Healthy Living Newsletter
A Touch of the Hand
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| Claudia Nill, Certified Hand Therapist (CHT), (pictured left), adjusts the high-volt stimulation glove on Aaron Young during his hand therapy. The electricity that runs through the glove helps to reduce the swelling of Aaron’s hand providing for increased flexibility and mobility. |
Hand Therapy services provide Mercy FITRAC patients access to highly-trained specialists.
With dedicated skill, Certified Hand Therapist Claudia Nill is providing the healing touch necessary to help Aaron Young of Fort Gratiot on the road to recovery.
Receiving a vast array of hand therapies, Aaron is working to regain what his orthopedic surgeon has predicted as 50 percent of the wrist mobility and 100 percent of the finger mobility he had prior to the workplace accident he experienced in early October 2007.
The road has been long and bumpy, but at 27 years old, Aaron’s trust in the rehabilitation of his hand lies with Claudia, who has been providing hand therapy services through Mercy FITRAC in Port Huron since 1991.
A hand therapist is an occupational or physical therapist who, through advanced study, specializes in rehabilitating patients with conditions effecting the hands and upper quadrant.
In addition to training, certified hand therapists also have a minimum of five years clinical experience and have successfully passed an examination of advanced clinical skills and therapy in upper extremity rehabilitation. The exam requires detailed understanding of the anatomy and treatment of the upper quadrant.
One of only three hand therapists in the community, Claudia sees patients based on referrals from physicians across the region, helping them regain use and mobility of the hand and wrist.
Not unlike Aaron, many of her patients have experienced a workplace accident. Claudia also treats patients who have experienced stroke, tendon and nerve disorders and lacerations, fractures and dislocations, inflammatory disorders, chronic pain syndrome and nerve compressions. Many patients seeking the care of a hand therapist also suffer from such chronic problems as arthritis or neurological conditions.
Aaron came under Claudia’s care six weeks after his fall at work. Landing on his right hand in an inverted position, he dislocated bones in his wrist.
An advanced hand surgeon scheduled Aaron for surgery which included the placement of pins to position his bones to properly heal. After the cast was removed, Aaron began work with Mercy FITRAC to rehabilitate his hand and wrist.
Aaron is expected to continue his therapy with Claudia for
four to eight weeks; and Claudia is pleased by Aaron’s progress.
“Aaron’s case isn’t unique,” explains Claudia. “Obtaining success in the mobility of Aaron’s hand is dependent on a number of factors, most importantly, Aaron’s commitment to continue his exercises outside of treatment.”
Currently Aaron attends treatment three times a week for an hour of therapy, and continues his exercises at home. With an expected wedding date in late May 2008, Aaron hopes to be back at work as soon as possible.
“When I first started coming here my hand was really swollen and my fingers were locked in a certain position,” explains Aaron. “I was really panicked. I was afraid I’d never be able to move my hand again. Now, I’m seeing progress and I can move my fingers and my wrist.”
Using a variety of range-of-motion and strength-building therapies, Claudia is taking Aaron through a detailed plan of rehabilitation.
“Aaron has to lift up to 75 lbs. of weight during his regular work activities,” explains Claudia, “Our goal is to help Aaron achieve a successful return-to-work as well as help him maintain his lifestyle; which means the ability to continue playing basketball and golf.”
In addition to offering access to an advanced hand therapist, Mercy also provides the equipment necessary to meet the needs of the patients, including the only BTE machine in the area. This machine provides for ergonomic rehabilitation to help patients perform specific duties related to job functions.
“The provision of hand therapy services is as evolving as the orthopedic surgeons who provide the initial care,” explains Claudia. “My work is always challenging because the advanced techniques surgeons can perform in reattaching limbs and digits creates new opportunities for me.
“With access to all the right equipment, I sincerely think that the treatment of hands is as limitless as my own imagination.”
In addition to the highly specialized services of hand therapy, Mercy FITRAC, with additional outpatient facilities in Marysville and Fort Gratiot, also provides for occupational, physical and speech therapy designed to meet the needs of patients throughout the region.
For more information regarding Mercy FITRAC and its variety of programs and services, visit the Mercy Hospital website at: www.mymercy.us.
To obtain more information regarding hand therapy, call the Port Huron Mercy FITRAC Center at (810) 985-1800.
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