For an athlete, hearing that a broken bone has healed or that surgery was successful can feel like the finish line. In reality, it may only be the beginning of the final stage of recovery. A hand or wrist can look much better on an X-ray and still lack the strength, coordination, endurance, mobility, or […]
Hand therapy has always involved movement. But the way therapists help patients practice that movement is changing. New rehabilitation technologies are creating additional ways to make therapy more engaging, measurable, and task-focused. One example receiving increasing attention is virtual reality, or VR, which can allow patients to practice simulated activities while receiving feedback from a […]
Hand Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy
Broken Finger? Why Hand Therapy Matters Even After the Bone Heals
05
Oct
Oct
Breaking a finger can seem like a straightforward injury. You get an X-ray. The fracture is identified. Your finger is splinted or supported. You wait for the bone to heal. Then the splint comes off. You expect your finger to feel normal again. Instead, it may be stiff, swollen, weak, or difficult to bend. You […]
Your wrist does not have to be completely painful for something to feel wrong. Sometimes the problem is a strange sense that your wrist cannot be trusted. You reach for something and feel hesitant. You put your hand down to push yourself up from a chair and your wrist feels uncomfortable or weak. You carry […]
Not every wrist problem announces itself with a dramatic injury. Sometimes it starts as a small ache on the pinky side of the wrist. You notice it when opening a jar. Then it bothers you while turning a doorknob. A few days later, pushing yourself up from a chair feels uncomfortable. If you play sports, […]
The injury may be over. The cast is off. The incision has healed. The swelling has gone down. Maybe your doctor has even told you that the injured tissue is healing well. So why does your hand still not feel like your hand? You try to pick up a mug and notice that you are […]
Getting back to work after a hand or upper-extremity injury can be more complicated than simply waiting until the pain improves. A person may be able to move their fingers again but still struggle to type for several hours. Someone recovering from surgery may have enough strength to lift a light object but not enough […]
Hand Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy
Why Do My Fingers Feel Stiff in the Morning? Common Causes and When to Seek Hand Therapy
18
Sep
Sep
The first few minutes after waking up should not require a negotiation with your hands. Yet for many people, morning starts with fingers that feel tight, swollen, or difficult to move. You may have to slowly open and close your hands before you can comfortably hold a coffee mug. Maybe your rings feel tighter than […]
Hand Therapy, Health Article, Occupational Therapy
Wound Care After Hand Surgery or Injury: Why Proper Healing Matters
16
Sep
Sep
A hand injury does not always end when the surgery is over or the wound is closed. For many patients, what happens in the weeks that follow can greatly affect how comfortably the hand heals and how well it eventually functions. Swelling, tenderness, scar tissue, limited movement, and sensitivity can all make it harder to […]
Hand Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy
Why Do My Fingers Feel Stiff in the Morning? Common Causes and When to Seek Hand Therapy
11
Sep
Sep
The first few minutes after waking up should not require a negotiation with your hands. Yet for many people, morning starts with fingers that feel tight, swollen, or difficult to move. You may have to slowly open and close your hands before you can comfortably hold a coffee mug. Maybe your rings feel tighter than […]