Let chats about what an Orthopedic Occupational Therapist and Certified Hand Therapist actually does.
When it comes to recovering from a hand or wrist injury, an orthopedic occupational therapist and certified hand therapist (CHT) can play a vital role in your rehabilitation journey. These skilled professionals possess specialized knowledge and expertise in treating conditions related to the upper extremities. We are frequently referred to as PT's (Physical Therapists) but there are differences! In this blog post, we will explore the multifaceted role of an orthopedic occupational therapist and CHT, shedding light on the comprehensive care we provide to help patients regain function, independence, and live your life!
Evaluation and Assessment:
At the heart of an orthopedic occupational therapist and CHT's role is the evaluation and assessment of patients' hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder conditions. We have an in-depth understanding of the anatomy, biomechanics, and functional implications of upper extremity injuries. Through careful examination, we assess range of motion, strength, sensation, coordination, and any other relevant factors to develop a personalized treatment plan. We want to know your goals! What motivates you? What do you want to get back to? How is this injury limiting you? It's your life and your body, we are helping you care for it!
Individualized Treatment Plans:
Orthopedic occupational therapists and CHTs design tailored treatment plans based on the specific needs and goals of each patient. These plans incorporate various therapeutic modalities and techniques to promote healing, restore function, and minimize pain. Some common treatment approaches may include:
Therapeutic exercises:
We prescribe exercises to target your trouble spots to help get you back to your goals. Some people need to increased strength, some people need to improve mobility, some people need to focus on fine motor control and coordination... most people need a combination of everything. We do exercises in session together with one on one guidance and then give you a custom home exercise plan so you can keep working even when we aren't in session with you!
Manual therapy:
Through skilled hands-on techniques, therapists mobilize and manipulate joints, soft tissues, and scar tissue to improve flexibility, reduce pain, decrease swelling and enhance function. Ensuring your joints and muscles can be stretched to full range is the precursor to you being able to move through a full range! Cupping is a tool we use to help reduce myosfacial restrictions and improve blood flow....and oh it feels amazing!
Custom splinting:
Based on your injury or condition we may suggest, design and fabricate custom splints to support and protect the injured hand, wrist or elbow. These splints help maintain proper alignment, promote healing, and provide stability during activities. Think of a brace you buy at the store but 100x better because it is custom molded to you!
Pain management techniques:
This is always our focus! We cannot expect you to do exercises and everything you love when your in pain! Chronic pain can start to affect just about every aspect of our life. We use tools, hand on manual work or modalities to help improve your pain. Ice or heat you ask? We will educate you based on what your are suffering from.
Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Training:
As an ortho OT and CHTs we always focus on helping patients regain independence in performing their daily activities. We can provide training in adaptive techniques, assistive devices, and modifications to enable you to accomplish tasks such as dressing, grooming, cooking, and self-care while your injury limits you. By developing strategies to adapt to the injury or condition, therapists empower patients to navigate their daily lives more effectively.
Work and Ergonomic Rehabilitation:
For individuals whose injuries impact their ability to work, we can provide specialized vocational rehabilitation. We can assess job demands, recommend modifications, and develop strategies to facilitate a safe return to work. Additionally, we offer ergonomic guidance to ensure optimal hand and wrist positioning and prevent repetitive strain injuries in the workplace. Hello, ergonomic mouse!
Patient Education and Home Exercise Programs:
A crucial aspect of our role is educating patients about their condition, treatment plan, and self-management techniques. (This is my favorite part!) We teach you about what is going on in your body so you can understand how to improve it! We educate on proper body mechanics, ergonomics, and exercises that you can continue at home to maintain progress between therapy sessions. Empowering patients with knowledge and skills enhances their engagement in the recovery process and promotes long-term well-being!
We work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team, including orthopedic surgeons, physiatrists, and other healthcare professionals. This team-based approach ensures comprehensive and coordinated care, facilitating optimal outcomes for patients.
Orthopedic occupational therapists and certified hand therapists are skilled professionals who specialize in the assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder conditions. Our expertise in understanding the complexities of upper extremity injuries allows them to design individualized treatment plans, provide education, and empower patients to regain function and independence. With our compassionate care and commitment to improving patients' lives, we play a vital role in the recovery and rehabilitation process.
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