Hand and Upper Extremity Occupational Therapy

Miriam Hospital occupational therapy offers comprehensive evaluation and treatment for patients with common injuries and disorders of the shoulders, arms and hands; that need surgery for cumulative trauma disorders; fractures; tendon repairs; joint replacements; or ligament injuries. An individualized treatment plan is established for each patient from injury or surgery through recovery. The plan allows patients to return to optimal functional levels in their daily activities.

Conditions commonly treated are surgical and non-surgical shoulder injuries (rotator cuff tendonitis/rotator cuff repair, total shoulder repair, shoulder impingement syndrome with or without decompression, adhesive capsulitis with or without capsular release), tendon repairs, fractures, arthritis/tendonitis/bursitis, repetitive strain injuries (carpal tunnel syndrome, elbow lateral epicondylitis) and wounds (traumatic or otherwise).

We use a variety of rehabilitative modalities and treatment interventions to maximize each patient’s return to function. Miriam Hospital occupational therapy and hand and upper extremity rehabilitation includes: 

• Sensory re-education following a nerve injury

• Orthotic fabrication to protect, prevent or correct injuries or deformities

• Training in ADL’s (activities of daily living) and IADL’s (instrumental activities of daily living)

• Joint protection and energy conservation

• Ergonomics and work simplification

• Manual therapy, including MFR (myofascial release) and joint mobilization

• Scar management

• Wound care, including pulsatile lavage

• Use of modalities such as heat, ice, ultrasound, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, hybresis, fluidotherapy and paraffin

• Fine motor training and therapeutic activities

• Therapeutic exercise