Top Common Conditions Hand Therapy Can Treat

When it comes to injuries or conditions affecting your hand, wrist, or arm, specialized care is essential for a full and speedy recovery. Hand therapists are experts trained to diagnose, treat, and rehabilitate a wide range of hand and upper limb issues. Whether you’ve experienced trauma, suffer from repetitive strain, or face arthritis-related challenges, a hand therapist can tailor a treatment plan to restore your function and reduce pain. Here’s a look at the top categories of conditions a hand therapist can help you with.

Pediatric Hand Conditions

Children with congenital hand differences or injuries require specialized attention to support proper growth and function. Hand therapists work with pediatric patients to manage congenital anomalies such as: 

• Syndactyly (webbed fingers) 
• Polydactyly (extra digits) 
• Growth Plate Injuries

Early intervention and hand therapy can improve hand strength, mobility, and coordination, ensuring children develop essential skills for daily activities and play.

Repetitive Strain and Overuse Injuries

Repetitive motions from work, sports, or hobbies can lead to overuse injuries that cause pain, stiffness, and numbness. Common conditions treated by hand therapists include:

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Median nerve compression causing numbness, tingling, and weakness.
• De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis: Painful thumb tendon inflammation near wrist base
• Trigger Finger: Finger locking caused by tendon pulley narrowing
• Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis): Elbow pain from overuse of the forearm extensor muscles
• Cubital Tunnel Syndrome: Ulnar nerve compression causing numbness and tingling in arm

Hand therapy sessions focus on reducing inflammation, restoring mobility, and preventing further damage through customized splinting, therapeutic exercises, manual therapy, and ergonomic advice. Early treatment can prevent chronic pain and disability associated with repetitive strain injuries.

Traumatic Injuries

Accidents and injuries to the hand and arm often require specialized rehabilitation to regain full function. Hand therapists manage a variety of traumatic conditions such as:

• Fractures and Dislocations
• Tendon and Ligament Injuries
• Nerve Injuries
• Crush Injuries and Amputations
• Burns and Wound Care

Treatment may involve custom splints, edema management, scar care, and progressive strengthening exercises to restore range of motion and strength. Hand therapists work closely with surgeons to provide post-operative rehabilitation tailored to your specific injury.

Arthritis and Degenerative Conditions

Arthritis can severely impact hand function and quality of life. Hand therapists assist patients with:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Post-surgical Rehabilitation (joint replacements, fusions)
• Dupuytren’s Contracture (thickened palm tissue)

Therapy includes joint protection techniques, splinting, pain management, and exercises to maintain mobility and strength. Education on energy conservation and adaptive strategies helps patients continue daily activities with less discomfort.

Find Relief with Hand Therapy in the Lower Mainland

If you’re experiencing pain, stiffness, weakness, or loss of function in your hand or arm, early intervention with hand therapy can help prevent long-term suffering. At Back in Motion Health, our hand therapist in Coquitlam/Burnaby offers personalized treatment plans designed to meet your unique needs. We proudly serve patients throughout the Lower Mainland.

Don’t let hand or arm pain limit your life. Book an appointment with one of our hand therapists today and take the first step toward restoring your hand’s strength and function.

Anjali is a compassionate and driven registered physiotherapist who believes in treating the whole person, not just the condition. She understands that many factors contribute to a patient’s experience and tailors her care accordingly. Anjali holds an Honours degree in Health Sciences, specializing in Rehabilitation Sciences, and a Minor in Psychology from Western University. She recently completed her Master’s in Physical Therapy.

Her clinical experience spans a variety of settings, including neurological and musculoskeletal care, where she emphasizes personalized, trauma-informed treatment plans. Anjali’s holistic approach integrates both the physical and emotional well-being of her patients, ensuring they feel supported throughout their rehabilitation journey.

Book online with Angeli in London here.