Finger and hand physical therapy, often referred to as hand therapy, is a specialized area of rehabilitation focused on addressing injuries, conditions, and functional limitations affecting the fingers, hand, wrist, and forearm. Hand therapists, including occupational therapists and physical therapists with specialized training, play a crucial role in helping individuals recover from hand-related injuries, manage pain, restore function, and enhance overall hand health and performance.

Finger Injuries

1. Trigger Finger (Stenosing Tenosynovitis)
2. Mallet Finger
3. Jersey Finger
4. Boutonniere Deformity
5. Swan Neck Deformity
6. Finger Fractures
7. Finger Dislocations
8. Dupuytren’s Contracture
9. Arthritis (Osteoarthritis or Rheumatoid Arthritis)
10. Flexor Tendon Injuries
11. De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
12. Ganglion Cysts
13. Carpometacarpal (CMC) Joint Arthritis

Wrist Injuries

1. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
2. De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
3. Wrist Sprain
4. Wrist Fractures (e.g., Colles’ Fracture)
5. TFCC Tear (Triangular Fibrocartilage Complex)
6. Ganglion Cyst
7. Tendonitis
8. Arthritis
9. Kienböck’s Disease
10. Wrist Dislocation
11. Scaphoid Fracture
12. Ligament Sprains (e.g., Scapholunate Ligament)

Physical therapy interventions for these finger and wrist conditions often include exercises to improve range of motion, strength, and flexibility, manual therapy techniques such as soft tissue mobilization or joint mobilizations, modalities like ultrasound or electrical stimulation for pain relief, ergonomic education, splinting or bracing, and activity modification to facilitate healing and prevent further injury.