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Hand Therapy Clinic UHG

Hospital Location: 
University Hospital Galway
Telephone: 
(091) 542131

Introduction
About our Clinic
Patient Information
Contact us

Introduction

Hand therapy provides a service to all patients referred by the plastic surgeons. The hand therapy department consists of Occupational Therapists and Physiotherapists that specialise in the upper limb & primarily the hand. The plastics service in GUH is a supra regional centre covering the Saolta group boundaries as well as further afield to include Limerick, Midwest, Tullamore, Mullingar, & Tipperary. The more complex patients from all of these areas come to GUH for specialised hand physiotherapy not available in any of these other areas.

Both areas specialise in detailed assessment and treatment of hand conditions. Our Occupational Therapist will fabricate customised splinting when necessary to either conservatively manage a condition or to protect a repair after surgery.Physiotherapy focuses primarily on guiding the rehab process and recovery. There are some areas that overlap between the 2 and our hand specialist physiotherapists and occupational therapists will work together to maximise recovery after any hand injury. While good clinical outcomes depend on skilled hand therapy, the final success of any operation depends on the patient themselves and how much effort they put into the recovery/rehabilitation.

About our clinic

Physiotherapy

Brian Ó Ceallaigh

Senior Physiotherapist​

Brian qualified with a BSc in Physiotherapy from the University of Limerick in 2006. He has worked in public and private setting mainly musculoskeletal upper limb. He started in UHG in 2009. Main interest areas are tendon rehabilitation and wrist instability. He recently presented his work on extensor tendon rehabilitation to the Irish hand Surgery Society and the Belgian Hand Group.​

Occupational Therapy​

Alisha Kelly

Clinical Specialist Occupational Therapist​

Alisha qualified with a BSc in  Occupational Therapy in 1986. She has worked in the area of hand therapy for 15 years. She has presented her work on flexor tendon rehabilitation/splinting to the Irish hand Surgery Society and the British Association of hand Therapists. She has a keen interest in upper limb splinting and management of the small joints of the fingers.

 

Patient Information

Please consult with your therapist for details of relevant videos and information sheets to download.


Flexor Tendon (Zone 1 & 2)

Flexor tendons are like thick strings that lie just under your skin. These tendons are very important as they connect muscle to bone and bend your fingers into your palm. The flexor tendons in your hand have now been repaired, this is a very complicated surgery and requires that you follow a specialised therapy programme to help your hand and arm to heal properly. 

Please click here to read the full information leaflet (including wearing Instructions and exercises)


Flexor Tendon (Zone 3+)

Flexor tendons are like thick strings that lie just under your skin. These tendons are very important as they connect muscle to bone and bend your fingers and thumb into your palm. The flexor tendons in your hand have now been repaired, this is a very complicated surgery and requires that you follow a specialised therapy programme to help your hand and arm to heal properly. 

Please click here to read the full information leaflet (including wearing Instructions and exercises)


Contact us

University Hospital Galway
Newcastle Road
Galway H91YR71

​Physiotherapy​
Tel: 091-542131

​Occupational Therapy
Tel: 091-542431