Hand and Arm Recovery with a Certified Hand Therapist

Your upper extremities, from your fingertips to your shoulders, have intricate systems. They are vital for daily tasks. Injury, overuse or a medical condition can affect their function. The complex anatomy and mechanics of these systems require the specialized knowledge of a certified hand therapist (CHT). These medical professionals offer expertise, partnering with you during recovery to regain use of your arm, wrist and hand.

What a certified hand therapist helps with

A CHT is an occupational or physical therapist with advanced training and clinical experience, accumulating a minimum of three years and 4,000 hours in upper extremity rehabilitation. The therapist must also pass a rigorous specialty certification exam in hand therapy, in addition to their initial occupational or physical therapy licensing. This specialized focus allows them to assess and treat a wide array of conditions affecting everything from your fingertips to your shoulders.

Common issues a CHT addresses include:

• Fractures and sprains – CHTs guide healing for broken wrists, fingers and other arm bones, even after surgery. "Wrist fractures are common, and while immobilization is the first step, regaining full strength and mobility requires targeted therapy,” explained Lolli Odom, Certified Hand Specialist at St. Luke’s Health - Patients Medical Center.

• Tendon and ligament injuries – CHTs use therapeutic exercises and splinting to promote healing and restore function. Areas treated include tendonitis and complex repairs.

• Nerve compression syndromes – CHT intervention helps manage conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome. These conditions cause pain, weakness or numbness. Intervention includes nerve gliding exercises and ergonomic adjustments. 

• Arthritis and joint stiffness – CHTs manage chronic pain and improve joint mobility through specialized exercises, custom splints and adaptive techniques. “For patients with conditions like thumb arthritis, our goal is to alleviate pain. We also teach adaptive strategies and provide splints that can help postpone the need for surgery,” said Lolli.

• Post-surgical rehabilitation – CHTs are crucial in guiding structured programs after surgery. These programs help regain strength, dexterity and range of motion. Rehabilitation often begins within days of the procedure. 

• Traumatic injuries – Crush injuries, amputations and burns to the upper extremity also fall within a CHT’s expertise.

The value of professional care – Why a CHT provides more than self-help

While online resources may offer "self-help" solutions, the personalized care from a CHT goes beyond generic advice. Professional guidance maximizes your recovery and safeguards against potential harm from self-treatment. Here’s how:

• Personalized treatment plans:  A CHT’s assessment considers your specific injury, history and lifestyle. They create a customized treatment plan. This ensures interventions align with your needs. Online videos do not provide this and may aggravate your condition or delay healing.

• In-depth knowledge and skilled intervention: CHTs understand arm anatomy and biomechanics. This expertise allows them to identify subtle issues and provide specialized exercises, manual therapy and custom splints. Relying on unverified online information risks misinterpretations. This can cause further injury or chronic problems from inappropriate exercises.

• Expert correction and guided progression: During therapy, a CHT provides real-time observation and feedback, correcting improper form and adjusting exercises. This hands-on guidance prevents compensatory movements and ensures safe progression. Without supervision, corrections are missed. This can cement incorrect patterns, amplify pain or permanently damage tissues.

• Coordinated care: CHTs work with physicians and surgeons, ensuring an integrated approach to your recovery. This collaboration optimizes outcomes and helps prevent complications. Self-treating isolates you from this network, leaving you to navigate decisions alone.

• Restoring functional independence and quality of life: CHTs focus on restoring movement, empowering you to participate in daily activities. They help you adapt tasks, allowing you to button a shirt, cook a meal or return to hobbies. Without expert guidance, frustration and a reduced quality of life can result, potentially prolonging healing.

If you live with upper extremity pain or discomfort, ask your doctor for a referral to a CHT. Find a primary care physician near you to schedule an appointment today.