What is a Hand Therapist?
A Hand Therapist is an Occupational Therapist who, through advanced study and training, specializes in rehabilitating patients with conditions affecting the hands and upper extremity.
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Who Do They Serve?
A Hand Therapist works with patients who may have been affected by an accident or trauma leaving them with wounds, scars, burns, injured tendons or nerves, fractures, or even amputation of the finger, hand, or arm.
They also treat patients who are disabled from repetitive motion disorders such as tennis elbow or carpal tunnel syndrome. Many patients seeking the care of a Hand Therapist also suffer from such chronic problems as arthritis or a neurological condition.A Hand Therapist works with the patient - in any situation - to provide a continuum of care. This often starts within days of the injury or surgery right through to the patients return to work and/or a productive lifestyle.
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What Services Do They Provide?
A qualified Hand Therapist can evaluate and identify any problem relative to the upper extremities. The Hand Therapist can effectively treat and rehabilitate the patient through such methods as postoperative rehabilitation, rehabilitation or industry consultation.
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Postoperative Rehabilitation
- Manage open or sutured wounds (prevention of infection and assistance in healing)
- Control hypertrophic (raise and/or swollen) or hyper-sensitive scars
- Reduction of swelling
- Rehabilitation
- Manage of acute or chronic pain
- Desensitization following nerve injury or trauma
- Sensory re-education after nerve injury
- Design and implement exercise programs to increase motion, dexterity and/or strength
- Splint fabrication for prevention or corrections of injury
- Training in the performance of daily life skills through adapted methods andequipment
- Improve Body Mechanics
- Condition prior to returning to work
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Diagnosis that are treated
- Upper Extremity Fractures
- Upper Extremity Cumulative Trauma
- Upper Extremity Weakness, decreased ROM or Coordination
- Wound Care
- Arthritis
- Carpal Tunnel
- Nerve Compression Syndromes
- Digital Amputations
- Tendon, Nerve, and Ligament Injury or Repair
- Upper Extremity Joint Contractures
- Upper Extremity Tendonitis
- CVA/Stroke
- Upper Extremity Edema
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Location
Bellin Healths outpatient Occupational Therapy Clinic has two convenient locations; Bellin Sports Medicine East in the Whitney Building and Bellin Sports Medicine West in the Bellin Health Family Medical Center - Ashwaubenon. Call either location for further information
Bellin Sports Medicine West
Green Bay, Wisconsin 54313
920 430-4750
Bellin Sports Medicine East
215 North Webster Avenue
Green Bay, Wisconsin 54301
920 433-7868
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