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COVID Safety Notice

First published March 26, 2020 12:40pm. Updated 29th June 10:00am AEST

All patients and visitors must be wearing a mask and sign in upon entry with a QR code.

New South Wales – From 6pm on Saturday 26 June 2021, if you have been in Greater Sydney, including the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour for any reason since Monday 21 June 2021, you must follow the stay at home rules and must continue to follow them for 14 days after you were last in Greater Sydney until 11.59pm on Friday 9 July 2021.

The requirement to wear a face mask in all indoor areas of non-residential premises that was recently applied in Greater Sydney has been extended to all of NSW.

Read more from NSW Health – HERE

COVID-19 Screening Questionnaire

  • Are you feeling unwell with symptoms such as fever, sore throat, cough or shortness of breath?
  • Have you had close contact with someone who has a confirmed case of coronavirus (COVID-19)?
  • Have you travelled within the last 14 days?

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The proximal phalanx is one of the three bones that make up your finger. It is the first bone in your finger after your palm. Fractures of this bone are particularly common in children and we treat lots of them in the clinic.

Common causes, signs & symptoms of injury

A proximal phalanx fracture often occurs during contact sports, from a ball hitting the finger or a collision with another player. A fall or an accident, such as getting the finger caught in something, can also cause this injury.

Signs & symptoms to look out for are swelling and tenderness at the base of the finger. There may also be bruising in the area. An x-ray is required to diagnose the fracture.

Common treatments

A fracture that is non-displaced or minimally displaced can usually be treated conservatively. Your hand therapist can fabricate a custom-made thermoplastic splint to immobilise the fingers and allow for appropriate healing.

Here are some photos of a splint for a ring finger proximal phalanx fracture.

If the bone is fractured in a way that there are many pieces or the bone is displaced, this may require an appointment with a surgeon. Your hand therapist can also discuss this with you.

Exercises and recovery

Range of motion exercises are included as part of the recovery process. These are usually finger flexion and extension exercises. It is important to complete your exercises within a pain-free range. Exercises should be completed regularly throughout the day and light use of the hand can also aid in recovery.

Your hand therapist can create an exercise program that is tailored to your injury and difficulties. If you have broken your finger, please don’t hesitate to book an appointment. We’d be more than happy to help.

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What is a distal radius fracture?

A distal radius fracture refers to a broken wrist – they are one of the most common fractures sustained around the world. Wrist fractures often happen due to falling over, sport accidents or during high impact situations like car accidents. There are many different ways that the distal radius can fracture – sometimes they are simple breaks, but sometimes they go into the joint, have multiple fragments, or can be displaced. A distal radius fracture can be diagnosed with an x-ray however additional imaging may be required to rule out other injuries or to assist with planning surgery.

Why do I need surgery?

A hand surgeon will recommend surgery if the fracture is complex or unable to maintain correct alignment within a cast or splint. A distal radius ORIF (Open Reduction Internal Fixation) involves the application of plate and screws over the fracture site to correct the position and increase the stability of the fracture.

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Fingers going numb? Dropping things? Feeling weak?…..Have you considered that you may have Carpal tunnel?

What is carpal tunnel Syndrome (CTS)?

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is a condition that affects the hand and wrist causing a range of symptoms including pain, weakness, numbness and often pins and needle sensations in the thumb, index, middle and the radial side of the ring finger. These symptoms occur when the median nerve is compressed or injured at the level of the carpal tunnel.

The Median nerve originates at the neck, travels through the axilla at the brachial plexus, descends through the forearm then enters the hand through the carpal tunnel at the wrist level. The carpal tunnel is a narrow space in which accommodates the Median nerve, all the flexor tendons to the fingers and the small lumbrical muscles. As the fingers bend to achieve a fist position, the flexor tendons and lumbrical muscles are dragged into the carpal tunnel which can also place further compression on the median nerve subsequently causing the above mentioned symptoms.

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Archibald finalist Tsering Hannaford’s self-portrait ‘Meditation on time’, showcases the subject wearing a wrist brace, and facilitates a discussion on the importance of braces & splinting.

Hannaford’s artwork portrays herself wearing a wrist brace following an undescribed wrist injury. In her artwork, she details the reasoning and consequences of wearing a brace; moreover, her artwork highlights that splints & braces remain a pillar of hand therapy and are crucial in the treatment of wrist injuries.

Tsering Hannaford, Meditation on time (a left-handed self-portrait), oil on canvas. Photo: Jenni Carter / Art Gallery of New South Wales

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HTG-Trigger-FInger

Clicking and locking of a finger or thumb is generally known as a “Trigger finger” or “Trigger thumb.” This is a common condition involving inflammation or thickening of the tendon that bends your fingers or thumb. The tendon passes through a pulley in the palm of the hand, however when the tendon is inflamed, it can catch or lock as you make a fist or grip items.  

Trigger-Finger
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What is Raynaud’s Disease?  

Raynaud’s Disease, pronounced ‘ray-nose’ is a condition caused by the sympathetic nervous system which causes narrowing of arteries in the fingers, toes and or nose, resulting in reduced blood flow to these areas. This results in change in colour with fingers turning black or white, and then blue or purple. This cascade of colour changes is known as Raynaud’s Phenomenon. Symptoms include feeling cold, numbness, and occasionally pain in the affected areas.  

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Joint pain from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are often flared up during colder weather. Arthritis in the hand commonly occurs at the thumb carpometacarpal joint, fingertips or known as the distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) and metacarpal joint. Arthritis can also occur at the wrist. Here we take a look at different ways of managing arthritis and how a hand therapist can help. 

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Finger injuries are generally known as a ‘jarred finger.’ It commonly occurs in sports such as netball, AFL, oz tag and rugby. Quite often they are left untreated and can lead to swelling, stiffness, pain and finger deformities. Here we take a look at the most common finger injuries and how a Hand Therapist can help.

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Hand Writing Assessments for Children 

Despite learning in the digital age with laptops and iPads, handwriting is still an essential part of learning. Being able to write legibly allows your child to communicate their knowledge during exams and when they step into the workforce.  

Messy handwriting can be affected by numerous factors. These include:

  • Language deficits
  • Visual, spatial and/or fine motor issues affecting their coordination
  • Environmental factors (eg. sitting posture, size of pencils or pens and desk set up)
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You may be referred to see a ‘hands physio’ or hand therapist after an injury. Do you know what makes a hand therapist different to a general physiotherapist or occupational therapist? Let’s take a look.  

What does a hand therapist do?

A hand therapist, or practitioner in hand therapy, is a qualified occupational therapist or physiotherapist who specialises in treating hand, wrist and upper limb injuries. Hand therapists have further gained their knowledge in the anatomy and rehabilitation of the upper limb by attending courses, clinical experience and self-directed study. 

How can a hand therapist help?

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