Workers Comp Hand Injury in Nassau County

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 will provide treatments for your workers comp hand injury in Nassau County.

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.

Exceptional care for hand injuries.

Your hands are important to everything you do – work, sports, hobbies and simple activities of daily living. Whether you have a hand injury or you’re recovering from hand surgery, what you want most is successful recovery and as complete a return to function as possible. The specialized hand therapists at East End Occupational Therapy are the solution and can provide customized advanced care designed to get you functioning again. Whether you suffer from trigger finger, a crush-type injury, fracture, contracture, tendon laceration or carpal tunnel syndrome, we will tailor a treatment program for your specific post-injury or postsurgical challenges and lifestyle needs.

What is Hand Therapy?

“Hand Therapy is the art and science of rehabilitation of the upper limb, which includes the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder girdle. It is the merging of occupational and physical therapy theory and practice that combine comprehensive knowledge of the structure of the upper limb with function and activity. Using specialized skills in assessment, planning and treatment, hand therapists provide therapeutic intervention to prevent dysfunction, restore function and/or reverse the progression of pathology of the upper limb in order to enhance an individual’s ability to execute tasks and to participate fully in life situations.” – Journal of Hand Therapy; 2009(22)361-376), ASHT Scope of Practice; 2011

Hand Therapy is a type of rehabilitation performed by an occupational or physical therapist on patients with conditions affecting the hands and upper extremities. Such therapy is performed by a provider with a high degree of specialization that requires continuing education and, often, advanced certification. This enables the hand therapist to work with patients to hasten their return to a productive lifestyle.

Understanding Hand Injuries in Construction – Workers Comp Hand Injury in Nassau County

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 help for a workers comp hand injury in Nassau County 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 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 workers comp hand injury in Nassau County 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 Help Patients?

 If you recently experienced a hand injury and seeking workers comp hand injury in Nassau County. 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 – Workers Comp Hand Injury in Nassau County

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 a doctor who treats workers comp hand injury in Nassau County 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 workers comp hand injury in Nassau County:

• 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, workers comp hand injury in Nassau County 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 Nassau to patients in need.  To learn more about hand injuries, and how we will help, contact us today.