Osteoarthritis in the hands
We use our hands for nearly every task that we do everyday – we need it to create a powerful grip as well as perform complex fine tasks. Osteoarthritis – or wear and tear in the hand – most commonly affects the base of the thumb (the carpo-metacarpal joint). This joint is subject to extremely…
Is Your Smart Phone Hurting Your Body?
Do you have hand, wrist or elbow pain that you think may be linked to the overuse of your computer or mobile phone? Then you are probably right and not alone! Health practitioners are seeing a rise of dysfunctional postures and soft tissue injuries caused by prolonged use of these devices, and there are now…
Hand writing tips and tricks for HSC students!
Hand writing for HSC students – tips and tricks with Total Physiotherapy’s Hand Therapist Jane Leathwood
Hand Therapy Week 2021
The Australian Hand Therapy Association defines hand therapy as: “The art and science of rehabilitation of the upper limb, which include the hand, wrist, arm and shoulder. Using specialised skills in assessment, planning and treatment, hand therapists provide therapeutic intervention to prevent dysfunction, restore function or reverse the progression of upper limb pathologies.” Did you…
Jane’s top tips to make life easier for your sore wrist!
Tip One: Jar opening: tap the side of the lid against something firm such as the bench top or a chopping board. This releases the pressure on the lid. Then use two small pieces of grippy mat to hold both the jar and the lid to easily open it. You can also use the grippy…
Mallet Finger Injuries – Not so small…
What is a mallet finger injury? The mallet injury is a tear of the long tendon that extends the tip of the finger. It may be just the tendon in isolation but also can be accompanied by a small fragment of bone being pulled off the point at which the tendon attaches, known as an…
Focal Hand Dystonia
FOCAL HAND DYSTONIA (FHD) What is FHD? A movement disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions and postures affecting extensively trained movements. e.g. musician’s dystonia, writer’s cramp How does it present? Typical age: 30-40 Men & women can be affected Painless Absence of other signs & symptoms Little variation each day No sensory deficit Loss of motor…