Specialised treatment required

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Hand therapy is the assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of hand and upper limb injuries (elbow, forearm, wrist and hand). 

 

In New Zealand, a registered Hand Therapist will have undertaken a physiotherapy or Occupational Therapy degree and completed post-graduate study in the hand and upper limb. As a result, they will have advanced skills in assessing, diagnosing and managing conditions of the upper limb.

 

Focus Health is fortunate to have a qualified Hand Therapist - Ross Simmons at our Royston Clinic in Hastings. Ross works closely with the patient and their GPs and specialists to provide a continuum of care. This often starts within days of the injury or surgery, right through the patient’s return to work and/or a productive lifestyle.

 

Conditions / injuries commonly treated by a Hand Therapist:

 

• Trigger finger

• Mallet finger

• Nail bed or crush injury

• Volar plate sprains

• Central slip (Boutoniere) tendon injuries

• Skiers thumb

• Goalkeepers thumb

• Crush injuries and amputations

• Post-operative Dupuytrens surgery

• Fractures

• Nerve compression including Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

• Sprains of finger, thumb, wrist and elbow.

• Tendon injuries.

• Arthritic hand conditions.

• Occupational Overuse Syndrome (OOS) / Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) including de Quervains

• Burns/skin grafts

• Chronic pain and Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS).

 

Treatment may include:

 

• Custom made splinting for protection / rest

• Dynamic splints

• Fitting of off-the-shelf orthotics

• Manual and mobilisation therapy/exercises

• Progressive strengthening and rehabilitation exercises

• Wound management following surgery or acute trauma

• Acute swelling management including compression bandages, oedema gloves and massage

• Scar management to soften and flatten hypertrophic scars

• Sensitivity testing and retraining

• Desensitisation programmes