What is Hand Therapy?
Hand therapy is the specialised practice of assessing and treating injuries and conditions affecting the entire upper limb (including the hand, wrist, forearm, elbow, arm, and shoulder). It employs a variety of therapeutic interventions to help individuals regain their highest level of function.
Evolving from the fields of occupational therapy and physiotherapy, hand therapy arose from the need for experts with in-depth knowledge and experience to manage the intricate recovery process of complex hand and upper limb injuries. Its primary goals are to prevent dysfunction, restore function, and prevent the progression of pathologies in the hand and upper limb.
A hand therapist is a qualified occupational therapist or physiotherapist with extensive knowledge about treating the hand and upper limb. They specialise in managing injuries, diseases, and deformities and collaborate with other professionals when necessary, including hand surgeons, general practitioners, and rehabilitation consultants.
We can assess and treat hand and upper limb conditions including, but not limited to:
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Fractures
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Dislocations
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Sprains
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Scars
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Burns
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Chronic pain
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Trauma: severe crush, lacerations, or amputations
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Arthritis management
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Focal dystonia
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Thoracic outlet syndrome
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Sports injuries
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Workplace injuries
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Shoulder injuries: rotator cuff, bursitis, frozen shoulder
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Wounds
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Lymphoedema
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Handwriting dysfunction
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Congenital hand disorders
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Hand replants
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Peripheral nerve injuries. For example: carpal tunnel syndrome, radial tunnel syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome
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Tendinopathies. For example: lateral epicondylitis (aka tennis elbow), medial epicondylitis (aka golfer’s elbow), De Quervain’s tenosynovitis and trigger finger
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Neuromuscular and neurological conditions affecting the upper limb
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Conservative and post-operative care after joint replacement
Proudly serving the Byford and surrounding Perth Hills community
