Hand Therapy In Sayville

The mission of East End Occupational Therapy near Islandia, NY 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.

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.

Contact Us For Hand Therapy In Sayville

What Does a Hand Therapist Do?

Are you or a loved one suffering from a hand injury or recovering from a hand surgery? Hand Therapy in Sayville is the right choice for you! We strive to aid you in your recovery process to successfully return to function as soon as possible!

Hand Therapy

Hand Therapy is a form of rehabilitation that is used by an occupational therapist or physical therapist. These doctors perform this type of therapy on patients with conditions that are affecting the hands and/or upper extremities. This form of therapy helps patients to shorten their recovery time and go back to their normal lifestyle.

Patients who can be considered as candidates for hand therapy may have been affected by an accident or trauma. The patient can be left with scars, bruises, wounds, fractures, etc. Other patients could possibly be suffering from conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, arthritis, or a neurologic condition such as a stroke.

The amount of time that is spent in Hand Therapy will differ from patient to patient. Based on the severity of their injury or condition, a person may not even require a long rehabilitation process following their procedure. For example, if a patient tears and injures their tendon, they may not require much rehabilitation time. However, if a patient is suffering from a more serious injury, they may need to spend more time in rehabilitation in order to obtain full functionality again.

Hand Therapy in Sayville has provided a specialized treatment plan for their patients; the Benefits of Hand Therapy include:

Accurate assessments, immediate care, and effective treatment can reduce overall treatment time.
Faster recovery results and decreased medical costs.
Client training and education improve compliance and help to reduce recurrence of repetitive injuries.

What is a Hand Therapist and How Can They Help?

At East End Occupational Therapy, our specialized hand therapists are ready and willing to provide you with a treatment plan that is catered to the severity of your condition to get you functioning properly again.

A hand therapist is required to go through years of advanced education in order to efficiently evaluate and treat any painful conditions that are related to the upper extremity. The therapist then will effectively provide the proper treatment plan and rehabilitation that is specialized for the patient’s condition. The therapist will work closely with the patient’s physician and the patient to accumulate the best recovery plan just days after the procedure to aid the patient in returning to work or school in the fastest time possible.

Most hand therapists will examine their patient’s musculoskeletal, sensory, and strength conditions and be able to provide a full diagnosis to the patient. Other activities of a hand therapist can include creating splints, aiding patients in functioning with prosthetics, or treating scars and wounds. Most hand therapists will educate their patient on different strength exercises that will increase the patient’s function and mobility of the specific area.

Hand Therapists have advanced knowledge in a number of different aspects, treating:

Anatomy and physiology of these systems: skin/connective, muscular, skeletal, nervous, vascular, and lymphatic.
Wound and tissue healing.
Surgical and medical treatment of upper extremity conditions.
Kinesiology, biomechanics, and pathomechanics.

Why You Should Consider Hand Therapy in Sayville

The purpose behind Hand Therapy is to provide the patient with the best specialized care after diagnosis to return to full functionality of their hand as possible.

Hand Therapy plays a crucial role in ensuring a successful recovery. At East End Occupational Therapy, we care for our patients and strive to provide them with the best treatment possible. If you want to learn more about Hand Therapy in Sayville, visit our website.

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 Sayville 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 Sayville:

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

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 therapy in Sayille, 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 therapy in Sayille 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 therapy in Sayille, 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 therapy in Sayille, 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.

Hand & Finger Injuries We Treat

Dislocation 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 Sayville.

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.

Hand Therapy in Sayville

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 Sayville 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 Sayville, 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 Sayville 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 Sayville, reach out to us at East End Occupational Therapy and see how our team of hand therapists can help you today!

Can Hand Therapy 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. We will provide excellent hand therapy in Sayville!

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.

Best Hand Therapy in Sayville

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 Sayville!