Hand therapy

The hand therapy team consists of physiotherapists and occupational therapists specialising in trauma, elective and direct referrals for hand injuries and conditions.

Patients may be referred following trauma or elective hand surgery including:

• Fractures
• Tendon repairs/transfers
• Nerve repairs
• Replantations
• Dupuytrens
• Joint replacements
• Joint fusions
• Skin grafts and flaps
• Soft tissue injuries
• Paediatric congenital abnormalities

Patients may also be referred with degenerative conditions, or those not requiring surgery:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Tendonitis/tenosynovitis
• Pain
• Ligament injuries
• Nerve compression

We provide a comprehensive assessment and use a variety of different methods to gain the best possible outcome for our patients. Treatment may include home exercise programmes, oedema and scar management as well as dynamic or static splinting regimes.

For the convenience of our patients, we also offer weekly outreach clinics at Darent Valley Hospital.

Why choose us?

Patient satisfaction

We pride ourselves on the quality and individual level of care we provide for every patient. To ensure we are maintaining these high standards, we complete patient satisfaction surveys every year.

Some comments from patients include:

“I cannot praise the Queen Victoria team enough and your therapy input, support and instruction was invaluable in assisting my recovery.”

“The service has been excellent from start to finish. I am hugely impressed by the quality of care, staffs caring attitude and professionalism. I will go away with very positive memories of my experience here.”

Clinical effectiveness

We are members of the British Association of Hand Therapists. The hand therapy team regularly undertakes audit and research within the department to ensure our practice is evidence based and of the highest standard.

The Quick Dash is used as our outcome measure for both elective and trauma patients. Our results for last year show that our patients significantly improved in all areas of function, and pain. Our scores are lower than the average indicating effective treatment and excellent outcomes for patients.

Among other audits, we also carry out a rolling audit looking into the outcomes of our flexor tendon injuries. Our outcomes show that we have a low rupture rate and that 92% of patients returned to full function.

How to contact us: Our service runs Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm. Our reception/appointments line is 01342 414004. If you require any further information please contact our office on 01342 414072 or email qvh.handtherapy@nhs.net

We accept referrals from our own consultants as well as consultants at other hospitals and from GPs nationwide. If you think you would benefit from our services, please ask one of them to refer to us. If you are a therapist wishing to refer a patient, please ask their GP to make the referral. If the care care is urgent please call us to discuss it as we may be able to accept it sooner.

Video advice following Fasciectomy and Dermofasciectomy surgery

Page last updated: 10 January 2024