Tanya Coats Occupational Therapy
Stay informed! Visit the SA Department of Health’s website for COVID-19 updates: www.sacoronavirus.co.za
Advice from a Certified Hand Therapist: Woodworking Hand Injuries Woodworking is a skill that requires precision and patience. Strong, functional hands are crucial to woodworking and it is important to protect them from potentially dangerous tools and accidents. Knowing the basic anatomy of the human hand and becoming familiar with symptoms for common conditions can …
What is carpal tunnel release surgery? Carpal tunnel release (CTR) is one of the most common surgeries performed and generally has excellent results. Complications are very rare. The surgery involves cutting the transverse carpal ligament, which is compressing the median nerve. While intentionally cutting a ligament to improve your hand function may seem counterintuitive, long-term outcome …
Help! My wrist and hand hurts after MTB You entered a mountain bike race that was just a bit out of your league and you finished it, well done! But you are left with pain that radiates up the outer part of your hand and your little finger won’t straighten. You can’t remember hurting or …
It’s time to crack open the Christmas decoration boxes, purchase an advent calendar, and start planning the festivities – because Christmas is coming! As we near the end of the year, the nostalgia sets in about traditions that make Christmas so special. If you share this love for Christmas baking, but your arthritis is making …
Handy tricks & tools for Xmas baking if you have arthritis Read More »
our bones tend to get weaker as you get older. That may be especially true if you have the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The virus itself may make your bones more likely to break. And some anti-HIV medications may raise your chances for bone loss. The HIV-Bone Problems Link Your bone isn’t all solid. Instead, it’s living …
The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) estimates 3,468,996 upper extremity injuries are seen in the emergency room per year. According to the CDC, approximately 2.7 million annual ER visits occurred in patients 5-24 years old after sustaining a sports injury. The majority of hand traumas are work-related, but upper extremity injuries can occur anywhere: …
Arthritis is a common disorder that affects your joints. There are many types of arthritis. Each form causes different symptoms and may need different treatments. If you have just been diagnosed with arthritis, the first question you may have is, “Now what?” Unfortunately there is currently no cure for arthritis. However, the good news is that …
Boutonniere deformity commonly occurs due to an injury of the central slip of the extensor tendon. Often when the patient presents to us they may have sat in this position for a couple of weeks, and thus started to develop a FFD meaning that they are starting to tighten up in that flexed position. Boutonniere …
A sprained thumb is a common injury among athletes. This injury happens when an ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) — tough and flexible tissue that connect bones in the thumb — gets stretched too far or tears. This injury is sometimes called “skier’s thumb” because skiers are prone to this injury when they fall with their …
A common cause of flexor tendon ruptures is usually sports related injuries. This can happen through innocuous incidents such as when a footy player’s finger gets caught in a jumper while trying to tackle an opponent (commonly referred to as a Jersey Injury). Open lacerations can make the tendon incision a little more obvious however, …