Hand to Shoulder Injuries
The unique role of Occupational Therapy in orthopedics.
For conditions we treat, please refer to the hand and shoulder icons in the conditions library.
Our Occupational Therapists work closely with surgeons or treating physicians to ensure the most favorable outcome for our patients. Our primary goal is to enable our patients to return to meaningful participation in their daily activities at home and the work place.
Our initial assessments and evaluations reflect a patient-centered, comprehensive approach, focusing on:
- Muscular strength
- Range of motion
- Sensory issues
- Connective tissue assessment
- Relevant medical and vocational or avocational history
- Demands of the workplace and home
Some examples of conditions and injuries of the upper extremity that are treated by occupational therapists include:
- Fractures
- Amputations
- Arthritis and rheumatic diseases
- Congenital anomalies
- Crush injuries or trauma
- Dislocations
- Ligament injury and instability
- Muscle strain, tears, and avulsions
- Tendon injuries
- Nerve injuries
- Pain
- Wounds and scars
- Thermal and electrical injuries
Our comprehensive plan of care includes:
- Therapeutic activities and exercise
- Joint protection and modifications at home, work, school, and leisure activities
- Orthotic design, fabrication, fitting, and training
- Sensory re-education
- Scar management
- Pain management
- Work conditioning and work hardening
- Training in activities of daily living and adaptive devices
- Education for safety including sensory loss
Our hands-on interventions include:
- Design and fabrication of selected orthotics
- Post surgical protocols
- Wound care
- Manual therapy
- Biofeedback
- Taping techniques
- Compression therapy
By taking the holistic approach, we go beyond addressing the injury. We seek to include the whole person and his or her functional needs and roles in the workplace and at home.
