Hand therapy is the orthopedic-based treatment of upper-extremity conditions, including problems in the shoulders, forearms, elbows, wrists, arms and hands. During the therapy, the hands and upper quadrant of the body are evaluated and manipulated to optimize their functional use and restore their ability to perform work, life and daily living activities. Treatment is administered to prevent injury and pain, reverse progression of a disease and promote healing of injured structures—with the primary goal being to return patients to the highest level of independence in daily activities.
Hand therapists are specialists in the rehabilitation of fractures of the arm or hand, amputations and lacerations, burns, and surgical repairs of nerves and tendons. They also help with acquired conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.
At FYZICAL Lakewood Ranch, treatment is provided by certified hand therapists who are trained and skilled in evaluating upper body function and activity and administering treatment to the hand and upper quadrant.
What does a typical hand therapy entail?
Hand therapy begins with client assessment, which is usually performed using a patient-centered performance tool. The assessment establishes both the physical components of function and the functional deficits and desired work-related goals of treatment. The therapist uses initial evaluation to lay a strong groundwork for intended interventions.
There are two principal goals of initial evaluation. Firstly, therapists use it to know which activities their clients value, enjoy and want to be able to do again. And secondly, therapists help their clients understand that the therapy is aimed at healing their whole body, mind and lifestyle, including psychosocial and social issues, and not just the isolated injury or surgery. The groundwork enables the therapist and client to collaboratively set goals that are a reflection of the needs of the client.
After evaluation, hand therapy starts with preparatory methods, such as range of motion, physical agent modalities and muscle strengthening exercises. Purposeful activities such as simulated tasks or components of daily activity are performed after the preparatory sessions. As the patient progresses, the therapy becomes more targeted at the desired life tasks and occupations, such as kitchen tasks, self-care and work-related activities.
The therapist picks the activities carefully, making sure they are related to the activities the client will perform after rehabilitation. Actually, the goal of these activities is to prepare the patient to resume active participation. Hand therapists employ a variety of techniques and tools, including exercise and activity programs, management of pain and swelling, care for wounds and scars, and custom orthotic fabrication.
You can benefit from hand therapy if you have:
- Amputation
- Pain-related syndromes
- Fractures, dislocation and joint instabilities
- Repetitive stress injuries and cumulative trauma disorders
- Extensor or flexor tendon injuries
- Injury or infection of nerve or bone
- Multiple system traumas
- Degenerative and inflammatory arthritis
- Soft tissue injuries
- Tumors and cysts
- Splint fabrication in the upper extremity
- Peripheral nerve compression and disease
Hand therapy is usually recommended for:
- Accurate assessments and immediate care for upper extremity conditions
- Effective rehabilitation that reduces treatment time
- Faster recovery results with decreased medical costs
- Provision of a range of care that eliminates the need for multiple medical providers
- Improvement of functional outcomes that ensure a faster return to work and productive lifestyle
- Provision of the most comprehensive care for patients
The benefits of hand therapy include:
Faster recovery from injuries and conditions that interfere with habits, roles, time use, activity patterns, and work-related experiences.- Preserving roles and habits and related psychological well-being through attention to details that restores functioning early in the rehabilitation process.
- Enabling clients to be see the direct relationship between their hand therapy intervention and possibility of resuming normal participation in their activities, which increases motivation for therapy.
- Allowing the clients to partner in their rehabilitation as they engage in activities away from the clinic which address functional goals that go beyond clinical staff time and budgetary constraints.
- Hand therapy bridges the gap between medical management of upper extremity conditions and successful recovery, enabling patients to gradually move from the injury or surgery to full function.
Hand therapists offer non-operative interventions, post-surgical rehabilitation and preventative care for a wide variety of upper extremity disorders, including simple fingertip injuries to complex replanted extremities. Patients with chronic conditions like arthritis or neurological conditions, such as stroke, can benefit from the therapy through education on joint protection and energy conservation, and with recommendations for adaptive equipment or devices to improve function.
At FYZICAL Lakewood Ranch, the ultimate goal of our hand therapy services is to ensure that the rehabilitation process promotes healing and restores the ability of patients to perform meaningful activities both in the clinic and in their daily lives. Our personalized approach promotes positive outcomes for our clients. We aim for enhanced satisfaction with the therapy experience and results based on improved ability to engage in desired activities and improved quality of life. For more information on hand therapy, massage, physical therapy and orthopedic rehabilitation, visit the FYZICAL Lakewood Ranch website.