We are excited to announce in January 2021, based on demand, Axes Physical Therapy has added Hand Therapy services in our Affton, St. Peters, and South County locations. Occupational therapists Annie Pietroburgo, OTR/L in Affton, Matt Williams, MS, OTR/L in St. Peters, and Sarah Schroeder, OTR/L, CHT in South County will provide daily appointments to those suffering from an injury or post-operative conditions affecting the fingers, thumb, hand, wrist and elbow. Their addition will improve accessibility across St. Louis and St. Charles Counties to this highly specialized and sought after service.
Hand therapists are physical or occupational therapists who have specialized in the evaluation and treatment of upper extremity injuries. Certification occurs only following extensive clinical practice in upper extremity injuries and the successful completion of a rigorous certification exam. They provide post-surgical rehabilitation and treatment for pain or limitations due to trauma, general injury, disease process and/or deformities from birth and can help you regain maximum use of your hand, elbow, and shoulder.
Certified hand therapists are the experts in managing a variety of upper extremity conditions that affect your ability to perform day to day activities. They employ a wide variety of treatment techniques that are personalized to the condition and the patient. Whether it’s immobilization through fabrication of a custom splint to protect surgically repaired tissues or hands-on mobilization to improve motion in a restricted joint or tissue , Axes’ hand therapists are some of the most experienced in the greater St. Louis region.
Common conditions treated using hand therapy include:
- Upper extremity fractures
- Tendon injuries
- Peripheral nerve injuries
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- ‘Crush’ injuries
- Repetitive motion disorder (carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis, tendonitis, epicondylitis, ganglion cyst, tenosynovitis, and trigger finger)
