Please note that for any urgent or life-threatening conditions, we always recommend that you should call 999 or go to your nearest emergency department immediately. We are usually able to provide face to face or remote appointments with our GP’s within 24 hours. Please contact 01442 331 900 to book an appointment.
A specialist branch of physiotherapy dedicated to the rehabilitation of patients with conditions affecting the hands and upper limbs
Hand Therapy at OSD Healthcare provides individualised, one on one treatment, for people who are experiencing problems with their hands and/or wrists.
Your issue may be new, long standing, include single or multiple areas, you may have had surgery or are trying to avoid the need for surgery. We recognise that hand and wrist injuries are often complex and that is why we have a dedicated service providing specialist care to help achieve the best possible outcomes.
Our Specialist Hand Therapist will take time to understand the history and background of your hand and/or wrist disorder or injury, including how it is affecting you in all aspects of your life and what your goals of treatment are. They will also ask about your medical history and what medication you are taking.
Once they have completed this subjective assessment, they will then work through a physical examination with you. This will vary depending on your issue, but the aim will be to assess your physical ability which may include using a range of specific clinical and functional based tests, assessing your movement, power and sensation and evaluating the muscles, tendons, ligaments, joint movement and nerves.
By the end of the assessment, our Specialist Hand Therapist will devise an individual treatment programme, based upon your treatment goals and your condition. Please note this may take more than one session and is dependent on factors such as the complexity of the issue. Your treatment programme will evolve with time, depending on how you respond to treatment, any change in goals and changes with your condition.
Your hand therapist may utilize treatments from the list below:
You do not need a referral if you are going to be self-funding for your appointments. It is helpful if you have any relevant medical information such as consultant letters, that you bring them with you to the appointment.
Some private medical insurance policies will cover hand therapy and we would advise that you contact your PMI company to ask them and to clarify the process as you may need a referral from a GP or Consultant.
We work closely with the Upper Limb Orthopaedic and Rheumatology Consultants who work at OSD Healthcare and also have strong links with Upper Limb Orthopaedic and Rheumatology Consultants who work elsewhere. We are always happy to receive a referral directly from them.
Initial appointment: £90.
Follow-up appointment: £50 (30 mins) or £70 (45 mins).
You will be treated by Nicola Read, Specialist Hand Therapist.
Nicola has spent the last 7 years working in hand therapy, managing all variety of conditions, ranging from chronic conditions to acute and post operative management.
Nicola’s assessment and treatment revolve around each person and what their expectations and goals are.
Bring with you any medical letters and investigations results that you may have relating to the reason for your appointment.
If you are taking prescribed medication, continue with this and do not alter your schedule or avoid taking analgesia/painkillers prior to attending the appointment, this will not help us to assess you better.
Make sure that you are hydrated and have eaten, particularly if you have other medical conditions such as diabetes.
If you have private medical insurance you will need to liaise with them in advance of the appointment if you wish to submit a claim.
Please do not attend an appointment if you are unwell or have tested positive with COVID-19.
During your initial appointment you will have an opportunity to discuss with your Hand Therapist what the treatment plan will be, including if further appointments may be beneficial and when to book them.
You may receive an email containing a link to your prescribed exercises. If you have been told you will receive this and are unable to locate it, please check your junk mailbox first and then call us if you still are unable to find it.
Where other medical professionals are involved in your care, we may, with your permission, keep them informed of your progress.
If you have any further questions, or wish to make an appointment, please feel free to complete an Enquiry Form here.
You can be confident that Hand Therapy is safe.
You will be assessed and receive treatment from a qualified Chartered Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist who is well experienced and knowledgeable at managing hand, wrist and elbow injuries and conditions. We will take the time to understand how your symptoms are affecting you, any other medical history and if we have any doubt or need clarification on any symptoms or issues we will ensure that we discuss these with the appropriate medical practitioner and adopt a multi-disciplinary approach.
Our facilities are spacious with full disabled access and we have equipment that will aid your treatment such as the ability to make custom thermoplastic splints, a K-laser (class IV laser) which helps with inflammation and pain and Shockwave/ESWT machine that can be used with chronic tendon issues.
Yes, a friend or family member may attend the appointment with you.
