hand therapy?

suzster
suzster Member Posts: 1,328
edited 5. Jul 2009, 13:42 in Living with Arthritis archive
anyone know what hand therapy will be like?
i got an appointment sent through after seeing the hand surgeon but i have no idea what it is!
the sugeon didn't mention that he was refering me to them so i have no idea what to expect!!
anyone know?

Comments

  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi, Hand therapy was mentioned to me as a possilbe post op treatment after carpel tunnel surgery. I had the impressione that its physio type exercises to help increase hand movement, but thats just a guess. Sorry I can't be more helpful. Love Sue
  • joyful164
    joyful164 Member Posts: 2,401
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hand therapy is carried out to help alleviate stiff and swollen hands after op. It is also done for anyone with RA hands.

    This is what our local Occupational Health dept do. I have attended for nearly 2 years now for my RA hands and I have watched them deal with post op CTS and anyone who has had accidents at work and damaged their hands.

    When you first go, they will assess your movement by measuring your clenched fist and measuring the knuckles. They will write down every measurement of every knuckle and fingers.
    They may then use ultra sound to help get rid of any inflammation.

    Test your grip using soft ball.
    Rolling up something like plasterceine
    And maybe gentle massage.

    This is what I think might happen in your case.
    I will be interested to know if it is different.

    joyful
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 2. Jul 2009, 16:22
    joyful164 wrote:
    Hand therapy is carried out to help alleviate stiff and swollen hands after op. It is also done for anyone with RA hands.

    This is what our local Occupational Health dept do. I have attended for nearly 2 years now for my RA hands and I have watched them deal with post op CTS and anyone who has had accidents at work and damaged their hands.

    When you first go, they will assess your movement by measuring your clenched fist and measuring the knuckles. They will write down every measurement of every knuckle and fingers.
    They may then use ultra sound to help get rid of any inflammation.

    Test your grip using soft ball.

    This sounds very nice. I hope I'm offered it. Sue

    Thats the sort of thing that was proposed to me for after CTS scar is healed. I've found although most of the symptoms have gone my hand feels very stiff and sore. I do have quite a good grip in it though. Love Sue
    Rolling up something like plasterceine
    And maybe gentle massage.

    This is what I think might happen in your case.
    I will be interested to know if it is different.

    joyful
    This sounds good. Maybe they'll offer me something similar! :) Sue
  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,395
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    When I had hand therapy lots of years ago my hands were immersed in a hot paraffin wax - this sets and then you peel it off and mould it into a ball. All your hand joints are left warm and supple from the treatment and as Joy says you are then given a series of exercises to put your joints through their full range.

    Things may have changed now though - let us know when you've found out. Hope it goes okay.

    Luv Legs :D
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
  • suzster
    suzster Member Posts: 1,328
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    it's proving tough to get an appointment!
    they only seem to be able to offer appoinments between 2 and 4pm, which when i have an older daughter to get from school is hard to get to.
    you see i need a lift to hospital as i don't drive and the combination of a train ride then a bus ride is hard work, then i have my 2 yr old to think about, so if my mum takes me she can look after sarah whilst i'm in there but then i have no one to get ellie (my eldest) so i'm still trying to work it out!!!
  • valval
    valval Member Posts: 14,911
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hasn't she got school friend she could go to play with from school u could do same for them another day kids love going to friends 4 t would give u more time :)
    val
  • emmarose33
    emmarose33 Member Posts: 86
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    suzster wrote:
    anyone know what hand therapy will be like?
    i got an appointment sent through after seeing the hand surgeon but i have no idea what it is!
    the sugeon didn't mention that he was refering me to them so i have no idea what to expect!!
    anyone know?

    Joyful and Lindalegs have given good explainations. I attend roughly every 2 weeks. I have strength measured, angles of my joints etc. Do exercises with putty etc. They also do the parafin wax - my sister bought me a wax bath from argos for christmas which I have at home and use to relieve stiffness.
  • suzster
    suzster Member Posts: 1,328
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    sounds good then, i'm booked in for next monday at 2pm, managed to get my mum to take me and look after little sarah and my dad's going to get ellie from school so all good!
  • lindalegs
    lindalegs Member Posts: 5,395
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Glad you're sorted. Let us know how you go on.

    Luv Legs :D
    Love, Legs x
    'Make a life out of what you have, not what you're missing'
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