Return to Work Program

Workplace and motor vehicle accidents are leading causes of injury to the hands and wrists. Specific traumas range from overuse injuries such as repetitive strain (RSI) to hand fractures and finger amputations. Returning to work after sustaining an on-the-job injury is a frustrating and often complex process. A hand therapist will work with you and your insurance company, rehabilitation specialists, and medical team to guide you through your recovery journey back to work and hobbies.

Personalised Rehabilitation Programs

Since the nature of injury for each patient is different, the work return program also varies and is based on the nature of their injury, job demands and lifestyle variables and social support. Hand therapy services are meant to help patients recover from work-related injuries for successful and safe return to work. The hand therapist takes great concern and carefully evaluates each specific injury and creates a focused rehabilitation program with consideration of the patient’s job demands and the particular injury sustained. We also work hand in hand with hand surgeons to follow guidelines after surgery, so that you obtain the best results following hand surgery.

Coordination of Insurance and Rehabilitation Providers

Work injuries also involve a lot of coordination between insurance companies and rehabilitation providers. For this reason, we take a collaborative approach where we discuss with all stakeholders involved in your recovery to ensure you achieve the best outcome.

Job Specific Exercises

Every profession is different and our hand therapy treatment is designed to accommodate the exact needs of your individual profession. When you come in for your consultation we will take into consideration your work environment and tasks in order to personalise your therapy so that you can safely return to work: For example:

• Labourers: In heavy manual work, our focus would be in establishing the hands, wrist, and arm through muscle strengthening for weight lifting or for doing repetitive tasks. This reduces the occurrence of re-injury upon resuming work.
• Office Workers: Patients working in an office setting and on computers are given ergonomic education and exercises to improve their posture, reducing stress to the wrists, hands, and shoulders.
• Tradespeople- Skilled trades include electricians, mechanics, and many others. This may also include skilled trades that require fine motor skills, grip strength, and flexibility of the wrist. We design exercises to improve dexterity and endurance to meet these specific demands.

By incorporating job-specific exercises, we ensure your recovery focuses not only on healing but also safely returning you back to work. 

Common Injuries Treated in Our Hand Therapy Clinic

Work injuries often involve the hands and wrists, and some of the most common conditions we treat in our hand therapy Sydney clinic include:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome: A condition that causes numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand because of pressure on the median nerve. This is common among office workers and labourers who go through repeated movements of the wrist.
• Repetitive strain injuries: These are usually caused by repetitive motions, bad posture, or overuse and thus are common in jobs that include very much typing, lifting, or the use of any tools.
• Fingertip injuries: Fingertip injuries are common in construction, manufacturing, or other hands-on professions; careful treatment is required to regain function and sensation.

Supporting a Safe and Successful Return to Work

Part of our hand therapy service is to help the patient regain confidence in their ability to perform at work without fear of re-injury. In conjunction with Sydney hand surgeons, insurers, and rehabilitation companies, we offer a coordinated, supportive approach that makes your return to work as smooth as possible.

For more information about how we can help you recover from work-related injuries and make a successful return to your job, contact Hand Therapy Experts today.