Hand & Wrist Clinic - Rehabilitation and Post-operative Care

Rehabilitation

The Rehabilitation Department is staffed by Chartered State Registered Physiotherapists and a State Registered Occupational Therapist. All Staff have specialist experience in the management of Hand conditions following surgery or treatment by conservative means. All are members of the British Association of Hand Therapists (BAHT).

It is a specific policy of Vale Healthcare that whenever possible, a patient will see the same therapist at each appointment to ensure valuable continuity of care. On occasions a combined appointment with the surgeon is organised to coordinate and evaluate treatment to ensure the best results.

Therapy and Assessment Modalities Available

• Exercise and mobilisation techniques
• Thermoplastic static and dynamic splints
• Pre-fabricated splints
• Wound and scar care
• Electrotherapy-Ultrasound, Interferential, T.E.N.S.
• Compression therapy
• Custom-made Neoprene splint
• Work ergonomics 
• Joint protection
• Functional assessments and advice for activities of daily living

Post-operative Care

Typical post-operative care involves returning to the clinic a few days after the operation when the dressing is taken down and the wound cleaned. The appropriate exercises are performed and taught from these initial stages. The wound is then re-dressed and general advice is given.

The original splint will be replaced or a more suitable splint fabricated. The splint would be worn, revised at various stages as required until the surgery no longer requires protection. Sutures are usually removed after two weeks. Depending on the condition and the surgery, a patient could be expected to return to the Hand Clinic regularly for several weeks.

Such rehabilitation programmes are usually discussed with patients in the early stages of planning of surgery. Patients will often start with a meeting or formal assessment with the therapist before surgery.