hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder) conditions treated include:

• Rehabilitation of fractures of the hand, wrist, and elbow
• Post-operative, acute, and chronic injuries
• Tendon and ligament injuries
• Boutonniere’s and Swan Neck deformities
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Neuropathies
• DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis
• Dupuytren’s Contractures
• Ganglion cysts
• Elbow tendonitis
• Repetitive stress injuries
• Trigger Finger
• Wound care

What Is Hand Therapy Occupational Therapy?

If you suffered injury to your fingers, hands, or wrists, your treating physician may have recommended hand physical therapy. This type of rehabilitation improves the functionality of the wrist and hand or upper limbs after injury or overuse pain and complaints.

Occupational therapy is a type of therapy focused on helping people improve their ability to complete everyday tasks required for school or work. Some benefits of hand occupational therapy include being able to tie your shoes, write or type, brush your teeth and hair, or hold and lift objects.

The main goal is to improve functionality, so let’s take a closer look at what Maryland hand therapy services entail.

Common Injuries That Could Require Hand Therapy Services

Chronic conditions or acute injuries that may require hand therapy include:

• Sprains or strains
• Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
• Tendinopathy
• Arthrosis or arthritis
• Tendinitis
• Fractures
• Overuse injuries
• Amputation
• Lacerations of the skin, nerves, tendons, muscles, or ligaments  
• Hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity

Your Hand Therapy Assessment

Hand therapy services start with a professional assessment of your condition, evaluating the extent and location of the damage. Your therapist may evaluate the following:

• Swelling
• Range of motion
• Congenital deformity
• Sensitivity
• Dexterity
• Change in overall function
• Strength

As you complete a series of simple exercises and movements, your occupational therapist will visually and tactfully assess your abilities. They can then develop a personalized strategy to address your limitations and overall condition.

What To Expect From Hand Therapy Treatment

Once your assessment is complete, you’ll receive a therapy plan, which often includes activities and “homework” for you to do on your own to reinforce progress made in physical therapy sessions. Some of the options your plan includes may be:

• Education about your treatment options and the condition itself
• Orthosis manufacturing
• Occupational therapy to manage everyday tasks at home, work, and school
• Pain management
• Sensitization or desensitization
• Edema or muscle massage
• Adaptation advice
• Motor imagery rehabilitation

Usually, your therapist will include exercises that strengthen your hand, wrist, and supporting muscles and ligaments. Over time, they may include modified exercises and movements similar to what you do as part of your daily home or work activities.

If you struggle with a range of motion, for example, your plan will include strategies for improving that. You may practice certain self-care tasks or occupational duties. Your therapist works with you to develop safe yet effective approaches to your everyday duties to help ensure your injury improves and to help slow or prevent its return.

The Benefits Of Hand Therapy

Relieving pain and improving range of motion are two of the primary reasons people seek occupational therapy for their hands and wrists. Injuries and other medical conditions affect your daily life, so the main goal is to restore functionality.

Do you need help improving the functionality of your hands, fingers, or wrists? Maryland hand therapy services at  LeMoine Physical Therapy can help. Call us today to learn more about our personalized approach to occupational therapy.

LeMoine Physical Therapy can help with all the conditions listed above and get you back to living your life.