Crescent City Physical Therapy (CCPT) offers specialized hand therapy services by Certified Hand Therapists for the treatment of upper extremity problems including arthritis, cumulative trauma disorders, traumatic hand injuries, post-surgical rehabilitation, congenital hand problems, sprains, strains and acquired hand deformities. Services are provided by a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) who is a licensed Occupational or Physical Therapist. Through advanced study, we specialize in rehabilitating patients with conditions affecting the hand, elbow and shoulder. A comprehensive rehabilitation program is designed for each individual following a complete evaluation.

The primary goal of the hand therapy treatment program is to maximize function and enable the person to resume work, recreation and self-care activities.

Splints and orthoses may also be an important adjunct to treatment. Splints are fitted to the individual patient and may be an important component of treatment for pre- and pos-surgical care. Splints are either fabricated in our facility or prefabricated and fitted to meet each patient’s needs. The hand therapist may also assist in measuring and ordering silver ring splints for the arthritic patient, providing adaptive equipment, serial casting, measuring, and providing custom fabricated garments and softening and flattening hypertrophic scars. The CHT is also educated and proficient in the management of open and/or sutured wounds. All CCPT hand therapists are ASTYM™ System certified.

CCPT Certified Hand Therapists consult with industry regarding Cumulative Trauma Disorders, Upper Extremity Ergonomics and work-station design, upper extremity disability rehabilitation/evaluation, Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE), and Post-offer Testing (see Industrial Programs).

For additional information regarding our Hand Therapy Program please call Brian Leingang, OTR, CHT:  (504) 885-9675.

Arthritis Physical and occupational therapy is an integral part of the treatment of the over one hundred arthritic conditions that all involve the affliction of one or more joints. This joint involvement, whether localized to a single joint or associated with a systemic disease interferes with the patient's functional ability. The most effective physical and occupational therapy involves the treatment of the effects of the disease in order to enable the patient to function as independently and comfortably as possible. Patients who must undergo surgery due to arthritic joint involvement, whether arthroscopic or for total joint replacement, will also benefit from physical and/or occupational therapy for optimal surgical and functional results.

A thorough physical and/or occupational therapy evaluation starts with a subjective assessment including the duration of the condition, chief complaints and other related symptoms, medication regime, occupational history and previous treatment and/or exercise program followed by a musculoskeletal assessment to evaluate joint range of motion, muscular strength, functional ability, posture, gait and activities of daily living. The therapist will also evaluate the need for assistive devices and splinting.