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Hand Infections Hand Therapy

Example of an infection of the fingernail called a “paronychia”

Our human hand can easily be injured during everyday activities, and the reason for this is that we use our hands every day, all the time, to engage and participate in life.

Be it:

• preparing food and cutting and slicing
• using a phone
• typing on keyboard
• carrying and taking care of children and loved ones
• engaging in physical activities and sports
• and more
  

Any trauma to the hand, especially an injury that breaks the skin, may introduce invasive and damaging bacteria into the area that can cause an infection.

Hand infections can happen anywhere on/in the hand which includes

• the nail
• the tendons and their coverings
• the joints and
  
• other structures deep within the hand

What are the symptoms of a hand infection?

Symptoms of a hand infection include

• pain
• redness
• swelling
• warmth
• pus and
  
• loss of motion (loss of movement)

Some finger infections can force or cause the finger to be held in a bent position and extreme pain is felt if the finger is forced to straighten.

A hand infection, if not treated early, can cause severe problems, such as

• stiffness in the wrist and fingers (can even cause contractures, which is permanent stiffness)
  
• decrease in hand strength and
  
• loss of tissues such as skin, nerve and bone

An infection near the knuckle of a middle finger showing redness and pus

What are the causes of a hand infection?

A simple cut or scrape that is not kept clean or a splinter left in a finger can lead to one's finger or hand developing infection.

One of the most common cause of hand infections occurs when bacteria from the mouth of a person or animal gets into the body after the skin is broken. This may occur when the knuckle is split open by the edge of a tooth or after a cat or dog bite.

Cellulitis is the result of a skin injury such as a

• cut
• insect bites or
• from a healing surgery incision

In some cases, it can spread into the bloodstream and cause serious problems such as

• arthritis
• osteomyelitis
• etc
  

Other hand infections are the result of herpes virus or even some bone diseases.

What is the treatment for a hand infection?

Your doctor may run tests to determine the type of bacteria causing the infection in order to decide how to treat it.

• Some simpler hand infections can be treated with antibiotics and rest.
  
• Others may require more involved treatments to drain the infection or remove infected or dead tissue and allow the skin to heal without complications.

Hand therapy is usually recommended in more complicated hand infection cases.

What can a hand therapist do for me?

Our senior hand therapist is an important team member in the treatment of hand infections.

Hand therapy treatment may include

• wound care (dressing changes)
• range of motion exercises
• strengthening exercises

The hand therapist may fabricate an orthosis to protect the injured area of the hand.

An orthosis might also be made to improve joint motion once the infection is gone. Our senior hand therapist’s goals are to assist the patient to regain as much motion, strength and function in their hand after a hand infection.

Custom-made finger orthosis for a healing finger infection

Patients may also receive the following hand therapy treatment modalities:

• cold therapy
• heat therapy
• moist heat paraffin wax therapy
• manual therapy
• joint mobilization
• ultrasound therapy
• stretching exercises
• strengthening exercises
• scar management
• wound care
• etc

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Phoenix Rehab Physio Services

Phoenix Rehab Group works with specialist physiotherapists and rehab therapists who are highly trained, qualified, experienced and passionate to provide high level of expert care to our patients.

PHYSIOTHERAPY & PHYSICAL THERAPY

• Muscle, Bone & Joint Pains Physiotherapy
• Back and Neck (Spinal / Spine) Pain Physio
• Sports Physio
• Post-surgery Physio
  

• Shoulder Pain Physio
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• Knee Pain Physio
• Computerized Spinal Decompression Traction
• Pain Relief Physiotherapy
• Shockwave Therapy
  

See all the conditions our principal physiotherapists treat.

HAND THERAPY & CUSTOMIZED SPLINTING

Patients who sustained injuries to their elbows, forearms, hands, wrists (sprains and fractures) and fingers, usually will benefit / require Hand Therapy to

1. manage and decrease hand pains
2. improve range of motion, strength and dexterity
3. increase the function of their hand following injuries or post-operations

Commonly treated hand pain injuries includes

• wrist sprains and wrist fractures
• thumb sprains, finger fractures and finger dislocations
• repetitive strain injuries such as de Quervain's tenosynovitis (mummy's thumb), carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, tennis elbow, golfer's elbow and more.
• See all the conditions our hand therapists treat here.
• Fabricate thermoplastic custom made hand splints

REFORMER CLINICAL PILATES & WELLNESS PILATES

Clinical Pilates is a form of physical exercise that focuses on posture, core stability, balance, control, strength, flexibility and breathing.

It is a system of safe and effective exercises, which meet specific individual needs, to treat a wide range of injuries and conditions.

You may do Pilates as matwork or with the reformer or both, and every session will be customized 100% to your fitness, injury and tolerance.

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE (TCM)

• Pain Management TCM
• Acupuncture TCM
• Gua Sha TCM 

• Cupping TCM
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• Herbal TCM Medicine & Supplementation

DEEP TISSUE RELEASE & SPORTS MASSAGE THERAPY

Sports and deep tissue release massage helps to increase nutrient-rich blood flow to tired, tight and tense muscles to accelerate recovery and  shorten downtime / recovery period required.

It also prevents muscles from scar tissue micro-tears (and potential ruptures), and increases muscle performance. Having regular deep tissue and sports massage will keep your muscles healthy and fit with body/movement-confidence.

Read the benefits of regular deep tissue release therapy here.

ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES

• Craniosacral Therapy
• SomatoEmotional Release
• Visceral Manipulation (VM)
• Lymphatic Drainage (LDT)
• Facilitated Stretch Therapy (FST)

All our allied health therapists and TCM physicians are fully insured and registered with Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC) and Traditional Chinese Medicine Board (TCMB).

See our entire team here with introductions and their specializations.

At the first session, our specialist physiotherapists will carry out a thorough assessment, helping them to select the most appropriate treatment to help you recover as well as provide treatment in the same session.

Follow up sessions are inline to provide expert treatment for your pain as well as prescribing specific exercises to reduce your risk of re-injury and giving you a long term solution.

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We appreciate you as our valued clients and want you to know that the # 1 way we grow as a clinic / brand is through word of mouth referrals from valued patients like yourself.

We prefer not to rely on advertising - instead, we prefer and appreciate the goodwill and positive reinforcement from patients. When you have the chance, please tell your family, friends and physicians about the positive results and experience you have had in our physio clinics.

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