Does a occupational therapy perform hand therapy?

Hand therapy addresses problems affecting the fingers, thumb, wrist, forearm, or related nerves and tendons. Your therapist may assess movement, grip, sensation, swelling, scar tissue, coordination, and how symptoms affect dressing, writing, work, or household tasks.

Treatment can include guided exercises, activity changes, scar or swelling care, splint fitting, and advice on protecting healing tissue. The programme is adjusted to the diagnosis and stage of recovery. Occupational therapists focus strongly on helping you use the hand safely in daily activities, while coordinating with the treating doctor when needed.

Ask your doctor or clinic whether a hand-trained occupational therapist is appropriate for your injury or condition. Bring operation notes, imaging, medicine information, and any splint you already use. Describe the activities you need to regain, such as turning a key, using a phone, cooking, or returning to work.

Use a prescribed splint or exercise only as directed. Increasing pain, colour change, or marked swelling after an activity is a reason to pause and contact your care team for guidance.

Seek prompt review for a newly cold, pale, blue, or numb hand, rapidly increasing swelling, severe uncontrolled pain, or a wound that is opening or draining. After an injury, urgent assessment is needed if you cannot move a finger or if the finger looks deformed.

Ask what movements are safe, whether you need a custom splint, how often therapy should be attended, and which home exercises match your diagnosis. Find out what changes should be reported and what functional goal will guide your return to work or sport.