Hand Clinic

Why is Hand Therapy so important?

Our hands are an essential part of our life; they enable us to perform everyday tasks such as:

  • Washing and dressing ourselves
  • Cooking, cleaning
  • DIY
  • Work responsibilities
  • Expressing ourselves
    • Touch
    • Gestures

The hand is incredibly intricate and the structures within it work in very fine balance. A small problem affecting the hand can have a significant impact on a person. It is not until we have an injury, surgery or a condition where we are unable to use our hands that we fully appreciate how difficult life can be and how suddenly we can become dependent on others or unable to function.

Through the correct diagnosis and treatment, function may be restored or maximised. 

What is a Hand Surgeon?

Most problems can be managed by the Hand Therapist but some patients would benefit from the opinion of a Hand Surgery Consultant to conform the diagnosis and for certain types of treatment- injections or surgery.

Consultant Hand Surgeon Mr David Warwick MD FRCS FRCS(Orth) European Diploma of Hand Surgery works in close conjunction with Jane and Gemma the LBhealthcare Hand Therapists. He can see patients at LBhealthcare and, if surgery is need, provides that in Southampton (Spire Hospital and Wessex Nuffield Hospital) or Winchester (Sarum Road Hospital).  Follow-up therapy after surgery will continue at LBhealthcare.

Details of Mr Warwick’s experience and practice are to be found on his website or under Meet the Therapists

What is a Hand Therapist?

A Hand Therapist can be either a fully qualified Occupational Therapist or Physiotherapist who has specialised, through advanced study, in the rehabilitation of patients with conditions or injuries that affect their hands and upper extremity.

What does a Hand therapist do?

A Hand Therapist will work closely with their patient, carrying out detailed assessments to determine the nature of their problem and to develop individualised treatment programmes. All therapy programmes are re-evaluated at regular intervals and adapted to maximise outcome. The nature of the rehabilitation will vary considerably but may include:

  • Education
  • Home exercise programmes
  • Joint mobilisations
  • Upper limb strengthening
  • Splinting
    • Static
    • Dynamic
    • Pre-fabricated
  • Scar management
    • Scar massage
    • Silicone gel
    • Pressure garments
    • Desensitisation
  • Wound care
  • Oedema control
  • Therapeutic Ultrasound
  • Sensory Re-education
  • Joint protection
  • Activities of daily living
  • Pain management
    • Acupuncture
    • TENS

Silicone Gel Sheeting

Cica Care Silicone Gel Sheeting

Thermoplastic Thumb Spica

Acupunture

Who will they see?

Hand Therapists will see a variety of patients who have conditions affecting their hands or upper limb, following injury or surgery, these include:

  • Upper limb conditions
    • Compression syndromes
      • Carpal Tunnel syndrome
      • Ulnar nerve compression
    • Tenosynovitis
      • DeQuervains
      • Tennis elbow
      • Golfers elbow
    • Arthritis
      • Rheumatoid arthritis
      • Osteoarthritis
    • Fibromylagia
    • Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
    • Neurological conditions
  • Trauma
    • Fractures
    • Disclocations
    • Tendon injuries
    • Nerve injuries
    • Sprains and strains
    • Burns
  • Post-surgical conditions
    • Dupuytrens
    • Trapeziectomy
    • Joint replacements
    • Carpal Tunnel decompression
    • Fracture fixation
    • Tendon repairs
    • Nerve repairs
    • Trigger thumb/finger release
    • Wrist surgery
    • DeQuervains release
    • Ganglionectomy

Dupuytrens Contracture