Lancaster Orthopedic Group offers Hand Therapy services for treatment and rehabilitation to restore optimal upper extremity function. LOG’s Certified Hand Therapists (CHTs) are Occupational Therapists who educate, guide and support clients as they strive to return to everyday activities such as folding laundry, writing, returning to work or playing a musical instrument. They have comprehensive knowledge of the structure and anatomy of the hand and arm with specialized training in diagnoses and treatment of upper extremity conditions through advanced study (individuals must have a minimum of two years of hand therapy experience and five years total experience before taking and passing a certification test).
Expert individualized treatment is essential following trauma or injury. Treatment often begins within days of the injury or surgery and continues until the client has returned to work and/or a productive lifestyle. Our CHTs work closely with LOG’s orthopedic hand specialists and referral sources in order to maximize both surgical and client outcomes.
A unique aspect of hand therapy service is manufacturing custom splints and braces for clients with fractures, dislocations, arthritis, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and most post-operative conditions.
A full recovery depends on finding the right therapist to treat the specific injury. Only a hand therapist has the skill, expertise and experience needed to treat the special needs of the upper extremity. If needed, they will teach clients how to adapt a new way to perform daily tasks. This can often be the difference that allows clients to make a more complete recovery and return to their lives more quickly. The CHTs at LOG bring the care that comes from years of education, skill and experience to meet the critical needs of a client’s injury and the physician’s demands.
Goals
The goals of hand therapy include:
- Facilitation of healing and recovery
- Regaining function and participation in activities of daily living
- Reducing sensitive scars and adhesions
- Increasing range of motion
- Increasing strength and gross and fine motor coordination
- Decreasing edema and pain
- Preventing deformity
- Protecting injured structures
- Promoting healing through custom splinting
- Preventing need for surgery
Common Diagnoses/Conditions Seen
- Amputation
- Arthritis
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Cyst/Ganglion
- Dupuytren’s Contracture
- Fractures of the hand, wrist and arm
- Joint reconstructions/release/replacements
- Reconstruction/Replantation
- Repetitive Stress/Strains
- Soft Tissue Injury/Crush
- Tendon/Nerve Injury/Compression
- Trauma
- Trigger Finger
Treatment Techniques
- Activities of Daily Living modification/equipment
- Customized Splinting/Casting Techniques
- Edema Control
- Flexibility/Range of Motion programs
- Home Exercise Programs
- Joint Protection/Ergonomic Education
- Manual Therapy – Massage, Joint mobilizations
- Neural Tension Reduction Techniques
- Pain Management
- Patient Education
- Scar Tissue Management
- Sensory Re-education/Desensitization
- Therapeutic Activity
- Thermal and Electrical Modalities
- Wound Care