Ligament Sprain Rehabilitation for Elbow, Wrist, Hand

Hand therapy plays an essential role in the rehabilitation of ligament sprains in the elbow, hand or wrist. The goals of hand therapy for ligament sprains are to reduce pain and inflammation, promote healing, restore range of motion, improve strength and stability, and facilitate a safe return to functional activities. Here are some key components of hand therapy for ligament sprains:

1. Immobilization and Protection: Initially, the hand therapist may recommend immobilization of the elbow, hand or wrist with a splint or brace to protect the injured ligament and promote healing. The splint helps to stabilize the area, reduce pain, and prevent further damage during the early stages of recovery.

2. Pain and Inflammation Management: Hand therapists employ various techniques to manage pain and reduce inflammation associated with ligament sprains. These may include modalities such as cold therapy, heat therapy, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, or manual techniques to alleviate pain and swelling.

3. Range of Motion Exercises: As the pain and inflammation subside, hand therapists guide patients through a progressive range of motion exercise program. These exercises help restore normal joint mobility, prevent stiffness, and maintain or improve flexibility in the affected hand or wrist.

4. Strengthening Exercises: Once the ligament has healed sufficiently, hand therapists prescribe strengthening exercises to improve muscle strength and stability around the affected joint. Uniquely to ligament injuries, our Hand therapists emphasize on the need for timely friendly muscles recruitment to match activity loading demands. These exercises may involve resistance training using therapy putty, hand grippers, resistance bands, gyroscope ball or other therapeutic equipment to target specific muscles and enhance functional abilities.

5. Proprioceptive and Weightbearing Training: Ligament sprains can affect joint stability and proprioception (the sense of joint position). Hand therapists incorporate exercises that challenge weight bearing and proprioception to improve joint stability and prevent re-injury. These exercises may involve balance boards, foam pads, or specific proprioceptive exercises.

6. Taping and Bracing Techniques: Hand therapists may utilize taping or bracing techniques to provide additional support and stability during the rehabilitation process. These techniques can help protect the ligament, enhance joint alignment, and provide proprioceptive feedback to the injured area.

7. Activity-Specific Training: Hand therapists assess the patient's functional goals and develop an activity-specific training program. This may involve simulating specific work-related tasks, sports-related movements, or activities of daily living to improve coordination, dexterity, and strength required for specific activities.

8. Patient Education: Hand therapists educate patients about the injury, the healing process, and precautions to prevent re-injury. They provide guidance on activity modifications, ergonomics, and home exercise programs to ensure proper self-management and optimize recovery.

It is important to note that hand therapy for ligament sprains should be individualized based on the specific ligament involved, the severity of the sprain, and the patient's unique needs. Close collaboration between the hand therapist, referring physician, and other members of the healthcare team ensures a comprehensive and effective rehabilitation plan.

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Sources:

1. American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT)​

2. American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)​

3. PubMed​

4. Mayo Clinic​

5. OrthoInfo (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)