Team Highlights

Team Highlights
and New Beginnings

Mid-Year Update from Melbourne Hand Therapy (MHT)

We’re halfway through the year, and what a journey it has been! This month, we have several exciting updates and milestones to share with our Melbourne Hand Therapy (MHT) community.

Welcoming our new therapists

Catriona Anderson

We welcome Catriona Anderson to our team. Catriona has worked in the hand therapy sector since 1997. She has worked both privately and publicly throughout this time. She is currently sharing her time with MHT and St. Vincent’s Public Hospital. We are so lucky to have her as she is so highly regarded in her profession. She is a very collaborative and compassionate OT driven to help patients improve their movement and manage progression of recovery after injuries and surgery. She holds a vast depth of knowledge with a strong interest in research, treatment applications and splinting advances. Cat has formalised her education with a post graduate certificate in Hand and Upper Limb Rehabilitation. You will find Catriona at our Box Hill and Bundoora rooms.

Rumeysa Goktekin is joining us all the way from Amsterdam. We have very patiently awaited her arrival for over six months as we are confident that her experience is going to be an asset to our practice. Rumeysa has specialised in hand therapy for the previous 4 years. She has worked closely with Hand Surgeon and GP’s. She has superior communication skills and an in-depth understanding of anatomy which she shares with the junior colleagues and interns that she has trained. Rumeysa will be working at our Bundoora rooms and East Melbourne.

Max Minuzzo

Max Minuzzo is finally joining us. He has come highly recommended by one of our senior Managers who had the privilege of working with him for 12 months. Max has done a Masters degree in OT and also a Bachelor degree in Sport and Exercise Science. He has recently being employed at Northern Health in a sub-acute role and is currently furthering his studies by completing a Hand Therapy Fellowship. Max will be working at Blackburn and our East Ringwood rooms.

Patient Spotlight Sharyn

It was a pretty monumental month for long time patient of Sharyn and her treating therapist Alison, having reached her goal of being able to write her name for the first time in 7 years! Here she is pictured signing her name at her latest session. 
 
Sharyn has been receiving regular hand therapy for a number of years, so to say this was a massive achievement for her and her team is an understatement!  Sharyn became quadriplegic 7 years ago and has been diligently working towards this goal since then.
 
To achieve this goal, Alison and Sharyn have been working together on improving her strength and movement with her dominant hand but have also looked towards assistive technology solutions. After looking at a number of different options, eventually it was decided that a custom 3D printed device was the way to go. Sharyn’s writing tool was modelled on a computer mouse with a few specific adaptations for holding a pen or pencil. And of course, the device was designed in Sharyn’s trademark colour – purple!
 
It took a bit of setting up, and a lot of research and planning, but as soon as it was put into Sharyn’s hand it was amazing to see her sign her name and leave her mark.
 
“I always look forward to my sessions with Sharyn”, says Alison “Sharyn has a great sense of humour so we always end up having a bit of a laugh together no matter what’s going on, and she always has a great new song or TV show recommendation! I definitely always come away with a good education from Sharyn!” 
 
Sharyn’s determination and resilience is a real inspiration to us at MHT and I’m sure to our newsletter readers and  testament to what can be achieved with a collaborative team and creative problem solving.
 
What’s next for Sharyn? Well, now that the door has swung open to new possibilities, she’s keen to get back into creating artwork so watch this space!

Clinical Article

Ruptured Distal Bicep

Unfortunately, this is far too close to home for me…..my husband sustained this injury last week playing basketball.
A ruptured distal bicep is a significant injury that occurs when the tendon connecting the bicep muscle to the elbow is torn. This type of injury can lead to pain, weakness, and limited arm function, making everyday activities challenging. Like my husband, the injury can occur when the elbow, in slight flexion is forced against resistance. 

A ruptured distal bicep often presents with:

  • Sudden, sharp pain: At the front of the elbow.
  • Popping sound: Some people hear a “pop” at the time of injury.
  • Bruising and swelling: Around the elbow and forearm.
  • Weakness: Particularly in twisting motions like turning a doorknob or screwdriver.
  • Bulge in the upper arm: The bicep muscle may retract toward the shoulder, creating a noticeable bulge.

Treatment Overview:

Treatment is commonly surgery. This is where we are heading on Thursday! Surgically, the tendon gets re-attached to the bone. Commonly with is with a pull through suture holding it in place. There is restriction of activity following. Basically, most surgeon’s limit the patient for the first 3 months of recovery, with no heavy weights for 6 months. Competitive sports is not advised for the first 6 months following surgery. As much as I love my patients, it is really going to test my patience living with one!!

WHAT Our PATIENTS ARE SAYING

Adam
Dom has been very helpful. Knowledgable and encouraging. Highly recommended!
5 Star

Saskia
Wonderful, friendly and patient staff. I am very happy to be attending this clinic.
5 Star

eWhizz
Robin is kind and knowledgable about all things relating to my recent hand treatment. Her patience with her patients is amazing. Highly recommended.
5 Star

Google Rating
4.9
Based on 325 reviews
×
js_loader