Hand physical therapy focuses on the remediation of hand, wrist and upper extremity dysfunction caused by injury or overuse to allow a maximal level of independence with self care, work and leisure activities.
Hand physical therapists provide one-on-one treatment based on any deficits determined during a thorough musculoskeletal evaluation which may include the use of manual therapy, therapeutic exercises, functional tasks, splinting, modalities and customized home exercise programs. The frequency and duration of hand treatment are dependent upon medical necessity and the patient's commitment to therapy.
Objectives
- Restore functional movement, strength, endurance and fine-motor control to maximize the speed, quality and independence of purposeful activity.
- Remediate sensory deficits and instruct in compensatory techniques to improve safety during activities ofdaily living
- Promote techniques for pain and edema management
- Facilitate wound healing and minimize scar tissue
- Optimize body mechanics, work simplification and energy conservation to achieve maximal independence in all activities of daily living
- Provide adaptive equipment and functional solutions to improve independence with self-care and work tasks
- Utilize custom static and dynamic splinting to protect and support healing structures and/or to restore movement
- Provide educational resources regarding specific conditions
Specialized Hand Therapy Programs
- Arthritic Hand Program -Troy
- Worksite Evaluations/Ergonomics
- WorkAbilitySMprogram -Royal Oak
- Performing Artists' Program
Skills and Licensure of Clinicians
Certified Hand Therapists and Registered Occupational Therapists with advanced post-graduate course work are on staff to meet patients' needs.
Conditions Treated
- Arthritis: rheumatoid, osteoarthritis
- Repetitive cumulative trauma disorders, including carpal tunnel syndrome, lateral and medial epicondylitis and thoracic outlet syndrome
- DeQuervain's tendonitis
- Dupuytren's disease
- Tenosynovitis
- Upper extremity fractures/ dislocations/sprains/strains
- Upper extremity tendon trauma
- Upper extremity nerve palsy including the radial nerve, ulnar nerve, median nerve and brachial plexus injuries
- Sensory disruption of the upper extremity including reflex sympathetic dystrophy
- Upper extremity amputations/wounds
- Postoperative upper extremity conditions
