The Hand Therapy Clinic
Hand therapy provides therapeutic interventions following injuries and conditions of the hand, wrist, forearm, elbow and shoulder. Ideally, treatment begins within days of the injury or surgery and continues until you are able to return to your activities of daily living. We rarely think about them, but your hands, arms, elbows and shoulders are an important part of your day-to-day activities. It is only when they are stiff, sore or not working properly that we realize how much we rely on this complex group of tendons, muscles and bones. Luckily, the Certified Hand Therapists at Cabell Huntington Hospital's Hand Therapy Clinic have a complete understanding of the upper extremities anatomy and functioning, along with the advanced training, skills and experience to identify the cause of the problems you are encountering and provide treatment. Our CHTs work closely with the orthopedic surgeons and can fabricate splints specifically to meet your needs. The Hand Therapy Clinic is located within the SMART Center.
Following a thorough evaluation, our hand therapists use a multidisciplinary approach in creating an individualized treatment plan for each patient that will reduce the risk of re-injury and restore function in a quick, cost-effective manner. A typical treatment plan might include hand therapy with a CHT, exercises to do at home or a combination of these. Your hand therapist may also be able to suggest new ways of approaching key activities that help diminish pain and reduce the risk of re-injury.
Conditions that Benefit from Hand Therapy
- Tendonitis, tendon and nerve injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Sports injuries
- Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
- Dupuytren’s contracture
- Cumulative trauma disorders
- Birth defects/Congenital deformities
- Repetitive strain conditions
- Crush injuries
- Mallet finger
- Shoulder impingement
- Wounds and infections
- Fractures, dislocations and sprains
- Carpal tunnel syndrome/Cubital tunnel syndrome
- Amputation/Replantation
- Burns and frostbite
- Tennis elbow/Golfer's elbow
- Ligament tears/Instability
- Workers' Compensation Injuries
- Trigger finger
- De Quervain's Syndrome
- Adhesive Capsulitis (Frozen shoulder)
Therapeutic treatment services may include:
- Comprehensive evaluation
- Joint protection techniques
- Assistive technology
- Functional retraining
- Therapeutic exercises
- Scar management and edema control
- Electrical stimulation, ultrasound, heat and ice
- Strengthening exercises
- Desensitization
- Patient education programs
- Individualized strength-building, flexibility/range-of-motion programs
- Ergonomic recommendations
- Activity modification
- Custom splint fabrication (static and dynamic)
- Symptom management
- Wound and pin care
- Pain management
- Range of motion exercises
- Deep tissue massage
- Physical/Functional capacity evaluations
- Scar management
- Edema management
The goal of hand therapy is to reduce your pain, increase your strength and range of motion and help you resume your daily activities at the highest level possible.
A referral from your physician is required. To make an appointment at the Hand Therapy Clinic, please call 304.526.2691. We are conveniently located on Cabell Huntington Hospital’s main campus inside the SMART Center on the ground floor off the atrium.