Hand and upper extremity disorders include a wide range of conditions such as:

• Arthritis, including osteoarthritis
• Strains and sprains
• Repetitive motion disorders, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and other nerve compression disorders
• Fractures
• Crush injuries
• Joint disorders
• Lacerations
• Post-operative reconstructive procedures, including joint replacements for arthritis
• Other musculoskeletal and neurological conditions

Persons with these conditions can benefit from therapy and other rehabilitative care. MedStar National Rehabilitation Network’s outpatient Hand and Upper Extremity Program offers evaluation and treatment services for patients with hand dysfunction resulting from disease, traumatic injury, medical conditions, or surgical conditions. Occupational and physical therapists with extensive training in hand rehabilitation provide interventions designed to restore the patient’s hand or upper extremity to maximum function.

All hand and upper extremity services begin with a full evaluation of the affected extremity by an experienced MedStar NRH occupational or physical therapist. The clinical staff then develops an individualized treatment program to address the patient’s individual needs. The program is modified as needed throughout the course of therapy to maximize functional outcome and use of the injured or affected extremity.

Services include:

• Fabrication of splints and other orthotic devices to increase range of motion and to improve protective, corrective, or functional positioning
• Instruction in and assistance with wound care, edema control, and scar management
• Intervention for management of pain resulting from surgery, overuse, and trauma, including use of modalities as necessary
• Desensitization and sensory re-education following nerve trauma
• Design and implementation of personalized exercise and activity programs to improve functional use of hands and upper extremities by increasing strength, coordination, dexterity, and range of motion
• Retraining in daily living skills, using adapted methods and equipment as appropriate
• Work simulation and graded activities to increase work conditioning and tolerance, and to improve the patient’s ability to return to work
• Instruction in joint protection, energy conservation, and work simplification techniques
• Evaluation of the patient’s job site or work station to provide recommendations for modifications aimed at decreasing the incidence of cumulative trauma disorders or preventing recurrence of such disorders