City hand therapy: what to expect from hand rehabilitation

Hand therapy is rehabilitation focused on the hand, wrist, fingers and sometimes the forearm or elbow. It may follow a fracture or surgery, or support conditions that affect tendons, joints, nerves, scars and grip. The service name does not reveal the therapist's qualifications or clinical focus, so confirm both directly.

An assessment looks at pain, swelling, skin and scars, movement, strength, sensation and the tasks that matter to you. Treatment may include a custom splint, graded exercises, swelling control, scar care, movement retraining, activity modification and practical strategies for work or self-care.

Bring referral letters, operation notes or imaging reports if available, plus any current splint. Explain when symptoms began, which movements provoke them and which daily activities are limited. Mention numbness, colour change, wound problems and changes in grip rather than describing pain alone.

Ask for a home programme you can understand and demonstrate back. Exercises should have a stated purpose, frequency and progression rule. Report a clear flare in pain, swelling or nerve symptoms instead of forcing movement. After surgery or fracture, the surgeon's tissue-healing restrictions take priority over generic exercise advice.

Seek urgent care after an injury if a finger or hand is visibly deformed, becomes pale or blue, feels cold, has heavy bleeding, or loses movement or sensation suddenly. Following surgery, promptly report spreading redness, wound discharge, fever, a rapidly increasing swelling or severe pain that is worsening. Therapy is not a substitute for diagnosing a new fracture, tendon rupture, infection or impaired circulation.

Ask whether the therapist regularly manages your diagnosis, who makes custom splints, how progress will be measured and how the service coordinates with the surgeon or physician. Clarify appointment frequency, expected home practice and what should prompt an earlier review.