Hand and Upper Limb Rehabilitation

Hand and upper limb rehabilitation is the evaluation and treatment of injuries and conditions of the upper limb including the shoulder, arm, elbow, forearm, wrist and hand. This physiotherapy specialization involves the use of various therapeutic interventions to help return a person to their highest level of function through restoration of hand use. It evolved from the need for specialist physical rehabilitation specialists with the knowledge and experience required to manage the challenging recovery of complex hand and upper extremity injuries.​ Physiotherapists with expertise in HULR have completed advanced continuing education, clinical experience and integration of knowledge in anatomy, physiology and kinesiology to achieve competency in the treatment of basic hand conditions and pathological upper limb conditions due to trauma, disease, congenital or acquired deformity. 

 

Some notable activities and processes you'll experience during rehabilitation of hand and upper limb conditions:

• Therapeutic hand exercises

• Manual techniques to help reduce swelling, promote scar healing and management, and increase mobility

• Education about injury prevention, pain management, and other protective measures

• Customized splints to support the injured area

• Home programs depending on your diagnosis

Hand rehabilitation is designed to provide a wealth of benefits to patients, including:

• Restoring normal hand and arm function

• Accelerating recovery after a traumatic injury

• Achieving improved quality of life while learning to deal with chronic conditions

• Reducing pain and discomfort

• Easing swelling

• Managing the symptoms specific to your hand and upper limb condition

These are some of the most common conditions that will be better managed in hand rehabilitation compared to general physical rehabilitation treatments:

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• Work-related chronic injuries and compressive neuropathies including carpal tunnel syndrome, pronator syndrome and lacertus fibrosus syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, radial tunnel syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome, digital neuritis and sensory dysfunction.

• Tendon disorders including extensor tendon injuries, flexor tendon injuries, dupuytren's contracture, De Quervain's tenosynovitis, trigger finger, mallet finger and post tendon transfer and repair.

• Bone and joint conditions including fractures of the radius, ulna, scaphoid, hook of hamate, phalanges, metacarpals, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, joint contractures and general hand disorders.

• Dislocations, sprains and strains including Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex (TFCC) tear, distal biceps avulsion injury, ulnar collateral ligament tear, scapholunate Ligament and perilunate injuries ganglion, bursitis.

Our hand rehabilitation program employs the use a variety of techniques and tools to provide comprehensive treatment for different hand and upper limb conditions, including:

• Therapeutic exercises to restore loss of movement in the joints and strength weak muscles

• Custom finger splints to support joints to ensure tendons and muscles heal properly

• Techniques to improve the extensibility of tissues, reduce pain, and decrease swelling

• Methods for mobilizing joints and soft tissues

• Training to restore, improve, and maintain hand function

• Education for better ergonomics and protective measures

• Sensory education to improve sense of touch

• Injury prevention to protect the injured limb and avoid a re-occurrence.

• Scar remodeling to improve limb image and movement

• Evaluations and modifications of work stations for repetitive strain injuries.

• Care and management of wounds.