Physical Therapy for Recovery After Hand Surgery
We’ve all had friends and family who have undergone surgery – or perhaps you’ve even undergone surgery yourself! And you’ve probably noticed that some people bounce back quickly – while others seem to never quite get back to their previous lives.
Of course, one’s overall health, age, and the extent of the surgery are all factors affecting recovery. But for many patients the “secret ingredient” to a rapid and full recovery after surgery is post-surgical physical therapy. And this is especially true when it comes to hand surgery.
In this article, top Macomb County hand surgeon Dr. Uzma Rehman discusses the many benefits that post-surgical physical therapy offers for speeding recovery.
Benefits of Physical Therapy after Hand Surgery
Hand physical therapy is an essential component of recovery for many patients who have undergone hand surgery. After surgery, the hand may be stiff, weak, and painful. Hand physical therapy can help restore strength, flexibility, and range of motion, as well as reduce pain and swelling, improve hand function, and promote a faster and more complete recovery.
In addition to improving physical function, hand physical therapy can also provide emotional support and motivation during the recovery process. A skilled physical therapist can help patients set achievable goals, track progress, and stay motivated to continue with their recovery.
What Does Physical Therapy after Hand Surgery Entail?
Hand physical therapy typically involves a variety of exercises and techniques designed to improve hand strength, flexibility, and range of motion. These may include hand and finger exercises, massage, stretching, and joint mobilization techniques.
There are several specific modalities that are commonly used in physical therapy while recovering from hand surgery. These modalities can help to reduce pain and inflammation, promote healing, and improve range of motion and strength in the hand. Some of the most common modalities used in hand physical therapy at Macomb Hand Surgery in Macomb County include the following.
Heat therapy involves the application of heat to the hand to improve blood flow, reduce pain, and promote healing. This may include the use of warm towels, hot packs, or warm wax baths. Cold therapy involves the application of cold to the hand to reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation. This may include the use of ice packs, cold compresses, or cold-water baths.
Electrical stimulation involves the use of small electrical currents to stimulate the nerves and muscles in the hand. This can help to improve circulation, reduce pain, and promote healing after hand surgery. Ultrasound therapy involves the use of high-frequency sound waves to promote healing and reduce pain and inflammation in the hand. The certified hand physical therapist may apply a gel to the skin and use a handheld device to deliver the ultrasound waves to the affected area.
Massage involves the manual manipulation of the soft tissues in the hand to improve circulation, reduce pain, and promote healing. The certified hand physical therapist may use a variety of techniques, such as deep tissue massage, myofascial release, or trigger point therapy.
Stretching and range of motion exercises are also often employed by a certified hand physical therapist to improve flexibility and range of motion in the hand. The certified hand physical therapist may use manual techniques or assistive devices, such as splints or braces, to help stretch and mobilize the hand.
Strengthening exercises designed to improve hand and finger strength are also essential after hand surgery, as the muscles in the hands can atrophy without use. These hand therapy modalities may include exercises with hand weights, resistance bands, or specialized hand grip devices.
Hand Surgery that Physical Therapy Can Help
Hand physical therapy can benefit a variety of hand surgeries. Perhaps the most common hand surgery is carpal tunnel release surgery. After carpal tunnel release surgery, hand physical therapy can help to restore wrist and hand strength, reduce pain, and improve hand function.
Tendon repair is another common hand surgery. After hand surgery to repair a tendon in the hand, our certified hand physical therapists can help to prevent stiffness and scar tissue formation, as well as improve hand strength and range of motion.
After surgery to repair a hand fracture or replace a joint, physical therapy can help to restore hand strength and flexibility, as well as reduce pain and swelling.
In addition to these specific hand physical therapy modalities, our certified hand physical therapists may also provide education and guidance on activities of daily living and ergonomic principles to help patients avoid re-injury and promote rapid, comfortable, and long-term recovery.
