Hand & Wrist

Hand and wrist physical therapy is a specialized form of rehabilitation aimed at treating injuries, conditions, or surgical recovery involving the hand, wrist, and forearm. These areas are crucial for fine motor skills and day-to-day activities such as writing, typing, grasping objects, and performing manual tasks. Physical therapy for the hand and wrist focuses on relieving pain, improving range of motion, restoring strength, and enhancing overall function to help individuals regain their ability to perform everyday tasks with ease.

Common Conditions Treated in Hand and Wrist Physical Therapy:

1. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome – Compression of the median nerve in the wrist, leading to symptoms like numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand and fingers.
2. Wrist Sprains and Strains – Injuries to the ligaments or muscles of the wrist, often due to trauma or repetitive motion, causing pain, swelling, and weakness.
3. Arthritis – Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can affect the hand and wrist, leading to pain, swelling, and stiffness.
4. Tendinitis (De Quervain's Tenosynovitis) – Inflammation of the tendons in the wrist, often caused by repetitive use, such as in typing, lifting, or sports activities.
5. Fractures – Breaks in the bones of the hand or wrist, such as a distal radius fracture, scaphoid fracture, or finger fractures, requiring rehabilitation to restore function post-healing.
6. Trigger Finger – A condition where a finger gets "stuck" in a bent position due to inflammation of the tendons that control the fingers, often leading to pain and limited movement.
7. Dupuytren’s Contracture – A condition where the connective tissue in the palm thickens and tightens, causing one or more fingers to bend inward.
8. Nerve Compression or Injury – Issues like ulnar nerve compression at the elbow or median nerve issues at the wrist that cause tingling, numbness, or weakness in the hand.
9. Post-Surgical Rehabilitation – Following surgeries such as carpal tunnel release, tendon repairs, or fracture fixation, physical therapy is crucial for regaining strength, mobility, and function.
10. Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI) – Injuries caused by repetitive motions, often affecting the wrist and hand, such as those seen in office workers or athletes.

Goals of Hand and Wrist Physical Therapy:

• Pain Relief: Reduce acute or chronic pain using modalities like heat, cold, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation.
• Restoring Range of Motion (ROM): Improve the flexibility and movement of the wrist, fingers, and hand to restore full functional use.
• Strengthening: Build strength in the muscles and tendons of the hand and wrist to support and stabilize the joint, particularly important after injury or surgery.
• Functional Recovery: Help patients regain the ability to perform tasks like typing, writing, holding objects, or gripping, which are essential for daily life.
• Scar Management: After surgery or trauma, therapy may include techniques to reduce scarring and improve tissue mobility around the hand and wrist.
• Preventing Further Injury: Teach proper ergonomics, posture, and body mechanics to reduce strain on the wrist and hand, especially for those with repetitive use injuries.