Hand and Microsurgery Associates
If you have a hand or arm disorder or injury, expert hand therapy can help you regain the highest possible degree of function. The team of certified hand therapists (CHTs) at Hand and Microsurgery Associates in Columbus, Ohio, provides a range of therapeutic interventions that ensure optimal recovery from conditions affecting any part of your arm, as well as post-surgical rehabilitation. Call Hand and Microsurgery Associates today to arrange an appointment with the hand therapy team.
Hand Therapy Q & A
What is hand therapy?
Hand therapy is a physical therapy specialty that focuses on treating disorders and injuries affecting not just your hands, but also your:
- Shoulder
- Arm
- Elbow
- Forearm
- Wrist
Hand therapy uses a variety of nonsurgical treatments that help restore the functioning of your hand and arm, and reduce pain levels.
Why is hand therapy so important?
Hand therapy can be essential to your recovery because you depend on your hands for almost everything you do. Hands are capable of both great strength and impressive dexterity, and restoring full function to your hands requires specialist skills.
For this reason, choosing the right provider for your hand therapy is critical. The expert team at Hand and Microsurgery Associates has over 200 years of combined experience. The practice also has the highest number of certified hand therapists (CHTs) in one clinic in the whole of Ohio, so you can trust that you’re in the best hands.
What is a certified hand therapist?
A certified hand therapist (CHT) receives extensive specialist training that enables them to manage the challenging rehabilitation of complex hand and upper extremity injuries. CHTs are the only health professionals to have these skills, which is why Hand and Microsurgery Associates only employs CHTs.
To qualify as a CHT, hand therapists complete a minimum of three years in practice, performing no less than 4,000 hours of hand therapy treatments. They also need to pass an exam before receiving certification.
What conditions can hand therapy treat?
Hand therapy is a vital aspect of your recovery from a range of conditions, including:
- Fractures
- Chronic hand pain
- Tendinitis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
- Trigger finger and thumb
- Lacerations
- Dupuytren’s contracture
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- De Quervain syndrome
Hand therapy is also essential following hand surgeries, including hand, finger, and thumb reattachment, reconstructive hand surgery, and toe-to-thumb transplantation.
What treatments are used in hand therapy?
CHTs use a wide variety of hand therapy treatments, all of which are noninvasive. Your hand therapy treatment plan might include different kinds of physical therapy and massage, as well as exercise programs.
Your therapist also provides education on how to protect your joints and the use of devices, prosthetics, and adaptive equipment to improve hand or arm function. CHTs can work with you to create custom orthotics and provide custom splinting for optimal outcomes.
How does hand therapy fit into my treatment plan?
The practice’s therapists work on-site and in collaboration with the surgical team to provide coordinated, beginning-to-end care for every patient. Hand therapy teams are vital to help you bridge the gap between the medical management of your condition and successful recovery.
In addition to patient care, Hand and Microsurgery Associates CHTs often assist providers by performing clinical testing. These procedures can help to identify hand and arm dysfunction, and thereby assist or confirm a diagnosis.
Let the Hand and Microsurgery Associates team help you live life hands-on. Call their office today to book an appointment.