Construction Hand Injuries In Oceanside NY

East End Occupational Therapy is a specialized hand and upper extremity rehabilitation practice that has been dedicated to providing a complete and comprehensive range of occupational therapy services to its patients. The team at East End Occupational Therapy strives to deliver the best evidence based care possible through our client centered approach.

Not only is our practice in direct contact with your physician from the initial examination through your discharge, we also work closely with your surgeon to develop an optimal plan of care with the goal of restoring your functional independence. Most of us rely on our hands routinely and it is not until we suffer an injury that we recognize the importance of our hand function when performing daily living skills. The mission of East End Occupational Therapy is to provide our patients with compassionate and skilled therapy of the hand, wrist, forearm, elbow and shoulder as we tailor individualized treatment plans to help improve quality of life. Contact us for quality hand therapy in Oceanside.

A hand therapist is an occupation that focuses on treated and addressing issues in the upper extremity of the arm. While it is called hand therapy, this therapy can extend to wrist, forearm, and elbow issues as well because these body parts are close together and often affect each other. Hand therapists use many different methods and therapeutic interventions to manage complications and issues in your hand. Because the hands and upper extremities in the arms can be complicated with many small parts working together, it can require specialized care and a knowledge base to examine and treat. To get hand therapy in Oceanside and get the help you need, reach out to us at East End Occupational Therapy!

A hand therapist is an occupational therapist or physical therapist that continues on through advanced education and clinical experience to become proficient and specialized in hand specific complications and treatment. In general, the steps involved to get a specialize in hand therapy are clear. First, you must have a doctorate in physical therapy or occupational therapy. Then you have to take advanced education courses specifically in hand therapy. Furthermore, at least three years of clinical experience in clinics for occupational therapy or physical therapies are required. Once you have completed all the prerequisites, you need to take the hand therapy certification examination. Completing this examination means you are officially certified as a hand therapist. To meet with a hand therapist for occupational therapy in Oceanside, contact us at East End Occupational Therapy and see what we have to offer.

A qualified hand therapist evaluates and treats complications in the upper extremities. They provide this care through rehabilitation, non-operative interventions, preventative care, and consultation. Some of the tools and therapeutic interventions include:

• Exercise regimes
• Behavior management
• Compressive therapy
• Manual therapy
• Wound management
• Scar tissue management
• Joint protection
• Prosthetic training

These are just a few examples of the many techniques a hand therapist may use to help patients. By using these techniques in ways designed specifically for hand treatments, these health care professionals can help you manage many different complications. Combined with special therapies that focus on the hands and enhance preventive care measures, a hand therapist might be just what you need to overcome your condition. To learn more about hand therapy and get occupational therapy in Oceanside, reach out to us at East End Occupational Therapy and get the help you need!

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Contact Us For Hand Therapy in Oceanside

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What Are The Most Common Work-Related Hand Injuries?

No one expects to sustain an injury while they’re on the clock at work. However, the unfortunate reality is that many employees face this situation each day. In any given year, upwards of 7 million injuries will take place in the workplace. Construction workers specifically must be careful of damaging the ligaments, joints, and bones in their hands. An injured hand for someone who does manual labor could mean missing out on work and paychecks for weeks even months if the injury is not properly diagnosed and treated. If you’ve recently suffered a hand injury and now need hand therapy in Oceanside, consider reaching out to our team at East End Occupational Therapy. Our team of experts offers hand therapy as one of our treatment services that can be used to heal your ailment while limiting the risk of long term issues arising.

Common Hand Injuries

People tend to take the functionality of their hands for granted. Everyday tasks can become impossible to perform when your hands are riddled with pain, which is why our team is committed to offering the services needed to heal. Some of the most common injuries we can treat include:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Fractures.
• Sprains or strains.

What Can Cause A Hand Injury?

Having a full understanding of what can cause a hand injury will go a long way in helping you avoid them. One of the most common causes is not wearing protective gloves that are necessary for your job. Other causes include:

• Overuse.
• Slips and falls.
• Burns.  

When Care Is Needed

During at least one point in all of our lives, we’ve neglected to give an injury the attention and care it deserves. While sometimes doing so will present no issues, ignoring injuries all of the time can end with disastrous results. Even the smallest cut or injury can snowball into serious complications that can result in permanent damage. To avoid this from happening, contact a medical professional immediately when any of the below become present:

• A deep, gaping cut.
• Loss of strength.
• The inability to move your hand.
• Severe bleeding or pain.
• Fractures or dislocations.  

