Rehabilitation and Return to Work
Hand Therapy
The HANDOC surgeons will see patients regularly throughout their treatment. In addition to this, our patients will be referred to experienced occupational therapists who have expertise in hand therapy.
An independent hand therapy provider is located at our Subiaco and Murdoch rooms. They also operate at 8 other locations throughout Perth metropolitan area and the South West Western Australia making for convenient and easy access.
Based on patient location we do refer to other hand therapy providers and can also make referrals based on referring doctor, employer and employee preferences.
Hand therapy includes the use of prescribed exercises and treatment techniques, including;
- Splinting/Orthotics
- Exercises to regain range of movement and use
- Scar management
- Desensitisation
- Pain management
- Strengthening
Such exercises and techniques are used during the recovery phase and are adapted according to recovery rate, any arising complications and healing phase post-injury or surgery.
Return to Work
The team at HANDOC liaises closely with several established vocational rehabilitation providers in WA and are able to assist with advice on suitable duties or, where necessary, direct retraining or redeployment.
The treating surgeon will provide a return to work date, which in many cases can be as soon as the following day. Depending on the injury and treatment, the patient may be returned to work under certain conditions, such as light or restricted duties. If so, the surgeon will provide guidance on this for the patient’s employer.
Where necessary, HANDOC is able to refer patients to an occupational physician to provide timely permanent impairment assessments on injured workers once they have reached maximal medical improvement.