Occupational therapists (O.T.’s) help people across the lifespan participate in the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of everyday activities and exercises. At Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation our main focus is to help people recover from injuries to the hands and the “upper quarter” of the body. These injuries can occur in accidents, when people have surgery, as symptoms of chronic illnesses and pain or as a repetitive stress injury. Post- surgical hand therapy involves treatment of fractures, tendon, muscle, ligaments, soft tissue injuries and joint replacements. O.T.’s help patients to regain skills and to maximize their performance of everyday activities of daily living (ADL’s). Occupational therapy/hand therapy addresses areas such as improving strength and range of motion, decreasing pain and swelling, managing scar formation, fabricating orthoses and recommending over the counter splints and adaptive equipment to help people gain greater independence.
O.T. services include: