Hand Therapy in Massapequa Park 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. We can provide our patients with eager and capable therapist. Contact us if you are in need of expert hand therapy in Massapequa Park NY.

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.

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 Massapequa Park NY 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 Massapequa Park NY:

• 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 Massapequa Park NY, 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 Massapequa Park NY 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 Massapequa Park NY to patients in need.  To learn more about hand injuries, and how we will help, contact us today.  

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 Massapequa Park NY, 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. 

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 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 take special attention to entry-level works. 

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 Massapequa Park NY 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 can East End Occupational Therapy? 

If you recently experienced a hand injury and seeking hand therapy in Massapequa Park NY. 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.

How Can Hand Therapy in Massapequa Park NY Help Arthritis?

Though we don’t place much thought into it, the use of our hands is critical for everyday activities. Unfortunately, degenerative conditions like arthritis affect millions of people each year, hindering their ability to use their hands without pain. While there are several types of arthritis, each with individual causes and symptoms, many forms of arthritis involve the natural wear-and-tear of cartilage that protects bones and joints. When this cushion-like cartilage breaks down, it can cause pain and swelling in the fingers, wrists, and knuckles. A tried and true remedy to ease the pain affiliated with arthritis is hand therapy. If you’re interested in learning more about this service, please contact our staff at East End Occupational Therapy. 

Arthritis in the Hands

Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and psoriatic arthritis are the three primary types of arthritis that are likely to affect the hands. Though there are no real cures for arthritis, unless it is linked to an underlying cause, treatment like hand therapy is aimed at relieving pain and making joint movement easier.

Common symptoms of arthritis in the hand that may be reduced with the help of hand therapy could include any of the following:

• Pain: The pain can be dull or sharp and can occur while moving the hands or while the hands are at rest.
• Swelling.
• Stiffness.
• Deformity.
• Weakened muscles.
• Fatigue or body aches. (More common with rheumatoid arthritis).
• Cysts or bone spurs.

Pain and stiffness from arthritis can make everyday activities very difficult or impossible to perform. Occupational therapists can usually recommend at-home hand exercises and hand therapy to help improve range-of-motion and flexibility.

Hand Therapy in Massapequa Park NY

Hand therapy is a specific branch of occupational therapy catered to conditions that affect the hands. A hand therapist is a doctor with a specialized degree or certification. The hand therapist effectively provides postoperative rehabilitation, non-operative or conservative intervention, preventive care, and industrial ergonomic consultation.

For arthritis in the hands, seeking a specialized hand therapist can make treatment much more beneficial to your long-term goals. Patients with arthritis can look forward to these benefits of hand therapy:

• Reduced treatment time: A specialist can diagnose, assess, and effectively treat your arthritis much more quickly and efficiently. 
• Faster recovery and improved outcome: As these professionals have more extensive knowledge of the hand and its inner-workings, patients can expect improved care.
• Reduced costs: There is no need to visit multiple doctors or specialists. Receiving hand therapy for arthritis is an efficient, one-stop treatment plan.

How can hand therapy help with arthritis? To help treat your arthritis pain, a hand therapist will:

• Show you how to properly and effectively perform certain hand exercises.
• Administer pain ointments or medications, or injections to reduce inflammation.
• Use heat/cold therapy.
• Provide you with a splint to support or strengthen bones.
• Suggest surgery (in rare cases).

 With treatment from a hand therapist, arthritis patients can expect:

• Strengthening in the ligaments and tendons in your hands, improved flexibility, and pain reduction.
• Improved ability to grip or pick up objects.
• Reduce inflammation, swelling, and stiffness in knuckles and fingers.

East End Occupational Therapy

At East End Occupational Therapy, we are here to help. Our board-certified hand therapists are seasoned experts who can provide personalized advanced care to defeat your arthritis pain. Whether you have suffered an injury, are recovering from surgery, or simply need to soothe arthritic pain for everyday comfort, our team will help. Not only will we tailor a treatment plan to fulfill your needs, but we will also educate you on at-home exercises and lifestyle changes for long-term health and happiness. Schedule an appointment with us today for hand therapy in Massapequa Park NY!