Tanya Coats Occupational Therapy
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Signs you may have a fracture If you have fallen on an outstretched hand, caught your finger in the door or knocked your finger in a game and are not sure if you have fractured your bones, here are some signs to look for. Tenderness at the site of injury Bruising or colour changes Pain, which …
I think I have a hand fracture, what do I do now? Read More »
Ergonomic products for your desk and workstation Whether you have elected to keep working from home, or you have returned to the office, it’s always important to ensure your desk and workstation is set up properly. The term ‘ergonomic’ is one widely used to refer to the desired computer-area set up. Put simply, ergonomics is …
Many people have heard of certain common conditions that affect the hand. They may even know the symptoms of those conditions and certain ways to treat the problems. However, I find that very few of my patients actually understand what is happening inside their body to produce a given problem or set of symptoms. Hopefully, …
Causes and Treatment of Common Hand Problems: Trigger Finger Read More »
When you’ve injured your hand or wrist, and you need help, where do you turn? The list can be long and confusing: physical therapy, occupational therapy, hand therapy. Which one do you make an appointment with? Does it matter? Actually, it does. There is a difference between a physical therapist and a hand therapist. Choosing the …
Wrist injuries in tennis players are, unfortunately, very common and can result from a single traumatic event or from chronic repetitive motions. Juan Martin Del Potro won the 2009 US Open only to miss most of the 2010 season due to a wrist injury. Wrist injuries occur more frequently on the dominant side and can …
Regaining movement after an injury or immobilisation Assisting patients to overcome upper limb stiffness following injury and immobilisation constitutes a large part of a hand therapist‘s day. In theory, stretching stiff structures is simple, right? Take something that isn’t moving, and make it move again! However, the uninitiated soon learn that stretching is a subtle and patient …
The do’s and don’ts of stretching after an injury Read More »
Fact or fiction: Is cracking your knuckles bad for you and does it cause arthritis? Knuckle cracking is a behaviour that involves manipulation of the finger joints that results in an audible crack, and it is often done habitually. If you’re not a ‘knuckle cracker’, you’re probably irritated by those around you who do. Why …
Accidents can happen anytime, anywhere. Regardless of your activity level or how physically fit you think you may be, you’ll never know when you might trip or fall. You can slip and fall during a rainy or snowy day, but you can also experience an accident as temperatures heat up and you head out to …
What to do if you tripped or fell and heard a “pop” Read More »
In this article, we will be discussing lateral tendinopathy or tennis elbow. Prior to discussing causes and symptoms it is first important to recap on anatomy. The extensor muscles attach primarily to the lateral epicondyle of the humerus via the common extensor tendon. Superiorly on the image you have ECRL – which primarily attaches to …
Lateral Epicondylitis: Causes, Symptoms And Treatment Read More »
Carpal tunnel release surgery is one of the most common procedures performed by hand surgeons in the United States. Over 90% of patients are pleased with the results of surgery, and they would recommend the surgery to a family member or friend. After the procedure, most patients have decreased hand numbness, no more hand tingling …