Preventing Hand Injuries

When you suffer a hand injury, and need hand therapy in Oceanside, make East End Occupational Therapy your first call. We offer the highest quality hand therapy available for all patients in need. However, while our care will help you make a full recovery, there is an even more effective way of receiving treatment, and that is avoiding an injury altogether. By following the advice we have listed out below, you can do your part in keeping yourself injury-free:

• If your job requires them, always wear protective gloves.
• Point out unsafe working conditions to your boss as soon as they arise.
• Take sufficient breaks when you begin to feel discomfort to avoid overuse injuries.
• Always be aware of your surroundings at your place of work.

Hand Therapy At East End Occupational Therapy

At East End Occupational Therapy, hand therapy involves more than just your hands. Our team of experts handles ailments of your entire upper extremity, which in addition to your hand, includes your shoulder, arm, elbow, and wrist. If you’ve sustained an injury at work, we’ll diagnose the exact issue at hand. Once this is done, we will use a variety of our hands-on techniques and proven modalities to reduce your pain and other symptoms that are present as a result of your injury. 

For those that have suffered a hand injury and are looking for hand therapy in Oceanside, waiting to receive treatment will be a mistake. At East End Occupational Therapy, our goal is to administer outstanding care that leaves every patient both satisfied and healthy. If you’re ready to take the first step in recovery, make sure you schedule an appointment with us today. We promise you’ll always be our top priority.    

Understanding Hand Injuries in Construction

Your hands are your most important tool. Construction worksites can be a focal point for hand injuries. That is why it is important to understand and prevent injuries from occurring. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, each year more than a million workers are sent to the emergency room because of hand injuries. The estimated costs can skyrocket up to $70,000 for injuries such as severed tendon, according to the National Safety Council, keeping in mind that indirect costs such as time off aren’t counted for. If you are currently experiencing a hand injury from the workplace and seeking hand therapy in Oceanside, then contact us at East End Occupational Therapy. Our team will assess your hands and develop a treatment plan right for you and get you back to work. 

Common Types of Hand Injuries 

A construction worksite can provide a wide variety of threats to your hands, which can include burns, bruises, or cuts. However, other serious injuries that are common in construction include: 

•  Lacerations-Deep cuts or tears in the flesh.
•  Crushes- A body part such as your hand, arm or wrist getting caught between heavy machinery or equipment. 
• Avulsions- Occurs when a bone is being pulled from one direction and a tendon/ ligament being pulled from another. 
• Punctures- Nails, needles, knives, tacks, or other sharp objects penetrating the skin and causing a wound deeper than a cut or scrape. 
• Fractures- Break in one of the bones of your hands because of either a trip, fall, or a crush.  
• Detachments- Serious injury involving either the hand or fingers being pulled or separated from the body. 

What Causes Hand Injuries?

Regardless of age, gender, or the industry you work in, everyone is at risk for hand injuries. The main cause of hand injuries in the workplace is the lack of protective equipment. Most injuries occur because workers aren’t wearing gloves when handling potentially hazardous equipment.

Lack of or disregard of safety education and procedures is common. Less-experience or entry-level workers are more prone or at higher risk for injuries due to their lack of on-the-job experience or an increased sense of pressure to get the job done quickly. Employers should pay special attention to entry-level workers. 

Lastly, hand injuries can also occur when an employee is either distracted or not focused. 

Prevention

Your hands are important because they are critical to your everyday life. That is why injuries need to be avoided when they can. Our hand therapy in Oceanside can help you find ways to get your hands back to normal conditions and back to work. Here are some ways you can prevent injuries happening at your worksite. 

Providing and wearing personal protective equipment– Employers should provide protective equipment such as gloves. Keep in mind the type of gloves your employees may need depending on the type of work they do. For example, a synthetic rubber glove may protect against burns but not against abrasions or cuts. 

Provide safety training– Employers should implement a training program for entry-level workers who may be unfamiliar with common equipment. Employers should also implement a wellness program for workers over the age of 55. Despite their risk of injury being lesser than those with a lack of experience, their recovery time is longer if an injury does happen. 

Have an open door– Employers should provide a platform or space for employees to ask questions or voice their concerns about any safety standards they may have. 

How Hand Therapy in Oceanside Can Help 

If you recently experienced a hand injury and seeking hand therapy in Oceanside. Contact us today to set up an appointment. Our team at East End Occupational Therapy will assess the issue and develop an individualized treatment plan that is right for you. 

Hand Injuries

Made up of an intricate network of bones, muscles, nerves, ligaments, and tendons all working together to allow for movement, the hands are an impressive anatomical structure.  However, due to their complexity, even the slightest injury can throw off the entire functionality of your hands.  To prevent this from occurring, patients should seek out hand therapy in Oceanside as soon as an injury takes place.  Our team at East End Occupational Therapy will help nurse your hands back to full health, and prevent any long-lasting complications from taking place.

