Hand Therapy

FORM Ortho specializes in the rehabilitation of Hand, Wrist, and Elbow conditions. Our Hand Therapists are experienced and knowledgeable in the intricate anatomy of the hand and upper extremity, advanced surgical techniques being used, and rehabilitation protocols, allowing us to maximize your recovery.

FORM Ortho understands the reliance on your hands and upper extremities in daily life and the significant impact a condition or trauma can cause. We offer our patients a wide range of hand, wrist, and elbow treatment methods and compassionate care that can only be found at FORM Ortho. We are dedicated to restoring function and mobility, and most of all, improving your quality of life.

Patients will not have to travel far to see us. With our convenient location in Fremont, we are easily accessible to Silicon Valley, Oakland and the rest of the San Francisco Bay Area. Our office is open Monday through Friday and offers appointments as early as 6 am to accommodate patients before work.

To become a patient at FORM Ortho you must obtain a referral from a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner to start treatment. If you are not currently under the care of a physician for your hand, wrist or elbow condition you can schedule an appointment at FORM Ortho to be evaluated and treated by one of the top Orthopedic Hand Surgeons in California, Basil R. Besh, M.D.

Our Services

At FORM Ortho, our hand therapists work with patients to create and implement exercise programs to increase motion, dexterity, and strength, and to provide training in the performance of daily life skills, work tasks, and recreational activities through adapted methods and equipment. The following are just a few examples of methods our therapists use and in no way is it all-inclusive. Our therapists are highly innovative and participate in ongoing continuing education in the field of hand therapy to remain up-to-date in current practices. If you have a question about whether your condition should be treated by one of our hand therapists, call FORM Ortho at (510) 585-2535.

Therapeutic Exercises and Hands-On Manual Therapy

One of the most important parts of therapy includes range of motion exercises, joint mobilization, and scar tissue management. Exercises and activities at FORM Ortho are done with the Hand Therapists. However, many of the exercises are to be done by the patient at home. Patients are given an individualized home exercise program. Our therapists provide you with a thorough and detailed explanation as to which exercises you must do at home, and how often. The home program is essential to any progress.

We offer:

  • Therapeutic exercises and activities for functional strengthening, conditioning, and range of motion in the clinic.
  • Development of home exercise programs.
  • Hands-on manual therapy with soft tissue mobilization.
  • Myofascial techniques to eliminate pain and restore range of motion caused by injury, inflammation, and/or surgical procedures.

Physical Agent Modalities

At FORM Ortho, our Hand Therapists are experienced in the use of physical agent modalities as an adjunct to a comprehensive plan of therapy care. Physical agent modalities are devices or interventions that can stimulate soft tissue changes in ways that are not possible with voluntary patient activity or manual therapy techniques. Such modalities, when used in conjunction with therapeutic exercises, can promote faster healing and return of function.

We offer:

  • Ultrasound (deep thermal therapy).
  • Iontophoresis to deliver medication to a localized area using a mobile patch.
  • Thermotherapy (heat) with paraffin wax treatment
  • Cryotherapy (superficial cold therapy).
  • Electrical stimulation therapy for neuromuscular rehabilitation, desensitization, and pain control.

Custom Splints

At FORM Ortho, our therapists are highly knowledgeable in the technical skills of custom fabricated splints. Once the need for immobilization is determined, our therapists fabricate splints according to your condition and requirements. Splints are designed to protect and immobilize a bone or joint and assist in regaining range of motion of a joint. Off-the-shelf splints are limited in sizing and adjustment options, and because splinting involves the subsequent application of support, custom splints are preferred and can be modified as your needs change with the progression of therapy. Our therapists make splints that are also fast and easy to apply.

We offer:

  • Static splints to immobilize, protect, and rest a joint.
  • Dynamic splints designed to increase passive range of motion, augment active range of motion, or substitute for loss of range of motion.
  • Serial splints undergo repeated remodeling to guide progressive increases in range of motion.

BTE Technology

With our commitment to providing quality care and the best therapeutic outcomes, FORM Ortho uniquely offers BTE (Baltimore Therapeutic Equipment) Primus RS technology. BTE is an interactive rehabilitative system that is able to replicate specific tasks and objectively track progress to show improvement with each therapy session. Being able to obtain quantifiable information on your condition and progress in rehabilitation, allows us to make the best clinical decisions regarding your care.

For hand therapy patients, restoring hand function by replicating specific tasks is invaluable. Some of our patients who have benefited from BTE Primus RS include bus drivers, construction workers, factory workers, etc. BTE Primus RS is able to replicate occupational tasks such as bus/truck steering wheels, various hand tools like screwdrivers, and levers with varied resistances. BTE Primus RS can simulate daily tasks such as turning a doorknob, using a key, grasping and pinching, all while controlling resistance as your therapist makes adjustments and monitors your progress throughout your therapy program.

We offer:

  • Functional Capacity Evaluations using BTE work simulator to measure baseline abilities objectively to determine an individual’s potential to return to work following injury or overall disability status.
  • Work Hardening applies BTE technology to design a specific individual’s program to improve strength and endurance and incorporate hand and upper extremity function in purposeful activities. The goal for patients performing work hardening exercises is to return to previous levels of function in activities of daily living (ADL), work-related tasks, and recreational activities.

Ergonomic Assessment

In the context of hand therapy, ergonomics is the science of designing a workspace using an evidence-based approach to make measurable improvements to the workspace to prevent injuries that can occur from the shoulder to the fingertips, and increase productivity. By designing a safe and comfortable workstation, we can help you work safely.

We Offer:

  • Ergonomic Consultations performed by our Certified Ergonomic Assessment Specialist to provide proactive, preventive ergonomic education and modification to reduce workplace injuries.