New clinic specializes in finger, hand, wrist and elbow therapy

Before her lateral elbow release surgery last spring, Sarah Dewey’s elbow and arm had been hurting so badly from chronic overuse that the Southwest Missouri State University biology lab instructor had begun falling behind in her work.

“I had essentially found as many ways to not use my right arm as possible. I couldn’t shake hands with people, carry things or keep up with grading my students’ papers,” Dewey says.

The surgery, performed by St. John’s orthopedist Richard Seagrave, M.D., helped relieve Dewey’s pain. She followed up her elbow surgery with a summer of therapy with Occupational Therapist and Certified Hand Therapist Marc Allen to strengthen her elbow, arm and hand at St. John’s new hand therapy clinic. St. John’s Hand Therapy Clinic is located on the fifth floor of St. John’s Surgery Center at the corner of National and Seminole in Springfield. Previously, St. John’s provided hand therapy services at 2135 E. Fremont. The occupational therapists work closely with the referring physicians to ensure proper therapy and recovery for patients.

BEGINNING THERAPY

“I began having therapy immediately after my surgery and it’s helped a lot. Marc prescribes exercises for me to do at home in addition to my therapy at the clinic,” Dewey says.

The clinic specializes in hand and elbow therapy, including post-surgical therapy and non-surgical therapy, according to Mark Coalson, St. John’s Physical Therapy Services assistant director.

“St. John’s Hand Therapy Clinic is a service of St. John’s Physical Therapy Services and opened this location in St. John’s Surgery Center to have close proximity to the referring orthopedic physicians who practice in the same building. The clinic employs four therapists who specialize in finger, hand, wrist and elbow injuries, disorders and post-surgical care.

St. John’s also offers hand therapy services at our physical and occupational therapy clinic at 2120 W. Kearney in Springfield. We provide custom splinting and therapy after injuries such as traumatic lacerations, crushes and carpal tunnel,” Coalson says. “We also provide functional capacity evaluations for disability impairments and job site ergonomic evaluations.”

MULTIPLE SERVICES

The new clinic’s equipment includes a weight trainer, devices to test grip strength, therapeutic ultrasound machines, work simulators and units to deliver anti-inflammatory medications electronically directly to the patient’s injury.
“Having all of these services available at one specialized Hand Therapy Clinic makes going to therapy much easier for our patients, especially those who travel in from out of town. The easier their therapy is for them, the quicker they will recover from their injury and their life will return to normal,” Coalson says.

For more information about St. John’s hand therapy services, please call the clinic at 417-820-9300. Therapy patients must be referred by a physician.

Helpful accommodations for computer workstations

• Multi-adjustable keyboard and mouse holder
• Multi-adjustable, sturdy five-star chair
• Anti-glare cover for computer screen
• Footrest to intermittently change leg position
• Forearm bands for “tennis” and “golfer’s” elbow
• Wrist supports

Tips for a more comfortable computer workstation

• Hold your neck upright over your body
• Adjust the computer screen so it is comfortable for your eyes
• Keep your shoulders relaxed, with arms resting at your side
• Elbows should be bent about 80 degrees
• Position items in front of you
• Back should be well-supported and slightly reclined
• Maintain a slight inward curve in your low back
• Your chair should support your upper legs fully
• Feet should rest comfortably on the floor
• Wrists should be straight with fingers contouring downward on keys
• Get up and move around for short periods every one to two hours.