Mallet Fingers

  Mallet Fingers: why do we spend so much time treating this injury? Without proper treatment the injury can not heal properly The fingertip or distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) will not be able to straighten An untreated mallet injury can cause long term changes to the finger – Swan Neck Deformity (SND) SND can be […]

Flexor Tendon Injuries in Children – Hannah Munro

Flexor tendon injuries are relatively uncommon in children, especially those who are very young. The mechanism of injury, the size of the anatomical structures, the surgical procedures used to repair them and the therapy protocols used post operatively all vary greatly depending on the age of the child. Limited knowledge exists as to which surgical […]

Handwriting Assessment in School Aged Children – By Hannah Munro

Handwriting is a complex, multifactorial activity involving the interplay between the student, their environment and the demands of the writing task itself. Writing is a medium through which we can communicate and express our creativity therefore a breakdown in any one of these factors can cause difficulties for the student. There are a number of […]

Casting the scaphoid fracture – looking at the research.

Scaphoid fractures are common, accounting for at least 75% carpal fractures (Rhemrev et al., 2011, Alshryda et al., 2012), and usually occur as a consequence of a fall onto an outstretched hand. So scaphoid fractures are frequently seen, can be difficult to diagnose, and may not heal despite management. Rhemrev et al., (2011) reports the […]

Wrist Sprain Rehabilitation – Focus on Proprioception

  The wrist is an incredibly complex and inherently unstable joint whose main functions are: Movement Positioning the hand for function Positioning to make the most of muscle function. Therefore the sense of proprioception is extremely important in a normal pain free wrist and something that needs to be appropriately rehabilitated after injury. Proprioception – […]

Paediatric Hand Fractures

MANAGEMENT OF PAEDIATRIC HAND FRACTURES The composition and biomechanical properties of paediatric bone differs to that of an adult, therefore resulting in different fracture patterns, healing processes and overall management. Paediatric bone is less dense, has a lower mineral content and is more elastic giving it a greater tolerance to bending forces than adult bone. […]

De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis Survey Results

Results of a prospective study of de Quervain’s Tenosynovitis completed at Bondi Junction Hand Therapy Hand therapy plays an important role in the recovery form de Quervain’s. At Bondi Junction Hand Therapy (BJHT) we see a lot of patients with de Quervain’s and at the start of 2014 we began a prospective study to collect […]

Skier’s Thumb

A Skier’s thumb refers to an injury to the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) at the MCP joint of the thumb.  It may occur when a skier falls while holding their poles or in rugby sports.  Essentially, trauma involving an end-on or abduction injury to the thumb.  It causes significant acute swelling, pain and untreated, long-term […]

Median Nerve Compression in the Upper Limb

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) The most common nerve compression is the median nerve as it passes through the carpal tunnel, ‘Carpal Tunnel Syndrome’ (the carpal tunnel is the space formed by the carpal bones and the transverse carpal ligament, and carries the flexor tendons and median nerve from the forearm into the hand) CTS is […]