The Hand Therapy Unit within the Occupational Therapy Department specializes in rehabilitation of patients with hand and upper extremity injuries and conditions. This is a very specialized area of practice as many patients seen in our unit have undergone delicate surgeries and microscopic procedures. The technical complexities of these kinds of surgeries necessitate a high level of competence by therapists specialized in this area of practice. The goal of treatment is to help patients regain full hand and upper extremity function for daily activities.
Patients seen are referred mainly from hand surgeons in the Plastic Surgery and Burn Units and orthopedic surgeons. Injuries to the hand and upper extremities can be complex, involving bone, muscle, tendon, nerve and/or skin.
The Hand Therapy Unit is responsible for the assessment and treatment of referred patients through specialized skills. The therapist uses a variety of standardized and non- standardized assessment tools and treatment techniques to restore function and / or reverse the progression of the pathology. A variety of treatment techniques and tools may be used in therapeutic interventions. These are examples of some of the treatment tools we may use in Hand Therapy:
- Advanced splinting for the hand, wrist or elbow ,
- Hand /upper extremity exercise and strengthening programs
- Joint mobilization and neural mobilization as well as manual therapy
- Training in Activities of Daily Living (ADL)
- Activities
- Adaptive/ assistive devices
- Thermal modalities such as paraffin bath, fluidotherapy and hotpacks
- Electrical modalities
- Ergonomic modification
- Desensitization or sensory reeducation after nerve injuries
- Scar management and fabrication of pressure garments Burn injuries
- Conditioning prior to return to work, work hardening
- Patient and family education
The unit runs daily outpatient clinics based on fixed appointment times for outpatients and also provides daily inpatient coverage for patients on the plastic surgery wards of Rumailah Hospital.
The Unit operates from 7am to 7pm from Sunday to Thursday in Rumailah Hospital and 8am to 2pm in Al Khor on Mondays and Thursdays. Weekend on call coverage is provided for new referrals.
The Hand Therapy Unit in Al Wakra Hospital operates two afternoons a week on Monday and Thursday.
Burns Unit services are provided on an inpatient and outpatient basis at Al Wakra Hospital.
Staff in Hand UnitWe now have six Occupational Therapists who have the designation of Certified Hand Therapists and six qualified Occupational Therapists. The Certified Hand Therapists have successfully passed a comprehensive test of advanced clinical skills and theory in upper quarter rehabilitation. This credential is highly valued internationally and is a great achievement for the department. Hamad Medical Corporation is that it is recognized in the Gulf region as a Center of Excellence, a center where expert care is available.
Additional Information:For more information please contact:
- Rumailah Hospital Hand Therapy Unit.
Telephone: 44393048, 44393073
- Al Khor, Hospital Hand Therapy Unit.
Telephone: 44982176
- Al Wakra Hospital Burns Occupational Therapy:
Telephone: 40115814
