Lancaster Orthopedic Group is staffed by Certified Hand Therapists who provide extensive rehabilitation to patients who have a variety of hand, wrist, and elbow injuries to regain full function for activities of daily living. The Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential offers assurance to the public that the therapist treating them has achieved the highest recognition of competency in the profession of upper quarter therapy. LOG’s hand therapy department has 2 OTR/L’s who have earned the distinguished CHT designation after completing all required examinations and clinical studies. These requirements include at least 5 years of clinical experience as an occupational or physical therapist, a minimum of 4,000 hours in direct practice in hand therapy, and successful completion of advanced clinical skills and theory in upper quarter rehabilitation.
While physical therapists are also able to provide hand therapy to patients, more complicated hand and elbow issues are referred to CHTs. Our hand therapists works with patients who may have been affected by an accident or trauma leaving them with wounds, scars, burns, injured tendons or nerves, fractures, or finger, hand, wrist or arm amputation. They also treat patients who are disabled from the affects of cumulative trauma disorders, such as tennis elbow or carpal tunnel syndrome. Many patients seeking the care of a hand therapist also suffer from chronic problems such as arthritis.
At LOG, our hand therapists works closely with sub-specialized hand surgeons and patients to provide a continuum of care. This often starts within days of the injury or surgery right through to the patient's return to work and/or a productive lifestyle.
"Hand therapy is the art and science of rehabilitation of the upper quarter of the human body. Hand therapy is a merging of occupational therapy and physical therapy theory and practice that combines comprehensive knowledge of the upper quarter, body function, and activity. Using specialized skills in assessment and treatment, hand therapists promote the goals of prevention of dysfunction, restoration of function and/or reversal of the progression of pathology in order to enhance participation in life situations for individuals with upper quarter disease or injury."
- Hand Therapy Certification Commission
What is occupational therapy?
“Occupational therapy is a science-driven, evidence-based profession that enables people of all ages to live life to its fullest by helping them promote health and prevent—or live better with—illness, injury or disability. Occupational therapy is skilled treatment that helps individuals achieve independence in all facets of their lives. Occupational therapy gives people the "skills for the job of living" that are needed for independent and satisfying lives.”
- As Defined by the American Occupational Therapy Association
The primary goal of occupational therapy is to enable people to participate in the activities of everyday life. Occupational therapists achieve this outcome by enabling people to do things that will enhance their ability to participate or by modifying the environment to better support participation.
Occupational therapists are generally trained in functional capacity evaluations, job analysis, work hardening, work conditioning, and vocational training programs.
Occupational therapy is a type of rehabilitation therapy that uses real life activities in specific areas and with specific goals, to help patients of all ages prevent, lessen, or overcome physical disabilities and hand injuries. Occupational therapy helps patients maximize their functional capabilities at home, at work and during activities they may participate in. The therapist develops a personalized program for each client tailored to meet their specific needs. Occupational therapy addresses a variety of conditions including upper extremity and hand injuries, neurological disorders and arthritis.