Hand Therapy
Hand therapy works best when it is provided by a trained hand therapist. The hand is complex and has many small parts—bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, nerves, blood vessels, muscles, and skin—all working together. Because of this, it takes special knowledge and experience to treat hand and upper‑extremity problems safely and effectively.
At Tidewater Orthopaedics, patients in Hampton Roads and nearby areas can receive hand therapy from specialists who work closely with our hand surgeons.
Why Specialized Hand Therapy Matters
The hand is complex
Your hand has many small structures that must move and heal the right way for you to return to daily activities. A hand therapist understands how these parts work together and how injuries or surgery can affect motion, strength, and function.
Advanced training and certification
Our hand therapists complete focused training and earn advanced certifications. They are certified through the Hand Therapy Certification Commission (HTCC). To become a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT), a therapist must have at least five years of experience and complete at least 4,000 hours of hand therapy training before passing the certification exam.
What Hand Therapy May Include After Surgery
Common parts of treatment
Hand therapy is often recommended after surgery to support healing and help restore movement and strength. Treatment may include:
- Incision care and assessment
- Splinting
- Prescribing and assisting with proper exercises
- Attending follow‑up appointments with surgeons
- Monitoring patient progress
Teamwork That Supports Your Recovery
Care coordinated with your surgeon
Our hand therapists and hand surgeons work as a team. This teamwork helps ensure your therapy plan matches your surgical care and supports safe progress through recovery.
Schedule a Hand Therapy Consultation
Call to make an appointment
To learn more about hand therapy or to schedule a consultation with an orthopaedic subspecialist at Tidewater Orthopaedics, call (757) 827‑2480.