We would like to take this opportunity to introduce Jane Gorton (nee Robinson) who came back to us this month after two years working away in Hand Therapy and Work Rehab, Rebecca Sperring and Carmen Torpy.  Together with Nicola Phibbs and I, we have five Occupational Therapists so that we can meet your need for timely intervention.

We continue to specialise in the treatment of hand and upper limb injuries, soft tissue injury management, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), burns / scar / wound, chronic oedema / lymphoedema management, work rehabilitation and home assessments.

Cairns Occupational Therapy can help:

• Improving arm movement and prevent stiffness and tight muscles affecting everyday tasks.
• Improving the appearance of scars and reducing the impact of scarring on lymphatic drainage and shoulder movement.
• Teach how to improve lymphatic drainage and reducing the risks of developing chronic oedema/lymphoedema.
• Teaching self-management of lymphoedema, if it does occur, via massage, exercises, compression bandaging/garments if necessary.

Patients can be referred by GPs, Specialists, allied health providers or themselves. Often treatment is best implemented pre-op or in the first few weeks after surgery, but it is never too late.

Our Occupational Therapists can improve your safety and independence

OT home assessments address:

• Management of ADL including all transfers and mobility
• Manual handling skills/equipment for carers
• Falls risk assessment
• Prescription of assistive equipment, home modifications and personal alarms

Who can we help?

• DVA gold card holder
• DVA white card holders (conditions apply)
• Privately insured and Self funded
• Compensable patients e.g. WorkCover Qld, CTP claimant

Cairns occupational therapist, Kerry Stingel has been named as Q-COMP’s first representative for the area, as part of the workers’ compensation authority’s Regional Network Program. 

The Regional Network Program is a new initiative aimed at developing networks and educational opportunities for the many people who interact with the workers compensation scheme across Queensland, including rehabilitation coordinators, health providers, employers and injured workers. 

The program was developed in response to feedback received during a regional roadshow in early 2011, that the return to work community in Cairns required more support through a stronger Q-COMP presence in the area. 

As part of her role, Kerry will help ensure that Cairns locals will be able to access information and ask questions of an individual who, not only understand Q-COMP and the workers’ compensation scheme, but also has first hand experience in the region.   

Kerry is well placed to offer these services, being an experienced occupational therapist specialising in rehabilitation of hand and arm injuries. She has worked in the area since 1992 and owns Cairns Occupational Therapy, and is President of the Far North Queensland Allied Health Association.

Q-COMP Chief Executive Officer, Elizabeth Woods says the Regional Network Program is a positive step towards building a strong return to work culture in regional Queensland.

“The Regional Network Program allows our representatives to listen to the needs of the local area and feed them directly back to Q-COMP so that we can ensure we develop appropriate solutions” Ms Woods said. 

“Kerry is a great addition to the program, and those in the return to work industry in Cairns can look forward to upcoming opportunities for networking and education.” she said.

For more information about the Regional Network Program in Cairns, visit qcomp.com.au or call Q-COMP on 1300 361 235.

Grip strength is affected by many conditions. Many factors such as hand dominance, fatigue age, state of nutrition, time of day, pain, sensory loss, restricted motion, and cooperation of the patient can influence the strength of the grip.

We can help improve hand strength by:

1. Providing an in-depth assessment of their hands, to identify the causes of their symptoms. We may use the Jamar dynamometer to give an accurate measure of grip strength. A Pinch gauge is used to assess the various types of pinch grip.
2. Prescribing the ideal equipment to assist them in increasing their hand strength such as a Digiflex, Theraputty, Theraband, Wrist cuffs, Free weights and functional tasks.

Occupational therapists have a very important role in the treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis, we can provide:

• Practical advice on how they can overcome everyday problems at home and work. (e.g. to teach task modification and prescribe adaptive equipment)
• Education on how to conserve energy and protect their joints
• Braces or splints to rest or support painful or damaged joints
• Exercises and activities to help improve / maintain strength or movement
• Techniques to help the client cope with pain

Do you know any new mothers with pain in the thumb side of the wrist or base of the thumb? They may have DeQuervain’s Tendinosis. It is very common in new mothers, grandparents and child carers.

Our therapists can

• Teach them how to modify their daily activities and pace their tasks to reduce the use of the thumb. There are lots of ways to do this – we have detailed handouts for mums to take home.
• Help them to manage swelling and pain using heat, cold, ultrasound, soft tissue release etc.
• Fit a splint/brace that limits the movement of the thumb and wrist. This will make it easier to rest the area and stop the aggravating movements.

We know lots about this condition… Kerry has had first hand experience and has presented on the “Management of DeQuervain’s in New Mums” at the Australian Hand Therapy Conference and OT State Conference.

Pregnancy related CTS has been shown to respond well to therapy management prior to delivery and in the period following birth.

Cairns OT therapists can help relieve the symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome by:

• Reducing swelling by teaching retrograde massage and prescribing and fitting compression gloves 
• Providing a lightweight splint or brace to keep the wrist in a neutral position and relieve pressure on the median nerve 
• Providing information of task modification and pacing to help reduce the force and repetition of finger movement that exacerbates CTS
• Teaching exercises to help the median nerve to slide better in the surrounding tissues 

Expectant mums often find treatment helps their sleep and their hands can function better during the day.

Joint protection aims to reduce pain and swelling, maintain and improve function and help keep the joint intact.

We teach client joint protection principles such as:

• Respect Pain – Let pain be your guide
• Use larger joints and muscles – spread the strain
• Avoid staying in one position for too long and aim to be in a neutral position
• Avoid gripping too tightly
• Balance activity and rest – take breaks and pace yourself
• Keep the joints moving
• Use a splint or brace (and we have a great range of these)
• Change the way you do things to make them easier and less painful
• Use assistive equipment