Sometimes we just don’t show our hands enough love – they’re often our most overlooked assets. But an injury can cause a loss in our ability to perform everyday tasks. Imagine trying to button your shirt, pull up a zipper, put on your shoes, open the mail or hold a fork at dinnertime. An upper extremity injury to your hand can make those tasks we do daily seem exceptionally difficult. At Desert Hand Therapy, we see upper extremity injuries a lot—they can range from a mild muscle strain to more devastating injuries such as fractures or deep lacerations.
Common upper extremity injuries to the hand may include:
- Fractures
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Joint dislocations
- Arthritis
- Tendon lacerations
- Trigger finger
- Nerve injuries
- Hand or wrist sprain or pain
- Muscle tears
- Bursitis
- Tendonitis
- Occupational injuries
Your healthcare provider will determine the extent of your upper extremity injuries by checking the area, assessing range of motion, performing x-rays and running any other necessary diagnostic tests.
A Custom-Made Splint from Desert Hand Therapy
Depending on the injury or surgery done to your hand, one of our certified hand therapists may apply a wrist/hand/forearm support known as an orthosis—or more commonly, a splint. A splint is a support mechanism to assist in decreasing pain, increasing function and ensuring protection of a surgical site.
We can make a custom splint specific to your medical needs to help speed up recovery. They are important for optimum healing after an injury or surgery. Custom-made splints are easily modifiable if there are any needed changes. They will be made to fit your arm or hand perfectly which creates better results and outcomes since it truly will be one-of-a-kind. It can be molded into any necessary position. A custom-made splint will help with:
- Pain reduction
- Improving functional use of the arm or hand
- Promoting healing
- Increasing or maintaining range of motion
- Correcting or helping to prevent deformities
- Allowing for an increase or decrease in swelling as your body heals
Desert Hand Therapy is a physical therapy and occupational therapy provider for patients with upper extremity pain or injury (hand, wrist, elbow & shoulder). A unique aspect of our therapy service is manufacturing custom splints & braces for patients with fractures, dislocations, arthritis, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome and most post-operative upper extremity conditions. We fabricate over 200 splints/braces per month and pride ourselves on competitive pricing, excellent quality & same day service.
