Hand and Upper Extremity Occupational Therapy

Our team of occupational therapists and certified hand therapists provide skilled and comprehensive evaluation and treatment in the highly specialized practice of upper extremity rehabilitation from infancy through adulthood. Every person values the use of their hands and arms. Loss of function through an injury or accident can be devastating. Because of the intricate anatomy of the hand and arm, the surgical and non-surgical management of these injuries is often complex and requires a high level of competence during recovery in rehabilitation.

Common Diagnoses:

  • Amputations and Prosthetics
  • Arthritis and Joint Replacement
  • Burns
  • Congenital Anomalies
  • Fractures and Joint Injuries
  • Nerve Compressions and Injuries
  • Neurological Conditions
  • Sports-related Injuries
  • Sprains and Strains
  • Tendonitis and Tendon Injuries
  • Tumors and Cysts

Areas of Evaluation:

  • Pain
  • Edema/Swelling
  • Sensibility/Feeling
  • Wounds and Scars
  • Range of Motion and Flexibility
  • Dexterity and Fine Motor Control
  • Muscle Strength and Endurance
  • Activities of Daily Living - your ability to independently look after your own body, maintain your home, perform your job duties, perform child care responsibilities, and actively participate in your favorite leisure activities

Areas of Treatment:

  • Customized splints for protection or to improve function after injury or surgery, and to improve range of motion and flexibility
  • Specific, goal-oriented activities and exercises using the latest technology to increase range of motion, flexibility, strength, endurance and fine motor coordination in specific joints and muscle groups to help restore independent function
  • Use of modalities such as paraffin, moist heat, fluidotherapy, ultrasound, whirlpool, transelectrical nerve stimulation (TENS), neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES), iontophoresis, biofeedback and the BTE Work Simulator to reduce pain, edema and sensitivity, to assist with wound healing, and to increase range of motion, flexibility, strength, endurance and fine motor coordination
  • Functional training through adaptation of daily living activities for independence, joint protection and energy conservation, work simplification and ergonomics and fine motor coordination
  • Comprehensive education and home programs to complement your formal therapy program

Specific treatment protocols are followed for many diagnoses, including:

  • Nerve compressions, surgical decompressions, grafts and repairs, including carpal tunnel syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome
  • Tendonitis, including deQuervain's Tenosynovitis, and tendon injuries requiring surgical repairs, transfers and adhesion releases
  • Joint and ligament injury and stiffness and joint replacement
  • Custom splinting, activity analysis with adaptations, education and post-operative care following surgery for arthritic conditions
  • Reflex sympathetic dystrophy and complex related pain syndrome
  • Burn rehabilitation, including scar management and the use of specialized pressure garments
  • Sports-related injuries, including tennis elbow and golfer's elbow

Hand and upper extremity occupational therapy is offered near the Mease Countryside Hospital campus at:

Mease Countryside Hospital Palm Harbor Outpatient Rehabilitation
34718 US Highway 19 N.
Palm Harbor, FL 34684
(727) 772-2200