Why Hand Physiotherapy is Your New Best Friend?
If you recently had any hand injury, fracture, tendon injury or wrist pain, then you must be going through some pain and limitation and realising the fact that such small joints are also capable of creating havoc in your life.
Imagine trying to text, tie your shoelaces, or high-five your bestie without fully functioning hands. It sounds like a handful, right? That’s where hand physiotherapy comes in to save the day!
Various conditions that require hand therapy:
- Fractures of hand bones or fingers.
- Tendon injuries (e.g., flexor or extensor tendon repairs)
Nerve injuries (e.g., median, ulnar, or radial nerve)
- Wrist pain
- Crush injuries
- Burns
- Amputations
- Dupuytren’s contracture
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS)
Our hands are the unsung heroes of daily life, performing countless tasks we often take for granted. If you have come across a hand physiotherapist for the first time, you might be wondering what is the big deal about a small hand that it requires a specialised and dedicated hand therapist? Let me tell you why.
1. Did you know that there are a total 19 bones in such a small hand. These bones have rich blood supply. No cell lies more than 300 micrometer from a blood vessel. Imagine 19 members living together in a small 1RK and all these 19 members have different shapes, sizes, characteristics and their dynamics with each other are as diverse as the indian constitution. Not one rule applies to all. Then wouldn’t you need a specialist to understand the dynamics and treat the hand with a sharp and observant eye?
2. According to Dr. Alfred Swanson, an eminent hand surgeon,
If a hand fracture is not treated, it develops a deformity.
If it is over-treated, it develops stiffness.
If it is poorly treated, it develops both deformity and stiffness.
So the only way to get an optimal outcome is to reach out to a good hand physiotherapist who understands the bones, muscles, blood vessels, nerves like the back of their hand.
3. If the above two explanations are not convincing enough, then look at the image below. This is the representation of different body parts in the brain. Notice the large expanse of representation for your wrist, hand, fingers and thumb. It implies that even God intended to make the hand a specialised and valuable part of the human body.
Here are some scientific facts about hand therapy following hand injuries, including its benefits:
- Pain management: Hand therapy incorporates various pain management techniques, including soft tissue and joint mobilization, desensitization and graded motor imagery.
- Early Range of Motion (ROM) Exercises: Early initiation of hand therapy, often within days of injury or surgery, is crucial for optimal outcomes. Passive and active ROM exercises help prevent joint stiffness and adhesion formation.
Your hand physiotherapist will guide you about the exercises you need to do and most importantly, the google/YouTube one-fits-all version of exercises you need to stay away from.
3. Edema Management: Techniques like elevation, compression, coban wrap, contrast bath and manual lymphatic drainage help reduce swelling. (Research showed that kinesiology taping significantly reduced post-traumatic hand edema compared to traditional methods)
4. Scar Management: Techniques such as manual scar release, silicone gel sheets, and pressure therapy improve scar appearance and pliability.
(An analysis of 30 studies concluded that silicone-based products were effective in preventing and treating hypertrophic scars.)
5. Strengthening Exercises: Progressive resistance exercises improve muscle strength and endurance.
(A study on hand injuries showed that patients who underwent a structured strengthening program had significantly better grip strength at 12 weeks post-injury compared to those who didn’t.)
6. Sensory Re-education: For nerve injuries, sensory re-education techniques help improve tactile gnosis and functional sensibility.
(Research indicates that sensory re-education can lead to cortical reorganization and improved sensory function even years after injury.)
7. Functional Training: Task-specific training improves patients’ ability to perform activities of daily living.
(Studies show that incorporating occupation-based interventions in hand therapy leads to better functional outcomes and patient satisfaction.)
8. Other Benefits of Hand Therapy:
a) Improved hand function and dexterity
b) Increased strength and range of motion
c) Reduced pain and edema
d) Prevention of secondary complications
e) Faster return to work and daily activities
f) Improved quality of life
These scientific facts highlight the importance and efficacy of hand therapy in the rehabilitation of hand injuries.
So, the next time someone asks if you need a hand, tell them you’ve got it covered – thanks to hand physiotherapy. Your future self (and your hands) will thank you!
If you are HANDling any of these hand conditions, contact us today. Our hand physiotherapists are happy to lend a helping hand!
Call us now on 8879970571/8928475928.
Dr. Pratha Mehta (PT)
Orthopaedic Physiotherapist,
Hand Rehab Specialist,
BPT, MPT (KEM, Mumbai),
DNHE (IGNOU), CKT,Certified NDS Practitioner
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