Which specialist performs hand therapy?

Hand therapy helps restore useful movement and function after conditions affecting the fingers, thumb, wrist, or forearm. An occupational therapist may focus on daily tasks, work demands, splinting, and practical ways to use the hand safely. A physiotherapist may emphasise movement, strength, swelling control, and coordination. Both may measure motion and grip, teach a home programme, and adjust exercises as healing progresses. The right provider depends less on the job title than on specific experience with your problem.

Ask your doctor, surgeon, or clinic whether you need an occupational therapist or physiotherapist who specialises in hand care. Bring referral information, scans or operation details, and a description of tasks that are difficult. Mention numbness, stiffness, clicking, swelling, or changes in grip. If you use the hand for sport, instruments, driving, or detailed work, explain those demands so therapy can be tailored to meaningful goals.

Arrange review for ongoing loss of movement, weakness, pain, or difficulty using the hand after an injury or procedure. Seek urgent care for a deep wound, a finger that looks deformed, sudden loss of feeling or movement, or a hand that becomes pale, blue, or unusually cold. Rapidly increasing swelling, severe pain, or fever after surgery also needs prompt medical advice.

Ask which therapist’s training fits your diagnosis, when therapy should begin, and which movements or loads to avoid. Clarify whether a splint is needed, how often sessions are planned, what exercises are safe at home, and how hand function will be measured.