Hand Rehabilitation experts in san antonio
Our Team of Specialists are Both Hand Certified Therapists & Occupational Therapist that Specialize in Rehabilitating hands, elbow, shoulder, and more!
What is a certified Hand Therapist and why is it important?
A Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) is an occupational therapist or physical therapist who has a minimum of five years of clinical experience, including 4,000 hours or more in direct practice in hand therapy. In addition, the Certified Hand Therapist has successfully passed a comprehensive test of advanced clinical skills and theory in upper quarter rehabilitation. Because of changes in the profession, every CHT is required to demonstrate continued professional development and competency by recertifying every five years. (from www.HTCC.org)
Our Certified Hand Therapists, referred to as CHTs, specialize in treating hand and upper extremity conditions. They work closely with our orthopaedic and general surgeons who also specialize in the hand to ensure maximal outcomes for patients.
Direct access to your surgeon.
Our team works together, and they work just down the hall with one another. Our patients love that during a session if something occurs, it’s just a walk down the hall to their surgeon.
Extensive Training.
CHTs accumulate at least 4,000 hours of treatment for hand and upper extremity disorders. Certified hand therapists must also pass a rigorous certification exam to demonstrate their competency in practice.
Years of Specialized Experience.
Our team of CHTs works with hand, wrist, elbow, or shoulder injuries EVERY DAY.
WHy our patients do their rehabilitation with us
What is our philosophy?
Our goal is to work with you and your surgeon to develop a treatment plan that works for you. Whether we’re helping you to recover from an injury that you and your physician are treating non-operatively or working with you to regain functional motion after your surgical procedure, we will be with you every step of the way. Being located in the same office space allows us to have a direct line of communication with your surgeon so that we can more easily clarify questions, offer suggestions or express concerns if they arise. In short, it helps to make the continuity of care more seamless. If for some reason you are unable to travel to see us, we are always available to discuss your rehabilitation with a therapist closer to you. Regardless of the situation, we are committed to helping you achieve the best possible outcome.
What Can A Hand Therapist Do For Me?
Hand therapists bridge the gap from medical management of upper extremity conditions to successful recovery, allowing individuals to function normally in their daily lives. Hand therapists provide non-operative interventions, preventative care, and post-surgical rehabilitation for various upper extremity disorders, from simple fingertip injuries to complex replanted extremities. Patients with chronic conditions, such as arthritis, or neurologic conditions, such as a stroke, can benefit from therapy through education on joint protection and energy conservation and with recommendations for adaptive equipment or devices to improve function. A hand therapist employs various techniques and tools, including activity and exercise programs, custom orthotic fabrication, management of pain and swelling, and wound and scar care. A hand therapist can also be a consultant in the industrial world, training employees in healthy work habits.
what is hand therapy?
Hand therapy is the art and science of rehabilitation of the upper limb, which includes the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder girdle. It is a merging of occupational and physical therapy theory and practice that combines comprehensive knowledge of the structure of the upper limb with function and activity. Using specialized skills in assessment, planning and treatment, hand therapists provide therapeutic interventions to prevent dysfunction, restore function and/or reverse the progression of pathology of the upper limb in order to enhance an individual’s ability to execute tasks and to participate fully in life situations. (from www.HTCC.org)
Common injuries we see & rehabilitate
Hand & Wrist
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Trigger Finger/Thumb Treatment
DeQuervain’s Tendinitis
Dupuytren’s Disease
Flexor Tendon Laceration
Wrist Ganglion Cyst
Thumb Arthritis
Distal Radius Fractures
Wrist Fractures
Elbow
Elbow Pain
Elbow Arthritis
Elbow Fractures
Elbow Dislocations
Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
Elbow Tendinitis
Elbow Stiffness
Distal Biceps Tendon Ruptures
Heterotopic Ossification
Shoulder
Shoulder Pain
Arthritis
Fractures
Dislocations
Shoulder Replacement
Instability
Rotator Cuff Tears
Labrum Tears
SLAP Lesions
Biceps Tendinitis
meet our team
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Gerardo Huerta, Certified Hand Therapist
Gerardo Huerta was born and raised in San Antonio, TX. He graduated from Colorado State University in 1999 with a bachelors of science in Occupational Therapy and a minor in Spanish. He has been an Occupational Therapist for 19 years and a Certified Hand Therapist since 2006. He is very active in the local "hand therapy" community and has served as a guest lecturer for the Occupational Therapy School here at UTHSCA for the past 4 years.
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Abel Cavazos, Certified Hand Therapist
Abel Cavazos was born in Corpus Christi, TX. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from The University of Texas Health Science Center-San Antonio and has been a licensed therapist for 20 years. Abel is a registered OTR with the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT) and has been a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) since 2005. He is also a member of the American Society of Hand Therapists.
check out our latest blog posts regarding hand therapy
