Hand Therapy

OSF Hand Therapy

Hand Therapy is a type of rehabilitation performed by an occupational therapist on patients with conditions affecting the hands and upper extremities. Such therapy is performed by a provider with a high degree of specialization that requires continuing education and, often, advanced certification. Hand Therapy at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center is tailored to each individual patient using the most current evidence-based therapy treatments resulting in excellent outcomes and top quality service.

What is a Certified Hand Therapist?

The Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential offers assurance to the community the therapist has achieved the highest level of competency in the profession and stays up to date with practice within the field. The CHT credential is also recognized by many professional organizations as a benchmark for excellence in advanced specialty credentialing in health care.

The Difference You Can Expect

• Comprehensive assessment
• Personalized care specific to your condition
• Faster recovery
• Sooner return to work with fewer restrictions

How Important is the Hand?

The hand is essential for independence in everyday activities. Every hand contains approximately 29 bones, 29 major joints, 123 ligaments, 34 muscles to move the fingers and the thumb, 48 nerves, and 30 named arteries. The hand has the ability to flex, extend, oppose and grip so you are able to perform activities of daily living. The hand's ability to feel provides you with the ability to touch without looking and also protects you from injury. An injury to the hand not only affects your ability to perform daily tasks but can also affect your livelihood.

Who is a Candidate for Hand Therapy?

Patients who are candidates for hand therapy might have been affected by an accident or trauma leaving them with wounds, scars, burns, injured tendons or nerves, fractures, or amputations of the fingers, hands or arms. Others include patients who suffer from the effects of conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow, as well as chronic problems such as arthritis.

What Does Hand Therapy Provide?

Hand therapy provides preventative, non-operative or conservative treatment for:

• Management of acute or chronic pain
• Desensitization following nerve injury or trauma
• Design and implementation of home exercise programs
• Splint fabrication for prevention or correction of injury
• Training in the performance of daily life skills through adaptive methods and equipment
• Conditioning prior to returning to work
  Post-operative rehabilitation may also include:
• Management of open or sutured wounds
• Control of hypertrophic (raised or swollen) or hypersensitive scars
• Reduction of swelling
• Fabrication of splints to protect surgery or increase movement

Contact Information

For more information about OSF St. Joseph Rehabilitation Services, please call (309) 661-6260. For a full listing of OSF Rehab locations and services, please visit our OSF Rehabilitation home page.