Results of a special interdisciplinary hand therapy program for work-related injuries

Hand Surg Rehabil. 2020 Dec;39(6):575-579. doi: 10.1016/j.hansur.2020.09.004. Epub 2020 Sep 19.

Abstract

The importance of postoperative care of hand injuries is undisputed, but sometimes more intensive therapy is needed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the benefits of a specialized hand rehabilitation program supervised by hand surgeons. The outcomes and short-term follow-up of 76 patients with upper extremity injuries were analyzed through patient self-reported parameters as well as objective functional scores. Improvement in all self-assessed parameters during rehabilitation was statistically significant for the DASH (p<0.001) as well as the EQ-5D (p<0.05). Further improvement in the short-term (14 weeks) was only seen for the DASH score (p<0.05). During rehabilitation, there was a statistically significant improvement in all objective measurements. Among patients with finger injuries, 71% were able to return to work. Our specialized hand rehabilitation program provides benefits for all patients. There are differences between types of upper extremity injuries in terms of the effects and necessary treatments.

Keywords: Blessures/Thérapie aux doigts; Blessures/Thérapie aux mains; Finger injuries/therapy; Hand injuries/therapy; Rehabilitation; Résultat du traitement du membre supérieur; Rééducation; Treatment outcome of the upper extremity.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Complex Regional Pain Syndromes / rehabilitation
  • Disability Evaluation
  • Female
  • Germany
  • Hand Injuries / rehabilitation*
  • Hand Strength
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Injuries / rehabilitation*
  • Patient Care Team*
  • Program Evaluation*
  • Quality of Life
  • Range of Motion, Articular
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Young Adult