Conditions Treated with Hand Therapy

Arthritis

Arthritis is caused by inflammation in your joints and can lead to pain, especially in the wrist and fingers.

Elbow or Wrist Fractures

Broken elbows and wrists are painful conditions that can be difficult to treat because of their location.

Ulnar Sided Wrist Pain

This is pain that stems from the side of the wrist near the pinkie finger. It is usually caused by an injury to the TFCC.

Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow is inflammation that occurs in the tendons of the elbow. It is usually caused by repetitive arm movement and not actually tennis.

Pulley Injuries

A pulley injury refers to damage to the flexor tendon pulleys in the fingers, most commonly in rock climbers or athletes who place high stress on their fingers.

Trigger Finger

If one of your fingers snaps into a bent position and cannot be unbent, you may have a trigger finger or stenosing tenosynovitis. This is usually caused by repetitive motions of the finger.

PIP/DIP

These are joints in the fingers and they can become inflamed and painful. The DIP joints are located at the end of the fingers, and the PIP joints are located in the middle of the fingers. When these joints are inflamed, moving them can be painful and limited.

Sprains

Injuries and accidents can lead to sprains on the hands, arms, elbows, or shoulders. This happens when an excessive force causes ligaments and/or the joint capsule to tear.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome, also called median nerve compression, is nerve pressure that can cause weakness in your hand. You might also feel numbness or a tingling sensation in the thumb, index, long and ring finger.

Certain Chronic Conditions

Some chronic conditions can cause pain or problems in the arms and hands. These include diabetes, certain neurological conditions, and some autoimmune diseases.

Lack of Movement After Surgery

Surgeries can often cause a need for physiotherapy to help you learn to properly use your limbs and joints after they have been replaced or repaired.

Types of Treatment with Hand Therapy

Exercises

The hand therapist will suggest exercises that are specifically customized for your injury or condition. These will often include movements for strengthening muscles and tendons as well as increasing the range of motion in joints.

Manual Therapy

This is a hands-on therapy where the therapist physically mobilizes the part of the body that needs treatment (i.e. joint, tendons). It may include manual stretching or massage.

Desensitization

Desensitization in hand therapy involves applying pressure or a stimulus to the affected area in order for the body to get used to and adapt to the stimulus. It is typically used as a way of managing pain.

Heat Modalities

The therapist may use heat to ease the pain in the joints of other parts of the arms and hand. Heat may also allow the body to move more fluidly. Heat can be applied through electrical means, hot water, or even through ultrasound.

Modifications to Equipment

In some cases, the therapist may suggest modifications to equipment that will make them more ergonomically useful to the patient. Examples of this might be a raised keyboard or a specially positioned chair. These changes can take the pressure off the part of the body needing treatment and allow the condition to ease.

Adaptive Techniques

The therapist may also suggest adaptive techniques the patient can use to ease pain or pressure. This can include using different muscles to perform everyday tasks or using tools that allow the patient to avoid bending or twisting.

Joint Protection

The therapist may also teach the patient special techniques that are designed to protect the joint from damage or injury. The patient may be taught to use the joint differently or use the body differently in order to remove pressure or contact on the area that is hurting. Braces or splints may also be used to protect the joint.

Pain Management

The therapist may come up with a pain management plan for the patient. This could include exercises and tools for relieving pain and possibly the use of pain medication as well as techniques that include applying heat or cold to the affected area. This may also involve massage or other pain-reducing techniques.

Benefits of Visiting a Physiotherapist

Working with someone like Morgan, who specializes in hand and upper limb conditions can also help you explore non-surgical options for recovery. They may use specific techniques, bracing/splints and exercises to reduce your pain and improve function, potentially avoiding the need for surgery altogether. In addition, their targeted approach often leads to quicker relief of pain and discomfort.

If you’re dealing with problems anywhere from your elbow to your fingertips, a physiotherapist with this kind of special interest may be able to help.

Contact North 49 Physical Therapy in Saskatoon, SK to schedule an evaluation with Morgan so you can get back to doing the things you love.