Pain
Our hands are covered with a lot of nerve endings to allow us to feel different senses through our hands. When hands are injured, we may feel intense pain in the hand and wrist region, and may find that the pain is persistent for a period of time.
Pain in the hand region can be complicated and disabling. It is important to see a hand therapist to assess and help you manage your pain as early as possible.
Common Symptoms:
- Pain in the hand, fingers or forearm
Weakness in the hands, including grip strength - Reduced dexterity, increased clumsiness
- Swelling
- Change of colour of texture of the skin – e.g. redness or shininess
- Change of sensation
Potential causes:
- Nerve injury
- History of hand surgery
- History of other arm injuries
- CRPS (formerly RSD)
Assessment:
Subjective assessment: We will ask you about your hand and wrist injury, how and when it is limiting you, your daily activities and preferred sports, your general health and other potential factors that may contribute to your concerns. We will also ask you what activities you enjoy and what your goal is.
Objective assessment: We will look at your hand and palpate around the area. We will look at your hand and wrist movement and your grip strength. We will look at the rest of your body including your elbow, shoulder, neck and core to see if they are contributing to your condition. We may perform special tests to pinpoint where your limitations may be coming from.
Treatment:
- Education regarding your symptoms and how to manage/reduce them
- Graded exposure to different sensation
- Neural mobilisation
- Muscle and/or other soft tissue release
- Activity modification
- Custom made thermoplastic or neoprene splint, casting if needed
- Taping
- Dry needling
- Home exercise program including stretching, movement and strengthening exercises
- Graded Motor Imagery
Plan:
From the moment we meet you, we are planning an individualised and holistic approach to help you reach your goal and be your best!
Rehabilitate, Educate, Innovate.
Providing excellence in physiotherapy from assessment to diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation