Tanya Coats Occupational Therapy
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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 »
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, …
The thumb is involved in about 50% of all hand functions. When the thumb is painful or injured, it becomes very difficult to use the hand. During normal life, we take our thumbs for granted. When the thumb is not working properly, tasks are more difficult, and we then realize how important the thumb is. …
Hand surgeon Thomas R. Boyce, MD discusses why your fingers may be stiff and how to treat them. Stiff fingers can be very troublesome. Your hands and fingers are vital tools with which you interact with the world. Without normal use of your hands and fingers, activities including household tasks, work, hobbies, and sports all …
Trigger finger is one of the most common conditions of the hand and can cause painful popping or locked fingers. Watch how it affects the tendons in the hand when you bend and straighten your fingers. Learn more about the causes, symptoms and treatment of trigger finger here. If you need help with this, feel …
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 …
Orthotic interventions can benefit our elderly patients by protecting sore and inflamed joints, providing stability and support, correcting and/ or preventing contractures, and offering relief from pain. When working with this population, the clinician must take into account each patient’s physical and cognitive status along with their ability to perform independent activities of daily living …
Overuse of certain muscles and tendons from constant smartphone use can cause inflammation and tendonitis, resulting in pain. Here’s how you can help. Constant smartphone use can lead to tendonitis, inflammation and pain. The thumb is mainly affected due to holding the phone in the palm and using the thumb for repetitive texting and scrolling. …
Hand Pain When Using a Smartphone: Here’s How You Can Help Read More »
It is quite likely that you will have to visit a hand therapist at some point in your life, but what exactly is hand therapy? Hand therapy is rehabilitation designed specifically for the upper limb. A hand therapist can either be a physiotherapist (hand physio) or Occupational Therapist (OT). Hand therapists have furthered their knowledge …
Scenario: Tom is three years old and his mother noticed the tip of his thumb was stuck in a bent position. It occasionally clicks which causes him pain. He underwent surgery to release the A1 pulley. Trigger Thumb In Children Trigger thumb is common in young children. They likely have had it from birth, but …