Jennifer Mathias
MHT Director
Senior Clinician
Hi Everyone,
As we settle into the colder Melbourne winter, we’re seeing a seasonal rise in injuries—particularly from skiing and the ongoing football season. Our team is staying busy, both in clinic and through continued professional development.
Max recently attended a one-day course focused on wrist rehabilitation, and Emmeline is leading an in-house training session to share and build on this knowledge. I’ve also had the opportunity to visit the team at Victoria Rehabilitation Centre to provide education to their occupational therapists on all things related to hand therapy.
For the past few years, we’ve proudly supported VRC with a dedicated splinting service for their inpatients requiring hand therapy, and we’re pleased to continue offering this important collaboration.
Stay warm and take care,
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis is an inflammatory condition affecting the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist. It occurs when the tendons that control thumb and wrist movement become inflamed and constricted by their surrounding sheaths.
This inflammation can lead to
This condition is often caused by repetitive thumb and wrist movements and is more prevalent in individuals aged 30-50, especially those with occupations or hobbies involving such motions. Parents with young children are another group commonly affected by deQuervains.
When assessing for deQuervains your hand therapist will discuss your medical and occupational history, and carry out a physical assessment of your wrist and hand. The physical examination will include palpating over the wrist to assess for pain when pressure is applied to the tendons. Another test called the Finkelstein test can also help with diagnosing deQuervains.
Treatment Options:
If you experience symptoms of De Quervain’s, contact our rooms for a thorough examination and to receive an appropriate treatment plan.
We’re excited to share that our practice was recently featured in an article published by Compass, a trusted informational and online resource for senior living and wellness.
The article explored the importance of hand therapy for the aging population. As people age, changes in strength, mobility, sensation, and coordination can significantly affect their independence and quality of life. That’s where hand therapy can make a real difference.
In the interview, senior hand therapist Emmeline had the opportunity to discuss how tailored hand therapy programs help older adults maintain or regain essential hand function. Whether it’s arthritis, post-surgical recovery, or age-related changes, our approach focuses on improving strength, flexibility, and daily function through evidence-based care.
Some key points shared in the article included:
You can find a copy of this article on the Compass website.
Emmeline has been asked to be the guest speaker for the July Q&A session hosted by Compass. You can register for this session at their website.
Bundoora based therapist Max, recently attended a course on the assessment and management of wrist injuries. This specialized training helped deepen his understanding of wrist anatomy, biomechanics, and the latest evidence-based practices in wrist rehabilitation.
The course, covered topics including
Of note, this course highlighted the importance of a thorough assessment of the wrist including obtaining a clear history of symptoms and hands on clinical testing. The use of x-rays and MRI scans to help with diagnosing was also covered.
Treatment strategies included the use of wrist straps or tape to help stabilise the wrist.
Strengthening and stability exercises play a big role in wrist rehabilitation. Targeting specific muscles with light weight helps to create strength and protect the wrist joints.
Exercises that are designed to create stability for the wrist target the mechanoreceptors within the wrist ligaments. By stimulating these mechanoreceptors, muscle reaction time is sped up and the wrist becomes more supported and stable.
Each wrist rehabilitates differently and therefore needs a customized plan. If you have a wrist injury, contact our rooms to arrange an assessment.
We bid farewell to our much loved hand therapist Alison, who is returning to her homeland of Ireland. Alison has been a valued member of staff for the past two years, and she will be sorely missed by both patients and staff alike. Good luck Alison.
