June 1-7: Hand Therapy Week!

Happy June 1st! This week is National Hand Therapy Week. 

What is a Hand Therapist?

A hand therapist is an occupational or physical therapist who, through advanced continuing education, clinical experience and integration of knowledge in anatomy, physiology and kinesiology, has become proficient in treatment of pathological upper extremity conditions resulting from trauma, disease, congenital or acquired deformity. A hand therapist may achieve advanced certification as a certified hand therapist (CHT). To obtain the CHT credential, a therapist must practice for a minimum of five years, accumulating at least 4,000 hours of treatment for hand and upper extremity disorders. Certified hand therapists must also pass a rigorous certification exam to demonstrate their competency in the practice of hand therapy.

What is Hand Therapy?
Hand therapy is the art and science of evaluating and treating injuries and conditions of the upper extremity (shoulder, arm, elbow, forearm, wrist and hand). Hand therapy uses a number of therapeutic interventions to help return a person to their highest level of function. It evolved from the need for a specialist with the knowledge and experience required to manage the challenging recovery of complex hand and upper extremity injuries 

What Can a Hand Therapist Do for Me?
Hand therapists bridge the gap from medical management of upper extremity conditions to successful recovery, allowing individuals to function normally in their daily lives. Hand therapists provide non-operative interventions, preventative care and post-surgical rehabilitation for a wide variety of upper extremity disorders, from simple fingertip injuries to complex replanted extremities. Patients with chronic conditions, such as arthritis, or neurologic conditions, such as a stroke, can benefit from hand therapy through education on joint protection and energy conservation, and with recommendations for adaptive equipment or devices to improve function. A hand therapist employs a variety of techniques and tools, including activity and exercise programs, custom orthotic fabrication, management of pain and swelling and wound and scar care. A hand therapist can also be a consultant in the industrial world, training employees in healthy work habits.


Hand Therapy at TOCA

The TOCA Upper Extremity and Hand Therapists (Certified Hand Therapists) provide services that improve function, increase motion, relieve pain, increase independence in activities of daily living, increase strength and dexterity for return to home, sports or work.

TOCA's Hand Therapists work with individuals of all ages with a variety of injuries or conditions. Their areas of expertise involve evaluation, treatment and custom splinting of the shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist, hand and fingers.

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.

To find a TOCA Hand Therapist near you call 602-277-6211 or visit: http://tocamd.com/HandTherapyatTOCA.html


#Results.Recovery.Relief.

602-277-6211
www.TOCAMD.com

Meet Dr.Haber

Dr. Haber is an expert in the treatment of all hand and wrist conditions. He has Certificate of Added Qualification in Hand Surgery and is Board Certified in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He serves as a hand surgery consultant for Arizona State University athletes, Phoenix Suns and Phoenix Mercury. Dr. Haber has special interest in golf related hand and wrist conditions. He has been an investigator for an international study for collagenase injection for Dupuytren’s Disease. He treats all severities of arthritis, nerve compressions and repetitive hand disorders. Dr. Haber has presented his research and has been published in leading medical journals. 

TOCA
602-277-6277
www.tocamd.com 

ARTHRITIS AT BASE OF THUMB: Dr. JOSH VELLA

WHAT IS ARTHRITIS?

Any condition that irritates or destroys a joint is referred to as arthritis.  The most common form is osteoarthritis, or as it is sometimes known, degenerative joint disease.   In a normal joint, cartilage covers the ends of the bones and permits their smooth, painless movement against one another.  In osteoarthritis, the cartilage layer wears out, allowing bone to make contact against bone.  As the process worsens, the signs and symptoms of arthritis develop.

The basilar joint, or the first carpometacarpal joint of the thumb, is formed by a small wrist bone called the trapezium and the thumb metacarpal bone.   The unique shapes of these bones permit the thumb to move in and out of the plane of the palm, as well as bend across the palm to oppose the other fingers.  Arthritis involving the base of the thumb is far more common in women than in men, and typically occurs after the age of 40.  A prior history of fracture or other injury to the joint may increase the likelihood of developing arthritis.

WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS?

The earliest symptom of basilar joint arthritis is pain with activities that involve pinching.  These include opening jars, doorknobs, car door and turning keys.  Prolonged or heavy use of the thumb may produce an aching discomfort at the base of the thumb.  Changes in the weather may produce similar symptoms.  As the disease progresses, less stress is required to produce pain.  Pinch strength diminishes.  Activity-related swelling may develop.  Later, any motion of the thumb, even without stress, may become painful.  Eventually the joint begins to appear larger and out of place.  This is usually accompanied by decreased thumb motion.  Often the most difficult maneuver is grasping objects.

HOW IS THE DIAGNOSIS MADE?

A careful history by the physician will give a high index of suspicion of basilar arthritis.  Inspection of the thumb will sometimes reveal a tender prominence at the base of the thumb.  As a diagnostic test your physician may press the thumb metacarpal against the trapezium and move the joint.  This grind test will usually reproduce the symptoms of pain, and may produce a gritty sensation called crepitation.  This represents bone on bone contact, which also may show up on x-ray.

HOW IS TREATED?

Initially, the symptoms of basilar joint arthritis will respond to limited activities and rest.  If this fails, use of an anti-inflammatory medications and a protective splint may be of benefit.  Additional relief of symptoms can sometimes be achieved by a cortisone injection into the joint.  When conservative methods of treatment no longer provide benefit, surgery may be warranted.

The goal of surgery is to decrease pain and preserve motion in the thumb. This is accomplished by removing the destroyed joint and creating a substitute joint called an arthroplasty.  Unrestricted use of the thumb is usually allowed at 12 weeks from surgery.

TOCA