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Hand Therapy 101
Posted on 05-09-2025 in Wrist, occupational therapy, Finger, Hand, Elbow & hand therapy by Dr. Steven Kronlage
Posted on 05-09-2025 in Wrist, occupational therapy, Finger, Hand, Elbow & hand therapy by Dr. Steven Kronlage
As a subset of occupational therapy, hand therapy plays a significant role in treating and improving patient outcomes related to acute and chronic conditions of the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder. At North Florida Bone & Joint Specialists, our Certified Hand Therapists (CHTs) are board-certified in occupational therapy with an added qualification in Hand Therapy. Working with a CHT can have several benefits, including:
Our CHTs work collaboratively with our fellowship-trained surgeons, Dr. Steven Kronlage, Dr. Alex Coleman and Dr. James Piorkowski, to develop comprehensive treatment plans for patients with arthritis, congenital differences, tendonitis, neuropathies, palsies and other conditions. They also work with patients recovering from nerve repair and injuries such as tendon ruptures, ligament instability, wounds, lacerations, fractures, crush or other trauma-related injuries, and those sustained while participating in sports or on the job.
The intake process begins with reviewing your medical history and evaluating your physical demands at home and work, as well as those required for leisure activities or your role as a caregiver. Range of motion, strength and sensory testing, and observing the performance of functional tasks may also be included in the initial evaluation process. Our CHTs will also discuss your treatment goals to ensure realistic outcomes, such as safely performing daily tasks at home or returning to athletics. A comprehensive plan of care may include a combination of the following:
If you currently suffer from an injury or condition of your hand, wrist, elbow or shoulder that may benefit from occupational therapy with one of our Certified Hand Therapists at North Florida Bone & Joint Specialists, please contact our office at 850-807-4200 or complete our online Appointment Request Form to schedule a visit with one of our Hand Center Physicians.
Arthritis represents a wide variety of joint inflammation diseases. Patients most often have chronic Arthritis in their wrists, hands, and fingers, experiencing flares of inflammation, soreness or stiffness affecting the joints. As we recently wrapped up Bone & Joint Action Week, this is an excellent opportunity to bring awareness to the most common categories of Arthritis, proactive methods for pain prevention and available treatment solutions.
Arthritis literally translates to “inflammation of the joint” and describes the degenerative process through which a joint space loses its “cushioning,” whether are the result of injury, illness or the natural process of aging. It is the leading cause of musculoskeletal pain and can be found in almost every part of the body, from the shoulder all the way down to the smallest joint of the toe. Our joints are intricate structures shaped from cartilage, bone, muscle and connective tissue, all of which can gradually weaken over time or be damaged by acute injury. While there are more than one hundred known types of arthritis, the three most common forms are osteoarthritis, which is by far the most prevalent; rheumatoid arthritis, which is caused by the body’s own immune system generating a chronic inflammatory response in the joints; and post-traumatic arthritis, which is caused by the lingering structural damage of acute injuries.
Research from the National Library of Medicine states that one in seven people in the United States suffers from some form of wrist arthritis. That estimate indicates that just over 13% of the American population experiences discomfort, inflammation or limited range in motion due to this condition. As we usher in the month of May and recognize National Arthritis Awareness Month, we want to emphasize wrist arthritis and provide an overview of the condition, symptoms to be aware of, treatment options, and tips for managing its symptoms.