If you sustain a hand injury, it can impact your ability to perform your activities of daily living and prevent you from doing your job. Whether your injury involved a minor soft tissue injury or severely damaged bones, muscles, or tendons, your recovery may involve surgical intervention and other specialized treatments. Occupational health services play an important role in hand injury recovery because it helps people regain proper hand function so that they can resume their normal activities, including performing their job duties. Here are some ways occupational health services can promote the healing process so that you can have a speedier and more complete recovery.

Comprehensive Evaluation And Treatment

After your hand injury, you will need to seek medical care. After your condition has stabilized, your doctor may refer you to an occupational therapist. They can further evaluate your hand injury and develop a customized treatment plan to address your individual needs. 

During your occupational therapy evaluation, the therapist will consider a number of factors before creating your treatment plan. These may include the type and extent of your hand injury, your general state of health, and your occupational requirements. Treatment interventions may include hand splinting, pain management interventions, wound care, and physical therapy. 

Not only will your occupational health services professional develop a treatment plan to promote optimal hand function and overall recovery, but they will also focus on enhancing your ability to perform your job safely and comfortably once you return to work.

Occupational Rehab And Workplace Considerations

Your occupational health services treatment plan may include individualized therapy treatments that focus on enhancing your hand strength, flexibility, and coordination. During your rehab sessions, you may perform special exercises that promote grip strength, finger range of motion, and pain reduction. 

Your occupational therapist may also talk to your employer about ways to accommodate your hand injury when you return to work. These accommodations may include modifying certain work tasks to help make your job easier and safer and if possible, modifying equipment that you operate to help prevent further damage to your hand. It is important to note that your employer may request input from your primary care physician before implementing changes in your job duties or work environment. 

If you sustain a hand injury, talk to your physician about participating in an occupational health services program. With individualized treatment plans and comprehensive evaluations, your occupational therapy team can help you regain optimal hand function, enhance your well-being, and help make sure that you enjoy a comfortable transition when you return to work. 

Contact a clinic like QUICKmed Urgent Care to learn more.