Hand therapy

Our hand therapy team comprises occupational therapists and physiotherapists who specialise in treating people with conditions and injuries affecting the hand and wrist. Our main role is to provide outpatient care for adult and children, but we also provide an inpatient service as part of the London major trauma network.

Our hand therapy team only accepts referrals from the Trust’s plastic surgery, trauma and orthopaedics and rheumatology teams. This means that if you want to refer a patient to hand therapy you will have to refer to one of these specialities. We work closely alongside our medical and nursing colleagues to ensure you receive the right care at the right time.

Conditions and treatments

Conditions we treat

Acute wrist and hand trauma such as

• Fractures
• Nerve and tendons injuries
• Joint sprains and strain

Musculoskeletal conditions such as

• Arthritis
• Dupuytren’s disease
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Tenosynovitis
• Trigger finger

Find out more information about common wrist and hand conditions 

Treatments we offer

After an initial assessment, we will agree on a treatment plan and objectives with you. Treatment will include education about your injury and your expected recovery. A variety of treatment modalities may be used during your session including, but not limited to, exercises, activities, manual techniques, physical agent modalities, orthosis/splint fabrication, sensory re-education, desensitisation, oedema management, wound care, scar management and recommendation of assistive devices.

Additional information

Clinical trials and research 

The team leads and participates in clinical research. Our studies investigate how best to assess and treat our patients to improve care and patient outcomes after injury or surgery.

Current projects

Co-design and evaluation of a hand therapist delivered fracture clinic; improving patient experience and outcome (April 23 – September 24)
Kennedy D, Fournier K (This work is supported by Imperial Health Charity).

Developing consensus-based competencies for advanced clinical practice (ACP) hand therapists providing first line assessment and management of closed hand fractures in the United Kingdom (UK) (May 23- May 24)
Fournier K, Kennedy D, Li, L; Lawton, G. (This work is supported by the British Association of Hand Therapists).

Further online resources

• NHS Choices: occupational therapy
• NHS Choices: accessing occupational therapy
• British Association of Hand Therapists 
• What is Hand Therapy - The British Association of Hand Therapists
• British Association of Occupational Therapists
• Chartered Society of Physiotherapists
• Thumb osteoarthritis exercises and advice