Accelerating Recovery: Hand Therapy for Post-Surgical Rehabilitation
Post-surgical hand rehabilitation will help you get back to your day-to-day life
Undergoing surgery is always a frightening prospect–not only the procedure itself but also the rehabilitation afterward. Hand surgery can be particularly intimidating. We use our hands for essential daily activities, from eating to scrolling through our phones. Fortunately, post-surgical hand rehabilitation at Rehab Partners of Gadsden can help restore your functionality quickly and effectively!
While you can often avoid hand or wrist surgery with dedicated hand therapy, there are times when surgery becomes necessary. The good news is that these surgeries are usually not major surgeries, especially compared to procedures like a total knee replacement or bypass surgery. However, your hands are a complex body part, and so you will need to undergo rehabilitation afterward to restore functionality.
That’s where our hand therapists come in. Just as we can help you recover from a hand injury or work with you to find a non-surgical approach to managing various hand conditions, we can guide you through the post-surgical hand rehabilitation process.
Curious about what that process looks like? Keep reading, or give us a call at our Gadsden, AL clinic. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have!
Understanding Hand and Wrist Surgeries
If your hand condition isn’t responding to hand therapy, you’ll often need surgery to resolve it. Remember that surgery is rarely the frontline option–it’s best to see if hand non-surgical interventions can help first.
Most hand surgeries are relatively simple procedures. You’ll receive some form of anesthesia–fortunately, general anesthesia, which affects the entire body, isn’t always required, so you may only need to undergo local anesthesia and/or sedation. Your surgeon will let you know which will work best for you.
The surgery itself will generally require a small incision through which the surgeon will perform any necessary repairs. The location will vary depending on what condition you have. Similarly, your recovery time will also depend on the condition and the amount of work done during the procedure.
Here are a few of the conditions that might require surgery after more non-invasive methods have proven ineffective:
- Arthritis
- Tendonitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Cubital tunnel syndrome
- Finger, hand, or wrist fractures
- Nerve or tendon injuries
Regardless of the reason for your procedure, post-surgical rehabilitation is the key to ensuring an excellent long-term outcome. Improvement after hand surgery can be gradual, and a comprehensive rehabilitation program will help you maximize that improvement.
What’s Involved in Post-Surgical Hand Rehabilitation?
Post-surgical hand rehabilitation focuses on helping you improve your hand’s strength, range of motion, and functionality after surgery. We’ll work closely with you and your hand surgeon to develop a program that addresses your needs and recovery goals.
You’ll likely need to immobilize your hand immediately after surgery using a splint or bandage. At first, you’ll need to wear the device at all times, but eventually, you’ll move on only wearing it at night, which helps facilitate your recovery.
Your rehabilitation sessions at Rehab Partners of Gadsden will also progress over time. Initially, we’ll focus on pain management and very gentle exercises to get your hand moving. As you see improvement, we’ll gradually build on the intensity of the exercises, focusing first on strength and mobility before moving on to overall functionality.
Rehabilitation times will vary based on the exact nature of your surgery. Generally speaking, however, you can expect to spend 2-3 months to regain strength in your hand, then another 6 months to regain full mobility and functionality.
What Post-Surgical Hand Rehabilitation Techniques Will We Use?
The hand therapists at Rehab Partners of Gadsden have a variety of techniques and approaches at our disposal. We also always customize rehabilitation programs to suit the needs of our patients, so no two plans are alike. However, you can expect us to include one or more of the following:
- Manual Therapy: Manual therapy includes several hands-on techniques to reduce pain, improve mobility, and promote blood circulation. Joint mobilization, soft tissue manipulation, and gentle stretches can all help facilitate your rehabilitation.
- Strengthening Exercises: Movement is critical to successful rehabilitation. We’ll develop a customized hand-strengthening program and guide you through the process, monitoring your progress and adjusting as needed. We’ll start simply and gradually build in intensity.
- Functional Training: Besides building strength and restoring mobility, we can help you relearn how to do the basic day-to-day activities you might find difficult after your procedure.
- Lifestyle Modification: Some conditions, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, will require you to modify your hand and wrist movements to ensure the surgical correction remains effective. We’ll show you ergonomic adjustments you can make to prevent a relapse.
While post-surgical hand rehabilitation can be a lengthy process, it can ultimately help you resolve your pain, discomfort, and impairment. Plus, maintaining a positive attitude throughout your rehabilitation may actually improve your outcomes!
Schedule An Appointment To Learn More!
Are you scheduled for hand surgery? If you live in Gadsden, AL, the team at Rehab Partners of Gadsden would love to help guide you through rehabilitation afterward.
Your Recovery Starts At Rehab Partners Of Gadsden
Rehab Partners of Gadsden in Gadsden, AL provides you with the relief you deserve and gets you back to doing the things that you love. Our goal is to help you heal from an injury, learn how to prevent future injuries, and provide pain relief through our customized treatment plans.
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