Hand therapy at Spire Norwich Hospital

Hand therapy is the non-surgical management of hand disorders and injuries using treatment such as exercise, splinting and wound care.

The hand is one of the most complex parts of your body and involves the intricate movement of the tendons, bones, tissues and nerves. The complex interaction of these structures, allow us to grip and do a wide variety of complex tasks.

A hand therapist requires a high level of specialisation, advanced post-graduate education and clinical experience in order to manage such conditions.

Following a hand injury or surgery, the hand may not function as before due to swelling, pain, loss of motion, altered dexterity, reduced grip etc. These people require specialist hand therapy treatment in order to return them to work, their hobbies and sporting activities that they enjoy.

A hand therapist is a registered occupational therapist or physiotherapist who specialises in the rehabilitation of patients with conditions affecting the hands and upper limb.

The hand therapist will provide specialist care of your condition, as they can assess your problem, educate you on the condition, and provide treatment including individualised splint fabrication, exercises and guidance.

Furthermore, if necessary they can instigate a referral to specific clinicians or for investigations to get the management necessary to optimise your recovery. The hand therapist often works alongside surgeons, planning and implementing post-operative care in order to optimise patients’ recovery following injury and surgery.

You will have a formal consultation with a healthcare professional. During this time you will be able to explain your medical history, symptoms and raise any concerns that you might have.

We will also discuss with you whether any further diagnostic tests, such as scans or blood tests, are needed. Any additional costs will be discussed before further tests are carried out.

We've tried to make your experience with us as easy and relaxed as possible.

For more information on visiting hours, our food, what to pack if you're staying with us, parking and all those other important practicalities, please visit our patient information pages.

Our dedicated team will also give you tailored advice to follow in the run up to your visit.

Splints are not required by everyone, however if you do require a splint there is an additional cost for this. We will discuss all the options and provide you with the guidance to ensure the appropriate management is provided.

We are committed to delivering excellent individual care and customer service across our network of hospitals, clinics and specialist care centres around the UK. Our dedicated and highly trained team aim to achieve consistently excellent results. For us it's more than just treating patients, it's about looking after people.

Important to note

The treatment described on this page may be adapted to meet your individual needs, so it's important to follow your healthcare professional's advice and raise any questions that you may have with them.