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The Froedtert & The Medical College of Wisconsin Hand Center makes returning to daily life after hand trauma its top priority. In order for our patients to feel secure using their hands at home, at work and at leisure, we have expertly trained staff to assist in ergonomics education and work reconditioning.
Ergonomics Program
The Hand Center staff has expert knowledge of the way hands work with the rest of the body at home, in the workplace, and during leisure activities. Understanding ergonomics can help correct painful hand trauma like carpal tunnel syndrome, prevent further hand injury and remove the need for hand surgery.
Ergonomics education is a very important aspect of our cumulative trauma treatment program. We want patients to benefit from our expertise after they leave the hospital, so we teach them to understand the anatomy of their injured body parts. By learning what movements or postures increase or decrease the risk of injury, our patients can ease the strain on their hands and upper extremities in their daily lives. Patients also learn how to strengthen specific muscles to improve posture and increase endurance.
The Hand Center is so committed to ensuring the full hand function of our patients that we will perform an on-site job evaluation through direct physician orders. A therapist will watch the patient at work and evaluate the postures, forces, repetition, tools, office furniture and the physical environment affecting the patient. That way, our patients can return to work without fear of further injury.
Work Reconditioning
After a hand injury or surgical procedure, patients have to relearn basic hand movements. This difficult task takes time, energy, assistance, and encouragement. The physical and occupational therapists in the Hand Center’s Work Rehabilitation Program specialize in guiding patients through the process of hand recovery. To restore total function to the hand after a surgery or trauma, work rehabilitation therapists work closely with recovering patients to re-teach basic hand movements and simulate daily tasks and work responsibilities.
Work reconditioning helps bridge the gap between early treatment of an upper extremity injury and returning to work. An occupational or physical therapist assists patients in a goal-oriented treatment program designed to simulate work tasks and responsibilities. This graded therapy program increases range of motion, fine and gross motor dexterity, muscle strength and aerobic conditioning while simultaneously building patient confidence for a successful return to work. A functional capacity evaluation is available through direct physician orders to assist the physician in determining proper work restrictions.
Author: Cassandra M. Profita Source: Donald Kroll, Hand Center Supervisor (July 30, 2004) |
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