Stevie Wills is a long-term patient of Jennifer Mathias, and we’re delighted to shine a spotlight on her inspiring work and advocacy for disability inclusion.
Stevie is a talented performance poet, public speaker and writer who is passionate about creating more inclusive communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Through her business, Inclusion Vibrancy, she partners with schools to empower young people with the knowledge, understanding and practical skills to build meaningful connections with peers with disabilities.
Drawing on her lived experience with cerebral palsy, Stevie uses storytelling, humour and poetry to challenge barriers and encourage greater empathy, understanding and inclusion.
We’re proud to share Stevie’s story and celebrate the meaningful contribution she continues to make to her community. To learn more about Stevie and her work.
Monica recently had the opportunity to observe upper limb surgery at St Vincent’s Private Hospital under the guidance of Associate Professor Lukas Ernstbrunner, an internationally trained upper and lower limb orthopedic surgeon. During the visit, Monica observed a carpal tunnel release and distal radius plate removal, gaining a valuable insight into the intricate and detailed work involved in these procedures. It was an amazing experience to see these surgeries firsthand and develop a greater understanding of what our patients experience throughout their surgical journey. A big thank you to Associate Professor Ernstbrunner for welcoming Monica into theatre and taking the time to explain the procedures and share his knowledge.
Opportunities to observe surgery are incredibly valuable for hand therapists, as they help bridge the gap between surgical intervention and rehabilitation. Seeing the procedures firsthand provides a deeper understanding of the underlying anatomy, surgical techniques and tissue healing involved. This knowledge helps us better understand our patients’ experiences, anticipate post-operative challenges and tailor rehabilitation to their individual needs. By strengthening our understanding of the surgical process, we can provide more informed patient education, set realistic expectations and deliver targeted, evidence-based hand therapy to support our patients in returning to the activities that matter most to them.
Why Does My Finger Click, Catch or Lock?
Have you ever noticed your finger clicking, catching or becoming stuck when bending or straightening it? These symptoms may be caused by a condition known as trigger finger, also called stenosing tenosynovitis. Trigger finger occurs when a finger’s flexor tendon has difficulty gliding smoothly through the pulley system that helps hold it close to the bone. This can cause pain, clicking or a sensation that the finger is catching during movement.
What Causes Trigger Finger?
Trigger finger develops when the tendon or surrounding sheath becomes irritated and thickened, making it more difficult for the tendon to glide through the A1 pulley at the base of the finger. You may notice tenderness or swelling in the palm, discomfort when gripping objects, or clicking when bending and straightening your finger. In some cases, the finger may become temporarily stuck in a bent position and require assistance from the other hand to straighten. Symptoms are often more noticeable in the morning or after periods of inactivity.
How Can Hand Therapy Help?
Hand therapy can help manage trigger finger symptoms and improve comfortable movement. Treatment is tailored to the severity of your symptoms and may include activity modification to reduce aggravating gripping activities, gentle range-of-motion exercises and a custom-made splint to limit tendon irritation. Your hand therapist may also provide advice on managing symptoms during everyday activities and monitor your progress. If symptoms persist or the finger frequently locks, further medical management may be appropriate. This may include a corticosteroid injection or, in more persistent cases, surgery to release the affected pulley.
When Should You Seek Help?
If your finger is regularly clicking, catching, painful or becoming stuck, an assessment can help determine the cause and appropriate treatment. Early management may help reduce discomfort and prevent symptoms from interfering with everyday tasks such as writing, cooking, dressing and gripping objects.
At Melbourne Hand Therapy, we can assess your symptoms and develop an individualised treatment plan to help you regain comfortable finger movement and return to the activities that matter to you.
This month we’re very excited to recognise Haille Willis as our Member of the Month!
Haille has really been shining lately. She brings so much enthusiasm, initiative and positive energy to the team, and is always willing to help, get involved and take on more.
She has done a fantastic job taking ownership of our social media, creating and filming content and helping grow our following and engagement. She is also a great support to our therapists, helping with things like filming content, presentation videos, organising resources and jumping in when someone needs a hand.
What really stands out is how proactive and engaged Haille is. She is organised, eager to learn and always looking for ways she can contribute more and make things easier for the team.
We’re so lucky to have Haille as part of MHT and are really pleased to recognise how much she is contributing across the business.
Congratulations, Haille! 💙
Have you experienced exceptional care or teamwork from someone at MHT? We’d love to hear about it.
Help us celebrate those who go above and beyond.
