Question about occupational therapy for broken finger and damaged tendon that wa!
Question: Question about occupational therapy for broken finger and damaged tendon that was surgically fixed!?
Does the fact that I was prescribed occupational therapy mean that I will never regain full use of my finger and hand OR is it just a starting point!? Is there a possibility I will 'graduate' to physical therapy!?Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
No, not at all!. An OT can be a specialist in hand therapy, and quite often phyiscal therapist and OT's have very very similar roles!. An OT can be a hand specialist, so this is not the case at all!. OT's generally look at very fine motor skills, such as writing, and typing, so that fact that it is a finger injury fits in very well with their job profile!.
You wont "graduate" to PT, as the occupational therapist should be able to do just as much good (if not more) than a PT, as an OT will look at the finger injury hollistically, as in how it affects your life, not just getting it moving again!. It may only be a finger, but fingers are important and the fact that you have been given a prescription for OT is possibly actually better than PT!.
Good luck, and use the OT as best you can!. ask as many questions as you need, and dont be scared about it! :)Www@Answer-Health@Com
You wont "graduate" to PT, as the occupational therapist should be able to do just as much good (if not more) than a PT, as an OT will look at the finger injury hollistically, as in how it affects your life, not just getting it moving again!. It may only be a finger, but fingers are important and the fact that you have been given a prescription for OT is possibly actually better than PT!.
Good luck, and use the OT as best you can!. ask as many questions as you need, and dont be scared about it! :)Www@Answer-Health@Com
You could have done either in reality!. If you would rather be seen by a physical therapist then find one that does hands!. This is usually an area that is done by occupational therapist but as I said there are physical therapists that also do hands!. As for the use of the finger look at it this way if the doctor didn't think that there was going to be a return to function there would be no need to ask for therapy period!. It is a starting point and one that should allow you to regain full use of the finger and hand!. "Graduation" to physical therapy would depend upon what you do and what sports you might participate in!. You will be happy with the occupational therapist or physical therapist that does hands!. Just remember to observe the precautions that the doctor has placed upon you!. You didn't state what finger or tendon that was injured and what procedure was done!. Good luck!Www@Answer-Health@Com
Physical therapy and Occupational therapy overlap when it comes to treating the hand!. The clear choice here is the therapist who has the better training and experience!. With that kind of injury I would see a physical or occupational therapist who is a CHT (certified hand therapist)!. Many tendon repairs require custom splints that only highly and specially trained clinicians can make!. If you get a therapist PT or OT who does not have special training they could mess it up or you may not get as good of an outcome!.
Make sure your therapist is a CHT or knows what they are doing!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Make sure your therapist is a CHT or knows what they are doing!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
Getting a prescription to an occupational therapist is a good thing, not a bad thing!. One does not 'graduate' to physical therapy!. Occupational therapists are highly skilled at treating hands and helping you regain full function, full sensation and normal use of your finger!. You might look to see if your therapist has CHT after his/her name!. This means Certified Hand Therapist and is a real sign of specialization in hand therapy!.
Relax, you will be fine!. Www@Answer-Health@Com
Relax, you will be fine!. Www@Answer-Health@Com
I agree with all the posts so far!.!.!.it does not matter PT or OT!.!.!.as long as you are seeing someone who is a certified hand therapist!. This is one area where the two professions overlap!. Generally speaking, however, most CHTs are OTs!. Www@Answer-Health@Com