Hand Physiotherapy
What is Hand Therapy?
Hand therapy is a form of specialist therapy that includes specialist assessment and treatment which may include splinting, referral for steroid injection or surgical opinion.
How Hand Therapy can help you
If you have a hand condition, Zoe Jones has 13 years experience in assessing and treating hand and wrist problems. She has worked for many years with the local and regional orthopaedic specialists and is very experienced in diagnosing these problems.
Conditions
- Hand therapy includes the management of
- Osteoarthritis of fingers, thumb, hand and wrist
- Rheumatoid arthritis and other Rheumatological conditions
- Tendonitis and muscle strains
- Wrist or digit fractures and other trauma soft tissue injuries
- De Quervains (tendonitis of the thumb)
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Work related wrist and hand pain
- Trigger finger/thumb
What does treatment involve?
Zoe will assess your condition and may advise on exercise, putty work, splinting, electrotherapy, taping, acupuncture, referral for steroid injection or surgical opinion. In cases of fractures, manual therapy can be very useful to regain movement after time in plaster casts.
Conditions treated by hand therapy
Osteoarthritis of fingers, thumb, hand and wrist
Osteoarthritis is degenerative changes in the joints that often occur as you get older. It causes pain, stiffness and weakness in the hand. Hand therapy can help with splinting, exercises and topical treatments for pain such as acupuncture and electrotherapy. Zoe can refer patients for steroid injections if indicated.
Rheumatoid arthritis and other Rheumatological conditions
Rheumatoid arthritis and associated inflammatory conditions are characterised by inflammatory erosive arthritis. These conditions often have swelling, pain and limited movement. Zoe expertly manages these patients with splints, massage for swelling control and long term management of reducing the impacts of flare ups.
Tendonitis and muscle strains including work related hand and wrist pain
This encompasses overuse injuries and repetitive work related disorders. Often these conditions can make hand use very painful and can also be accompanied by swelling. Zoe can work with patients to reduce symptoms and return patients to their functional goals. She can help with ergonomic suggestions to prevent reoccurrence.
Wrist or digit fractures and other trauma soft tissue injuries
Trauma injuries of the hand, wrist and fingers includes breaks in the bones, dislocations and ligament tears/sprains.
Zoe has many years experience of working in the local hand trauma clinic and is an expert at managing the stiffness and weakness associated with the management of these injuries. She is also an expert at assessing new injuries and arranging the appropriate referral to Orthopaedic specialists if urgent management including surgery is indicated.
De Quervains (tendonitis of the thumb)
This is a common condition especially in new mums and certain occupations. It is characterised by pain and sometimes swelling over the thumb side of the wrist.
This condition can be managed effectively with the correct splint and rehab.
If this doesn’t help to settle the pain sometimes a steroid injection may be indicated.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a fairly common condition which causes pins and needles, numbness and the sometimes weakness in the hand. It is often worse at night.
Appropriate splinting and stretching can settle this down.
A steroid injection or surgery may be needed in the most severe cases.
Trigger finger/thumb
This condition causes triggering and/or locking of the digit. Splinting is the most conservative management. Steroid injection or surgical release can also be offered. Zoe can liaise with the Orthopaedic Surgeons if onward referral is needed.
Paediatric Hand Conditions
Zoe is happy to assess and treat hand conditions of any age. She has experience of managing hand conditions from 9 months up to 100 years!
If you wish Zoe to assess your child’s hand condition, she will explain to you the diagnosis and management whilst making your child feel at ease. An element of play is often incorporated into sessions with younger children.
