Tanya Coats Occupational Therapy

Hand Surgery

Broken Hand | Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

So you decided to get into the Christmas spirit and put up some decorations. You got out the ladder, but oops, you fell. Now your hand is swollen and bruised, however, you have full range of movement of your fingers and wrist. What is it? A broken hand is when a break/fracture occurs to one …

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CMC Osteoarthritis: pain at the base of the thumb

Do you experience pain at the base of your thumb when opening jars, turning keys, writing, etc. Are you worried that you are developing arthritis? Is there a role for hand therapy? What is it? Osteoarthritis at the base of the thumb is a degenerative condition, which may be associated with pain, stiffness, weakness and …

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Biomechanics of the Distal Radioulnar Joint

The distal radioulnar articulation (inferior radioulnar joint) is a joint between the two bones in the forearm; the radius and ulna. It is one of two joints between the radius and ulna, the other being the proximal radioulnar articulation. The distal radioulnar articulation is the one of the two closest to the wrist and hand. …

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Controlling Swelling in Your Hands

Do the following activities and exercises to help control swelling in your hand or both hands, depending on where your swelling is. This will help improve the motion of your fingers. Lying down or sitting Whenever you lie down or sit, rest your hand and forearm on a stack of pillows. Keep your hand above …

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Women with Dupuytren Disease

A traditional Dupuytren narrative is that Dupuytren disease is primarily a painless nuisance problem of bent fingers in old men. This perception does a disservice to many. Not only is Dupuytren common in women, it may also present a unique burden to women. Updating the traditional narrative is central to raising awareness about Dupuytren. Overall, …

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Which jobs can cause carpal tunnel syndrome?

A light at the end of the carpal tunnel? You may have heard that typing on a computer all day can cause carpal tunnel syndrome, but a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released on Thursday shows there are far more jobs that put workers at risk for the condition.Carpal tunnel …

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Treating Linear Scars over Joints

This blog is a dialogue between our clinical experts Jerry Ditz, DPT, Dip. Osteopractic, Cert. SMT, Cert. DN and Karol Young, OTD, OTR/L, CHT. Question: Linear scars over a joint, such as those created by extensor tendon repairs over finger joints or in a total knee arthroplasty, can limit range of motion and function. What …

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An Overview of Lateral and Medial Elbow Epicondylitis

Lateral and medial elbow epicondylitis are two conditions also known as tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow respectively, and are common causes of elbow pain. Let’s take a look at the causes, symptoms and treatment suitable for elbow epicondylitis. Elbow epicondylitis is a common cause of elbow pain and can occur on either side of the …

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Anatomy 101: The Extensor Tendons

Tendons are cord-like extensions that connect muscles to bones. Extensor tendons are thin tendons located on the back of the hand, just under the skin. These particular tendons allow you to straighten your fingers and thumb and can be injured by a simple cut or jammed finger. These injuries can cause the tendons to rip …

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What To Do If You’re Experiencing Tingling and Numbness in Your Hands Whilst Pregnant

Women can be more prone to developing carpal tunnel syndrome during pregnancy. Here’s a look at why and what you can do to help it. During pregnancy you can be more prone to developing carpal tunnel syndrome. This is because there can accumulation of fluid in the body which places more pressure on the median …

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