Flourish Recovery & Wellness

Why a Certified Hand Therapist is Key to Functional Recovery

Hand injuries can range from minor cuts and bruises to complex lacerations that damage tendons, nerves, or other critical structures. Among the most intricate are injuries that require tendon repair. These injuries are not only physically painful but can significantly disrupt your ability to perform everyday activities, from holding a coffee cup to typing or buttoning a shirt.

The rehab process is highly nuanced, allowing for tissues to build strength while preventing excessive formation of scar tissue. Re-establishing friction-free gliding of the repaired structures allows for restoration of functional hand use, but the timing of movement requires a deep understanding of the stages of healing.

Understanding Complex Hand Injuries
A tendon laceration occurs when the tendon, the tissue connecting muscles to bones, is cut or damaged. Tendons are essential for movement and fine motor control, so even a small injury can have a big impact. A little scar tissue goes a long way in a small space. Surgery to repair tendons is delicate, and recovery is often a long process requiring careful management to avoid stiffness, loss of motion, or re-injury. Repaired tendons can easily re-rupture in the early weeks without appropriate precautions.

The Role of a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT)
This is where a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) becomes invaluable. CHTs are occupational therapists with specialized training in hand and upper extremity rehabilitation. They work with your hand surgeon to design individualized post-operative programs that are tailored to your specific injury, surgery, and lifestyle, helping you regain function safely and effectively.

Nuances of Post-Operative Rehab
Post-surgery rehabilitation is carefully monitored. Tendon repairs must balance protection with early controlled motion to optimize healing. We don’t want to do too much or too little–we find the “just right” balance for remobilizing. A CHT ensures that your recovery progresses safely, targeting functional outcomes while minimizing complications.

Key elements include:

• Protecting the repair while promoting mobility: Tendon repairs require rest to allow the tissue to regain tensile strength. However, complete immobilization can lead to joint stiffness and functional limitations. CHTs carefully time early gentle movements to maintain joint mobility without stressing the tendon. Follow through with the home program is essential to keep tissues gliding, frequently during the course of the day, but for short duration sessions.
• Gradual progression: Early phases involve avoiding active hand use that could strain the repair. As healing progresses, controlled exercises are introduced to gradually improve strength, range of motion, and coordination. This stepwise approach helps prevent tendon attenuation (weakening) or re-rupture, setting you up for additional surgery. Your CHT understands when and how to guide this progression over a number of week’s time. Slow and steady.
• Preventing adhesions and inflammation: Too much movement or aggressive therapy too early can provoke inflammation, leading to scar tissue or adhesions that restrict motion. A CHT monitors swelling, pain, and tendon glide to optimize tendon healing while reducing the risk of long-term stiffness. You may be asked to revert to an earlier set of exercises if you develop swelling after an advancement.
• Rest as an active strategy: Rest is not passive. Allowing appropriate rest periods gives the tendon fibers time to align and strengthen under minimal stress, forming a solid repair that supports functional use. Again, working on your home exercises is key.
• Functional goal integration: Rehabilitation is designed around meaningful daily activities, like cooking, dressing, or returning to sports or work. Therapy exercises mimic real-life tasks once the tendon is strong enough, helping patients regain confidence and independence.

Functional Recovery is More Than Healing
Surgery repairs the tendon, but regaining full function requires thoughtful rehabilitation and patience. Patients who follow a structured program with a CHT are more likely to achieve optimal outcomes, regain strength, prevent stiffness, and return to their daily routines safely.

Final Thoughts
Complex hand injuries are challenging, but a Certified Hand Therapist ensures that recovery is guided, safe, and tailored to your needs. Balancing rest, controlled motion, and gradual progression is critical to building tendon strength without triggering inflammation or adhesions.

If you or a loved one is facing tendon repair surgery, early referral to a Certified Hand Therapist can make all the difference in achieving long-term functional independence. If you need a CHT in Evanston, IL, contact me via my website. Click the link below.