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We welcome our latest guest blog contributor, Karen Fitt, Clinical Director at Melbourne Hand Rehab.
Have you ever wondered what hand therapy actually does, or whether you might need it? It’s a specialised field that many people don’t discover until they’re dealing with pain, injury, or post-surgical recovery.
What Is a Hand Therapist?
Hand therapists are fully qualified physiotherapists or occupational therapists who have completed extensive additional training in diagnosing and treating injuries and conditions of the hand and arm.
Through further education, hands-on clinical experience, and ongoing professional development, they develop highly specialised expertise in this one incredibly complex area of the body.
And the hand is complex. It’s made up of multiple bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, nerves and muscles that all need to work together seamlessly.
Three Unique Skills of a Hand Therapist
Specialised skills of a hand therapy practitioner include:
1. Splinting (Orthosis Fabrication)
One of the core skills of a hand therapist is custom splinting.
Your therapist can design and create a splint (orthosis) specifically tailored to your injury and your lifestyle. These may be made from thermoplastic, leather, fibreglass, or neoprene, depending on what’s required.
Importantly, your splint isn’t just about immobilising a joint. It’s designed with your daily activities in mind, whether that’s working, parenting, sport, or playing an instrument.
In some cases, a therapist may customise a commercially available brace or recommend an off-the-shelf option if that’s the most appropriate solution.
2. Scar Management & Wound Care
Hand therapists often work closely with hand and burn surgeons, thereby developing advanced skills in skin and wound management.
This can include:
- Removing post-operative sutures
- Re-dressing wounds
- Applying silicone products
- Using compression techniques to optimise scar healing
Good scar management isn’t just cosmetic; it plays an important role in restoring movement and preventing long-term stiffness.
3. Anatomical Understanding of the Hand and Arm
Because hand therapists focus exclusively on this area, they develop an exceptional understanding of its anatomy and biomechanics.
This allows them to:
- Accurately diagnose many hand and wrist conditions
- Develop highly targeted rehabilitation programs
- Prescribe injury-specific exercises to restore strength and movement
When it comes to hands, this level of expertise is hard to find elsewhere.
Accreditation Matters
Accredited Hand Therapists are full members of the Australian Hand Therapy Association (AHTA), the peak professional body for hand therapy in Australia.
The AHTA exists to advance hand therapy practice through professional development courses, special interest groups, and annual scientific conferences.
To become an AHTA Accredited Hand Therapist, a practitioner must complete:
- A minimum of three years of full-time experience
- 3,600 hours of clinical hand therapy experience
- 300 hours of post-graduate professional development education specifically related to hand therapy
This rigorous process ensures that patients receive care from clinicians with significant expertise and experience.
No Referral Required
In most cases, no referral is required to see a hand therapist.
The exceptions are if you’re claiming through WorkSafe, TAC, or Veterans’ Affairs, where specific referral requirements apply.
That said, many GPs regularly refer patients to specialised hand therapy at Melbourne Hand Rehab’s 11 clinic locations.
If you’re dealing with a hand or wrist injury, post-operative recovery, or a chronic condition, Karen or one of her colleagues can help guide you through the next steps.
And if hand therapy isn’t the right fit for your situation, they can refer you to the appropriate medical professional.
About Karen Fitt
Karen Fitt is the Clinical Director at Melbourne Hand Rehab and an Accredited Hand Therapist with a special interest in wrist injuries and musician-related conditions. She is passionate about helping patients regain movement, strength, and confidence in their hands.
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