Common Hand Injury Causes 

The hands play a role in almost all of your daily activities.  Due to this fact, it stands to reason that there are a lot of different causes that can lead to injuries to these body parts.  Below are examples of the six general categories hand injury causes are broken down into, all of which can be helped with hand therapy in Oceanside:

• Lacerations.
• Fractures and dislocations.
• Soft tissue injuries.
• Burns.
• Infections.
• High-pressure injuries.

Sprains And Tears

There are numerous ligaments and tendons spread throughout the hand and wrist that allow for proper movement.  Ligaments are responsible for bone-to-bone connections, while tendons attach muscles to bones.  When these tissues become overused or are forced to stretch outside of their normal range of motion, they become sprained or torn.  This damage to the ligaments and tendons will compromise hand functionality, and quickly decrease your quality of life.  Depending on its severity and location, a sprain or tear can lead to the following symptoms:

• Limited range of motion.
• Pain when resting or moving.
• Swelling and inflammation.
• Difficulty with grasping and holding.

Breaks And Fractures      

Breaks and fractures can take place to any of the bones in your hands and wrist.  When you’ve sustained an injury such as this in these areas, you must seek out treatment right away.  Casting your hand and wrist will ensure that the bones heal correctly, eliminating the risk of misalignment that requires surgery to correct.  When proper rehabilitation does not take place, patients open themselves up to issues such as:

• Damage to the nerves and blood vessels.
• The development of osteoarthritis.
• Prolonged stiffness or aching in the injured area.   

Mallet Finger   

Mallet finger is a condition that takes place in the tendons in the tip of your fingers and thumbs. When this condition is present, it means that the tendon has become damaged, usually as a result of it being hit with a direct force. This damage leads to the finger drooping and being unable to point out straight. By utilizing our service of handy therapy in Oceanside, you’ll see a realignment of the damaged tendon and your finger, allowing the below symptoms to be eliminated:

• Bruising.
• Redness.
• Swelling.
• Tenderness.
• Inability to straighten your fingertips. 

De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis

If you’ve recently begun to experience pain or swelling near the base of your thumb, it could be a sign that you’re dealing with de Quervain’s tenosynovitis. This condition is a painful one that affects the tendons on the thumb side of your wrist. Chronic overuse of the wrist is believed to be the culprit of this condition. However, other causes that can lead to damage and pain to these tendons include:

• Sustaining a direct injury to your wrist.
• The development of scar tissue that hinders the tendon’s range of motion.
• Inflammatory arthritis.   

Dislocated Fingers

One final hand injury our team would like to mention is dislocated fingers. Each finger of your hand has three joints, while each thumb has two. When the bones of the fingers and thumbs become misaligned from the joint, this is when a dislocation takes place. Though this injury most commonly takes place in the middle joint of the finger, all joints are subject to suffering from it. The most common causes of dislocations are sports injuries, falls, and accidents that cause a crushing blow to the fingers. No matter how it was sustained, hand therapy in Oceanside can be used to ensure the area is realigned. If you begin suffering from the below symptoms, contact our team for help right away:

• Finger bones appear dislodged.
• Swelling or bruising around the joint.
• Pain around the joint.
• Inability to move your finger.    

Patients dealing with any type of hand injury can find difficulty completing once simple tasks.  To help stop this from happening, our team at East End Occupational Therapy will administer hand therapy in Oceanside to patients in need.  To learn more about hand injuries, and how we will help, contact us today.

Dislocations of the PIP Joint

Since we use our hands constantly, injuries to the finger joints are very common. The proximal interphalangeal joints (PIP) are the middle joints of the finger. PIP joint dislocations can occur when trauma forces the bones in the middle knuckle of the finger out of place. This is often very painful and usually results in a bruised and swollen joint that barely moves, or is completely immobile. If you find yourself with a dislocated PIP joint, East End Occupational Therapy specializes in hand therapy and rehabilitation for injuries. Contact us today for hand therapy in Oceanside.

