Hand therapy is rehabilitation performed by an occupational 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 extensive continuing education and often advanced certification. This enables the hand therapist to work with patients to hasten their return to a productive lifestyle.

Who Needs Hand Therapy?

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.

Common Diagnoses Treated in Hand Therapy:

Hand Disorders:

• Finger Fractures and Dislocations
  
• Skier’s (Gamekeeper’s) Thumb
  
• Arthritis
  
• Amputations
  
• Thumb Basal Joint Arthritis
  
• Flexor Tendon Laceration
  
• Extensor Tendon Laceration
  
• Mallet Finger
  
• Trigger Thumb/Finger

Wrist Disorders:

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  
• DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis
  
• Wrist Tendonitis
  
• Scaphoid Fractures
  
• Wrist Sprain
  
• Wrist Fractures
  
• Degenerative Joint Disease of the Wrist
  
• Midcarpal Instability
  
• Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC) Injury

Elbow Disorders:

• Tennis and Golfer’s Elbow
  
• Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
  
• Radial Nerve Palsy

Shoulder Disorders:

• Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
  
• Rotator Cuff Tear/Repair
  
• Shoulder Tendonitis
  
• Rotator Cuff Impingement
  
• Shoulder Joint Replacement

Hand Therapy Treatments:

• Splints for Prevention or Correction of Injury
  
• Management of Swelling
  
• Range of Motion Exercises
  
• Paraffin and Moist Heat
  
• Isometric Strengthening Exercises
  
• Joint Protection Techniques
  
• Adaptive Equipment
  
• Desensitization following Nerve Injury or Trauma
  
• Scar Management
  
• Activity Modification and Symptom Management
  
• Stretching Exercises
  
• Strengthening Exercises
  
• Soft Tissue Massage
  
• Nerve Glides
  
• Electrical Stimulation
  
• Sensory Re-Education after Nerve Injury
  
• Wound Management
  
• Laser
  
• Ultrasound