By: Ty Pehrson, MOTR/L, CHT, Cesar Flores, MOTR/L, CHT, and Elizabeth Vohnoutka, OTD, OTR/L
Dysfunction in our hands can make seemingly simple tasks challenging to do- potentially hindering our activities of daily living and affecting our quality of life. Hand therapy is the craft and science for rehabilitation of the upper extremity including regions connected to the hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder, and neck. Through the frameworks of occupational and physical therapy, Spooner hand therapists use their extensive knowledge of the upper extremity to evaluate and treat a wide breadth of injuries and conditions.
When to Seek Hand Therapy:
Our hand therapists are specifically trained to treat the entire upper extremity. Seeing out a hand therapist may be beneficial for you if you have:
- Sports-related injuries
- Burns
- Hand and wrist sprains/strains
- Elbow, wrist, and hand fractures and dislocations
- Nerve Compression Conditions
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Cubital tunnel syndrome
- Radial nerve entrapment
- Repetitive motion injuries
- Tennis/golfer’s elbow
- Crush injuries and other trauma
- Tendon repairs and transfers
- Limb loss/ prosthetics
- Arthritis
- Stroke
- Lymphedema
Our skilled therapists are well-equipped to fabricate custom orthotics based on your needs. Spooner hand therapy offers preventative and conservative treatment options to avert and reduce the risks of surgical intervention. If surgery is needed, we also offer post-operative treatment to restore function and guide you through a safe recovery with the overarching goal of progressing you back to your meaningful activities.
At Spooner, our hand therapists use a client-centered approach to assessing the body, mind, and each individual’s lifestyle—including psychological and social factors. Our approach helps find the root cause of your injury, helping you achieve and return to your desired activities safely and as quickly as possible. We want to help you to stay engaged in or find your way back to these activities whether it is sports, work, caring for loved ones, or other roles.
Your First Hand Therapy Visit
At your first Hand Therapy visit at Spooner, your hand therapist will focus on developing a strong foundation through a comprehensive evaluation of you and your injury. The evaluation will consist of a thorough interview— gathering details about you, your lifestyle and your injury— and several assessments to develop a baseline to help track your progress. Your therapist may assess you by using hands-on techniques and instruments to measure range of motion, strength, posture, sensation, and nerve function.
Using the gathered information, you and your therapist will establish a plan of care, addressing your individual needs, values, and goals for recovery. Your outcomes, frequency, and duration of therapy will depend on your distinct diagnosis, stage of healing, and commitment to recovery. During your session, your therapist will provide education on your specific injury and how it affects your ability to engage in activities. They will also explain the purpose and use of any modalities, manual therapy, and treatment exercises performed throughout your recovery. Your hand therapist will also create a personalized home exercise program for you to perform at home.
In hand therapy, we use modalities such as hot and cold packs, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and paraffin wax- just to name a few. Our goal for your treatment plan is to get you back to the activities you love. The therapist will use specific exercises that target your individual deficits. We can also simulate sports activities, activities of daily living, and job activities to condition your hands to specific tasks to which you want to return.
Your following visits vary depending on each individual’s circumstance and type of injury. Your therapist may begin treatment with exercises in preparation of simulated activities. As you progress, the interventions will advance to address your true performance with desired activities. Our therapists will select treatment exercises carefully and methodically, ensuring that they relate to the actual activities that you will be performing in your life.
Spooner Hand Therapy ensures that your rehabilitation journey facilitates healing and excellent outcomes. We are result-driven and committed to delivering a remarkable therapeutic experience. Our ultimate goal is to get you back to a healthy and active lifestyle!