Treatment for Orthopedic Conditions of the Hand and Upper Extremity

Anything less than full function of the hand can limit your ability to perform even basic tasks and activities. After an injury or surgical procedure, occupational therapy is crucial to successful rehabilitation and ensuring your long-term quality of life.

Our Approach

At Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush (MOR), occupational therapists and physicians work collaboratively to help you regain full function of the hand and upper extremity. The process begins with a comprehensive lifestyle assessment to determine how your hand condition may affect your ability to function independently and execute everyday tasks. Following this evaluation, therapists develop a customized treatment program and guide you through a series of targeted exercises designed to improve strength, range of motion, and function. You’ll receive hands-on instruction and education in an encouraging, supportive environment.

Hand therapy treatments include the fabrication of custom static and dynamic splints for protection and function, the use of thermal and electric modalities to stimulate soft tissue response, joint mobilization to improve range of motion, joint protection and ergonomic strategies to prevent further injury, and physical exercise and strengthening to improve overall upper extremity function. 

During the course of treatment, therapists continually document your progress, conduct periodic examinations, and make modifications when necessary. Our team’s ultimate goal is to help you resume confident performance of tasks in your daily household and work environments, so you can achieve your maximum potential in all areas of life.Conditions We Treat

• Upper extremity trauma 

• Tendon, ligament, and nerve injuries 

• Tendonitis 

• Sports injuries  

• Upper extremity fractures and/or dislocations 

• Chronic/repetitive conditions of the upper extremity 

• Wounds 

• Arthritis and upper extremity joint replacements 

Occupational Therapy Treatments

• Manual therapy/soft tissue mobilization/instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM Graston) 

• Kinesiotaping 

• Dry needling

• Neuromuscular and sensory re-education 

• Therapeutic exercise and functional therapeutic activity 

• Therapeutic casting 

• Work conditioning 

• Wound care/edema management (excluding Lymphedema) 

• Static/dynamic custom orthotics 

• Thermal/electrical modalities 

Ready to See an Occupational Therapist?