After your initial consultation with the doctor, you may be scheduled for therapy, further diagnostic testing or conservative treatment i.e. splinting, injection, taping, casting or surgery. Therapy and conservative treatment can be scheduled at any of our clinic locations. Diagnostic testing may be scheduled at a hospital or another specialist’s office.
Occupational Therapy
You may need occupational hand therapy for a variety of reasons. This could mean a one-time visit or a series of treatments over multiple weeks. Frequently, the physician will request an initial evaluation to test your strength, range of motion, dexterity and sensation. Therapy may be ordered before or after surgery for strengthening, desensitization, exercise, active and passive range of motion and other techniques used to facilitate healing. Dry Needling, ultrasound and fluidotherapy may be performed at your request.
Our Certified Hand Therapists
Members of our certified hand therapy team are available to serve you at every Hand to Shoulder Specialists of Wisconsin clinic. Each has earned a bachelor’s or master’s degree in occupational therapy. What’s more, we require each of our therapists to undergo a rigorous process of learning, experience and testing to become a certified hand therapist. To qualify, one must practice as a therapist for at least five years after graduation, and must have 4,000 hours of experience in treating hand and upper extremity patients. In addition, the therapist must take a board exam that’s extremely comprehensive to ensure a high level quality of care.
Insurance
We recommend that you check your insurance coverage for therapy benefits before your appointment. The therapy ordered for you will be provided by an occupational therapist at a Hand to Shoulder Specialists of Wisconsin clinic. All clinics are considered the same for billing purposes and have the same tax identification number. If you have any questions or concerns regarding therapy coverage, please talk with your therapist.
Your Therapy Appointment
When you arrive for your appointment, go directly to the therapy department to check in. You don’t need to check in at the main desk unless you also have an appointment with the doctor. If you arrive early for your appointment, we recommend that you check in upon arrival. If your therapist is available, you may be able to be seen early. If you arrive late for an appointment, you may not be seen at all, depending on the therapist’s schedule. If you need to cancel an appointment, please call the clinic where your therapy is scheduled.