Our
Practice

Hunter Hand Rehab opened in 2013 and specialises in the management of hand and upper limb injuries and conditions. After 10 years of being located in Charlestown we moved to Adamstown in December 2023. Our new premises in Adamstown has been custom designed and equipped to provide the highest quality service.

We aim to maximise our patients hand and upper limb function by providing high quality assessment and rehabilitation following an injury or chronic hand and upper limb condition.

Our highly trained staff include occupational therapists and physiotherapists. We will provide a thorough assessment and treatment program designed to manage the symptoms you have such as pain, swelling, stiffness, weakness, numbness and loss of hand function.

 

We are co-located with Hunter Hand Surgery for patients who require further specialist care. We work closely with Hand, Plastic and Orthopaedic surgeons, GP’s, radiologists, rheumatologists and other allied health professionals. We regularly liaise with insurance companies, employers and return to work consultants to achieve the best possible outcomes for our patients.

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FAQ’S

+ What is Hand Therapy?

“Hand therapy is the art and science of rehabilitation of the upper limb, which includes the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder girdle. It is a merging of occupational and physical therapy theory and practice that combines comprehensive knowledge of the structure of the upper limb with function and activity. Using specialised skills in assessment, planning and treatment, hand therapists provide therapeutic interventions to prevent dysfunction, restore function and/or reverse the progression of pathology of the upper limb in order to enhance an individual’s ability to execute tasks and to participate fully in life situations”

Hand Therapy Certification Commission, 2009

+ Who is a Practitioner of Hand Therapy?

“Registered Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists who, through further education, clinical experience and independent study have become proficient in the treatment of upper limb conditions resulting from injury, disease or deformity”.

Australian Hand Therapy Association

+ Who is an Accredited Hand Therapist?

“An Accredited Hand Therapist has demonstrated, to the Australian Hand Therapy Association, a high standard of competence in hand therapy. This practitioner has undertaken further study, a minimum of 3600 hours clinical experience in hand therapy, has completed a 12-month mentorship program within a five-year time-frame and must demonstrate continuous professional development”.

Australian Hand Therapy Association

+ Who is a Certified Hand Therapist?

A Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) is an occupational therapist or physical therapist who has a minimum of five years of clinical experience, including 4,000 hours or more in direct practice in hand therapy. In addition, the Certified Hand Therapist has successfully passed a comprehensive test of advanced clinical skills and theory in upper quarter rehabilitation. Because of changes in the profession, every CHT is required to demonstrate continued professional development and competency by recertifying every five years.

Hand Therapy Certification Commission

Common Conditions

Common upper limb conditions, injuries and surgeries we treat include:

Common Injuries/Conditions

  • Fractures of the elbow, forearm, wrist and hand

  • Joint dislocations and sprains

  • Arthritis

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome and other nerve compressions

  • Dupuytren’s contracture

  • Mallet finger

  • Dequervain’s disease

  • Tennis/Golfer’s elbow

  • Overuse injuries

  • Tendonitis

  • Wrist pain

  • Trigger finger

  • Burns and scars

  • Sporting injuries

  • Work Injuries

  • Neurological conditions

 

Common Surgeries

  • Fracture fixation

  • Wounds & complex surgical repairs

  • Post-operative trauma

  • Amputations & replantations

  • Tendon & Nerve repairs

  • Ligament repairs

  • Synovectomy

  • Tenolysis

  • Skin grafts / flaps

  • Arthodesis (joint fusion)

  • Arthroplasty (joint replacement)

Hand Therapy Services & Treatments

Click on the title for more details.

+ Hand Therapy Services

Hand therapy services provided at Hunter Hand Rehab include:

  • Thorough assessment, diagnosis and treatment of the hand, wrist and arm
  • Custom made static and dynamic splints using various materials: Thermoplastic, Neoprene, Leather, Lycra, Fabrifoam. We also stock a range of off the shelf splints.
  • Silver ring splints
  • Synthetic (waterproof) and Plaster of Paris casting
  • Telehealth
  • Post surgical care
  • Return to Work/Sport Programs
  • Arthritis Management Programs
  • Pain Management Programs
  • Home Exercise Programs

+ Hand Therapy Treatments

Hand therapy treatments provided at Hunter Hand Rehab include:

  • Wound management and dressings
  • Scar management
  • Oedema/swelling management
  • Hot and cold therapies; including wax bath
  • Soft tissue massage and trigger point release
  • Passive stretching
  • Desensitisation and sensory re-education
  • Graded ROM/exercise programs
  • Joint and neural mobilisations
  • Serial casting for joint contractions
  • Proprioception exercises
  • Strength and conditioning exercises
  • Graded motor imagery
  • Sports taping and bracing including Kinesiotaping
  • Joint protection, workplace simplification and ergonomic modification and education
  • Postural correction
  • Functional retraining
  • Dry needling
  • InterX (rental available)
  • Ultrasound

Hunter Hand Rehab Team

Get to know the team at Hunter Hand Rehab. Click on the staff profiles for more.

Featured
Dion Sandoz
Dion Sandoz

Director and Principal Occupational Therapist | Accredited Hand Therapist (AHTA) | Certified Hand Therapist (USA)

Sheree Ashton
Sheree Ashton

Occupational Therapist | Accredited Hand Therapist (AHTA) | Certified Hand Therapist (USA)

Rosalie Bell
Rosalie Bell

Occupational Therapist | Practitioner of Hand Therapy

Renee Lim
Renee Lim

Occupational Therapist | Accredited Hand Therapist (AHTA) | Certified Hand Therapist (USA)

Cameron Rae
Cameron Rae

Occupational Therapist | Practitioner of Hand Therapy

Jebb Lane
Jebb Lane

Occupational Therapist | Accredited Hand Therapist (AHTA)

Julia Gannon
Julia Gannon

Occupational Therapist | Practitioner of Hand Therapy

Suanne Conlan
Suanne Conlan

Practice Manager

Kassie Hunter
Kassie Hunter

Receptionist