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What is hand therapy?
Hand therapy is a specialized field of occupational therapy where treatment aims to restore mobility, strength, and function of the wrist, hand, and fingers following an injury, surgery, or chronic pain. It promotes a safe and lasting return to your active life.
Did you know that the Kinatex team includes several of the rare Certified Hand Therapists (CHT)?
The Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) designation is granted to occupational or physiotherapists who have acquired and demonstrated advanced expertise in hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder rehabilitation by meeting the following criteria:
- A minimum of 3 years of clinical experience in hand therapy.
- At least 4,000 hours of treatment for upper limb injuries.
- Completion of numerous advanced training courses (conferences, scientific readings, mentorship).
- Successful completion of the rigorous international Hand Therapy Certification Commission exam.
- Ongoing maintenance of expertise through continuing education and evidence-based practice.
Recognized level of expertise
Our Kinatex Rockland & Kinatex Brossard Dix30 clinics are the only ones on the Island of Montreal and the South Shore to offer this internationally recognized level of expertise, with only 15 therapists currently holding this certification in Quebec.
Our certified hand therapists (CHTs) are passionate about advanced continuing education, collaborate closely with plastic and orthopedic hand surgeons, and are actively involved with various professional associations to provide the best modern care to our patients and to teach other professionals.
Our expert therapists help patients with:
- Traumatic injuries (fractures, sprains, crush injuries).
- Hand and wrist surgeries.
- Degenerative conditions (arthritis, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome).
- Hand and wrist pain.
Why consult a hand therapist?
If you experience hand pain, numbness, difficulty moving your fingers, or loss of strength following an injury or surgery, it is recommended to consult an occupational therapist specializing in hand therapy as soon as possible.
Our treatments can help:
- Relieve pain.
- Reduce inflammation and speed up recovery.
- Prevent complications and long-term consequences (joint stiffness, adhesions, or loss of mobility) after an injury or surgery.
- Improve mobility and muscle strength.
In case of major trauma (displaced fractures, open wounds, tendon or nerve injuries, etc.), it is essential to see a plastic or orthopedic surgeon before seeking hand therapy.
How a hand therapy session unfolds at Kinatex
Our sessions begin with a thorough evaluation of your condition and goals to develop a personalized and precise treatment plan including a mix of:
- Guidance for managing pain and swelling.
- Gentle and safe mobilizations to restore range of motion.
- Specific tailored therapeutic exercises to improve flexibility and strength.
- Custom-molded orthoses to protect, stabilize, or rehabilitate the hand..
- Neuro-proprioceptive and sports taping techniques to relieve pain and improve function.
- Desensitization and Somatosensory re-education for neuropathic pain.
Our experts proactively adjust treatment regularly to ensure optimal progress.
Conditions Treated in Hand Therapy Without Surgery
Our occupational hand therapists regularly treat a wide range of conditions affecting the hand, wrist, and fingers:
Traumatic Injuries
- Sports injuries.
- Stable, non-displaced fractures.
- Ligament sprains of the wrist and fingers.
- Finger dislocations.
- Crush injuries.
- Skier’s thumb.
- Etc.
Deformities and Tendon Disorders
- Mallet finger.
- Swan neck deformity.
- Boutonnière deformit.
Pathologies
- Hand and wrist osteoarthritis.
- Tendonitis (wrist).
- Trigger finger.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome (tingling, numbness).
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS).
- Etc.
Post-surgery rehabilitatioin of the hand and wrist
Our Certified Hand Therapists (CHTs) at Kinatex Rockland and Kinatex Brossard Dix30 regularly care of our patients within the first few days after surgery in close collaboration with specialized hand and wrist surgeons in the Greater Montreal.
Common Surgeries
- Wrist and finger fracture fixation.
- Tendon and nerve laceration repair and reconstruction.
- Finger and wrist ligament repair and reconstruction.
- Joint reconstruction and replacement.
- Amputations.
- Surgery following any hand and wrist trauma.
- Carpal tunnel release.
- Dupuytren’s disease palmar fasciectomy.
- Etc.
Our post-operative services include
- Surgical wound and scar management.
- Custom-molded protective orthoses fabrication.
- Advanced protected early mobilization.
- Progressive rehabilitation with tailored exercises.
- Pain desensitization.
Early post-operative hand therapy within a week of surgery promotes faster recovery and limits long-term complications.
Learn more about our hand therapists
Jean-François Ouellet, BSC, OT, CHT – Occupational therapist & certified hand therapist
Minh-Quan Tran, MSC, OT, CHT – Occupational therapist & certified hand therapist
Chidy Ngadi, MSC, OT, CHT – Occupational therapist & certified hand therapist
Jonathan Frenette, MSC, OT – Occupational therapist, hand therapy
Thiên-Trang Vo, MSC, OT – Occupational therapist, hand therapy
Olivier Huynh, MSC, OT – Occupational therapist, hand therapy
Hand therapy treatment fees and coverage
CNESST and SAAQ Clients
- Medical prescription required.
- Fees covered by CNESST and SAAQ.
Private Clients
- Direct access without a medical prescription.
- Consult our pricing for more details.
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