Blog

Certified Hand Therapy

Posted on 11-25-2025 in Wrist, occupational therapy, Hand, Elbow & hand therapy by Dr. Steven Kronlage

Hand Therapy services at our Pensacola office, located on 9th Avenue, and our Gulf Breeze location at the Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine (Ste. 209) provide an opportunity to treat both acute and chronic conditions or injuries of the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder. At North Florida Bone & Joint Specialists, our fellowship-trained surgeons work closely with our exceptional Certified Hand Therapists to develop a comprehensive course of treatment to improve outcomes related to conditions and injuries of the upper extremities, including the following:

  • Fractures
  • Arthritis
  • Congenital differences
  • Crush injuries or trauma
  • Sports-related injuries
  • Work injuries and return to work strategies
  • Custom bracing for a return to sports or work
  • Ligament injury and instability
  • Muscle strains, tears and avulsions
  • Tendon injuries and conditions (e.g., lacerations, tendonitis, ruptures)
  • Nerve injuries and conditions (e.g., neuropathies, palsies, nerve repair)
  • Neuromuscular pathologies
  • Ergonomic evaluations and recommendations
  • Wounds, scars and injuries of all kinds

We begin by evaluating the demands of the patient’s workplace and home, including caregiving roles and leisure activities, to ensure that interventions are designed to meet tangible, realistic outcomes like returning to work or living safely at home. In addition to a history intake, the evaluation process may also include:

  • Range of motion testing
  • Strength testing
  • Observation of functional task performance
  • Sensory testing

Our Hand Therapists will discuss your treatment goals with you to learn more about how your condition or injury impacts your life and how we can help you return to daily activities. A comprehensive plan of care to treat these injuries and conditions may include a combination of therapeutic activities and exercises, post-surgical/injury education, scar and pain management, sensory re-education, mirror therapy and joint protection and/or energy modification. We also offer training in activities of daily living and adaptive or assistive devices, and custom orthosis fabrication.

If you currently suffer from an injury or condition of your hand, wrist, elbow or shoulder that occupational therapy may benefit from, please contact our office at 850-807-4200 or complete our online Appointment Request form to schedule a visit.

Save or share this information:

Check out some of our related posts:

Ultrasound Use in Sports Medicine

Musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging offers orthopaedic patients safe, painless, and real-time imaging, without any harmful ionizing radiation or the need for uncomfortable positioning. As the first sports medicine physician in the region to utilize ultrasound for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, Dr. Josh Hackel’s commitment to innovation has improved the accessibility of care for his patients.

Read More
Strong Bones & Aging

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, approximately 2 million older Americans sustain fractures yearly due to weak bones. By 2025, that number is predicted to rise to 3 million fractures annually. At North Florida Bone & Joint Specialists, we recognize the importance of maintaining strong bones, particularly as you age. In honor of Healthy Aging Month, the following tips can help you maintain, and even improve, your bone strength:

Read More
Osteoporosis Management

We see our share of broken bones as an orthopaedic and sports medicine practice. From the high school baseball player who collided with first base a little too hard to the avid DIY’er who took a tumble from an unsecured ladder and everything in between, we’ve seen it all. As we age, we also gradually lose bone mass, which occurs as small amounts of healthy bone are absorbed into your body as small amounts are replaced. When more bone is absorbed than is replaced, the density (bone mass) is reduced. Osteoporosis develops when the bone is no longer replaced as quickly as it is removed, and over time, it causes the bone to become progressively weaker, increasing the risk that it may break.

Read More
Back to the Blog