Causes and Diagnosis

The most common cause for PIP joint dislocation is direct injury to the hand. The injury can happen during a fall, or while playing high impact sports. If you suspect that you have dislocated the joint, apply ice immediately, and seek medical attention as soon as possible. A hand specialist at East End Occupational Therapy will carefully examine the area by checking for pain, swelling, and mobility. An X-ray is also recommended to look for fractures. Symptoms of a dislocated PIP joint include:

• Pain in the joint
• Bruising and swelling
• Loss of joint function
• The joint appears disfigured

Treatment

When you dislocate the joint, there are nonsurgical treatment options available. Nonsurgical treatments include:

• Anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving medicine
• Splint 
• Icing the afflicted area
• Bone realignment

The dislocation should be set into position immediately after the injury, either at the emergency room or urgent care facility. Immediate examination following the injury is crucial to the healing process. While PIP dislocation can cause a lot of discomfort, surgical intervention is rarely required as long as the joint is properly stabilized. If you did fracture the PIP joint and it remains unstable, you may require some form of surgery. There are minimally invasive options, such as pins placed through the skin, or more invasive options such as setting the fracture with screws. After surgery, you will need to be in a cast or splint for a few weeks for the injury to properly heal. You may also require physical therapy to regain proper function. 

Physical Therapy

The most common after-effect of PIP dislocation is joint stiffness. After a few weeks of being in the splint, it should be healed enough to begin strengthening exercises to help add stability around the joint. At first, the treatments will involve controlling pain and swelling, especially if you had to have surgery. Always follow your doctor or therapist’s instructions before trying any exercises at home. Here are some common exercises that increase your range of motion and strength: 

• Finger extension – With your hand flat on a surface, raise and lower the affected finger. Repeat 10 times. 
• PIP extension – Place your non-injured hand on a surface with your palm up. Then, put your injured hand on top of the good hand. Using your thumb and fingers of the non-injured hand, hold below the middle joint of your injured finger. Bend and straighten the last two joints of the finger, and repeat a few times. Don’t bend it to the point of discomfort. 
• Isolated PIP flexion – With the injured hand palm up on a surface, use your other hand to press down on the non-affected fingers. Bend the injured finger and hold, then straighten.

Local Hand Therapy in Oceanside

If you have injured your PIP joint and are seeking treatment,  East End Occupational Therapy has you covered. We specialize in hand and upper extremity rehabilitation and are dedicated to providing a wide range of therapy services for our patients. With services like hand therapy, upper extremity therapy, manual therapy, and custom splinting, there are plenty of treatments to service your needs. Through our client-centered approach, we will work closely with you to find a treatment plan that works best for you and your injury. Make your appointment for hand therapy in Oceanside today!

Trigger Finger

Trigger finger, also known as stenosing tenosynovitis, is a condition that affects the mobility of your finger. Mainly affecting the first two fingers, this condition causes your fingers to bend and straighten with a snap, pop, or click. In more severe cases, the finger becomes locked in a bent position. This condition can affect your functionality with the affected finger and hand, and in some cases, can even get infected. If you are suffering from trigger finger, and are looking for hand therapy in Oceanside, reach out to us at East End Occupational Therapy and make an appointment today.

Symptoms of Trigger Finger

The symptoms of trigger finger are distinct and can range from mild to severe. Symptoms can include:

• Stiff fingers, being more noticeable in the morning
• Clicking and popping while moving the affected finger
• A tender bump at the bottom of the finger
• Finger becoming locked in bent positions

In addition to these symptoms, you may experience pain with the affected finger, while either moving the finger or when it gets locked. Your finger may also get inflamed and get swollen, red, and hot. These are signs of affection and should be seen by a doctor immediately. If you have fingers affected by these symptoms and are looking for hand therapy in Oceanside to help you, contact us at East End Occupational Therapy and see how we can help you.

Causes of Trigger Finger

In your hand, there are various tendons attaching your muscles to the bone. These tendons have “sheaths” around them. Trigger finger occurs when a tendon and the “sheath” in the finger, the A1 pulley typically gets inflames or thickened, making it harder for your flexor tendons to bend. It is this inflammation that causes your finger to make the popping or clicking and can cause it to get stuck. This irritation can lead to scarring, more thickening, and the formation of the bumps. Some risk factors that can increase the chances of developing trigger finger include repeated gripping, carpal tunnel syndrome surgery, diabetes, or rheumatoid arthritis.

Treatment for Trigger Finger

Treatments for trigger fingers can be surgical or non-surgical, typically starting the later first. Non-surgical treatments include:

• Rest- avoiding activities that flare symptoms may help minor cases recover
• Splinting- splinting the finger, especially at night, can help
• Medications- anti-inflammatory drugs and relieve the pain and inflammation that causes the symptoms
• Physical Therapy- using the right techniques can reduce stiffness and improve functionality in the affected finger.

Additionally, Trigger Finger Release Surgery can be used to release the A1 pulley, causing difficulties moving the affected finger and restore function. Post-surgery care also involves physical therapy to aid with healing and restoring functionality and mobility to the finger. If you are in need of  hand therapy in Oceanside, reach out to us at East End Occupational Therapy and see how our team of hand therapists can help you today!