Winter is well upon us, and while most of us are looking forward to spring, winter may still have a few surprises up its sleeve for us. Whether we are partaking in winter sports, taking a walk through the neighborhood, or just trying to get ourselves and our families to and from school and work, […]
Physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for yourself both mentally and physically. The New Year brings thoughts of New Year’s resolutions and goals. Many times those goals revolve around healthy living and a fresh start to the new year. So even if you are a newbie to the exercise […]
Fall sports bring several common injuries to the fingertips and all can decrease playing time, or require surgery. The return of school and the fall season brings the excitement of our beloved fall sports, HS Softball, Football, Volleyball, and Soccer you name it but with these fun activities comes the potential risk of injuries. Let’s […]
Here we are again, it’s August and the return to school has happened! In my house, emotions are constantly changing about the return to school. There is excitement, nervousness, anxiety, and readiness for the routine of the school year to resume. What you may not have thought about are the possible injuries that can occur […]
Milliken Hand Rehabilitation Center Hand Therapists, Macy Stonner, OTD, OTR/L, CHT & Logan Berlet, OTD, OTR/L were recently published in The Journal of Hand Surgery for their paper, “The Impact of Social Deprivation and Hand Therapy Attendance on Range of Motion After Flexor Tendon Repair.” The purpose of the paper was to examine the influence […]
We all love summer as it brings warm weather and outdoor fun. Summer hand injuries can put a damper on the good times we look forward to. With proper caution and planning, you can save yourself a trip to the emergency room and a medically created setback! Have fun this summer, but keep yourself and […]
June 6 – 10th, our Milliken Hand Rehabilitation Team participated in activities and challenges celebrating the annual Hand Therapy Week led by the American Society of Hand Therapists. Some of the unique ways that we were able to highlight our talented team was by showcasing “blinged-out” orthotic creations, getting the thoughts of a hand therapist […]
As we approach the 4th of July, it is important to keep in mind that the use of even the smallest fireworks can result in devastating injuries. Sparklers reach temperatures over 1000 degrees and can easily burn skin or ignite clothing. Larger fireworks can fracture fingers or amputate portions of the hand. While these injuries may […]
Nerve transfers are a surgical technique used to restore function in people with a nerve injury. The Milliken Hand Rehabilitation Center is well known in the hand therapy world for its work with these patients due to their close relationship with the Washington University Physicians who are world-renowned for developing this type of reconstructive surgery. […]
Washington University Occupational Therapy works with many healthcare providers, physician groups, living facilities, and community organizations to provide the best care, When & Where our patients need it most. During the month of April, we will be celebrating OT Month and promoting all that our providers and colleagues in the field do for our adult and pediatric […]
Spring is a time of awakening. As we wake up from our winter slumber, we are eager to be more active. This could mean getting back to recreational activities such as hiking, biking, or participating in an outdoor sport. Or it could mean doing housekeeping activities such as spring cleaning or gardening. Returning at full […]
Ryan Risley, MPM, meets with contractors just weeks before OT Services’ new clinic in Washington, Mo., is set to open. The 2,500-square-foot space is located approximately 50 miles west of downtown St. Louis in Franklin County. It is the culmination of four years of research, strategizing and planning for Risley, the manager of practice development […]
Following breast cancer, your risk of developing lymphedema may increase based on risk factors such as radiation or lymph node removal. Being able to receive lymphedema therapy is key to your long-term health outcome. Signs and symptoms of lymphedema include heaviness, tightness, or fullness of the affected area. You may notice that clothes or jewelry […]
Walking your dog is seen as a good way to reach weight loss goals, keep in shape, decrease stress and socialize but it could also increase your risk of injury. During the winter months and times of inclement weather, odds for an injury are at an even higher risk. NBC News did an additional story regarding seniors […]
For many people, the start of the new year symbolizes a time to take on new challenges and adopt new practices to improve physical health and overall well-being and we want to ensure that good form is being practiced. With the rise in popularity of fitness apps and online workout programs since the start of […]
The holidays are shaping up to look different again this year from traditional gatherings of the past with recommendations of continued social distancing, masks, and possible outdoor meals. During these times, our annual celebrations with family and friends are so important for our mental health, but it is equally important to stay safe. As indoor […]
Some years are more special than others in the life of a clinic, this happens to be the case for the Milliken Hand Rehabilitation Center in 2021. This year marks the 50th anniversary of Milliken and its dedication to helping hands and working with physicians to provide outstanding patient care. To honor this milestone a […]
With Halloween being this weekend, we know pumpkins are being carved in preparation for display. While usually not thought of as a dangerous activity, injuries from knives or other tools used for carving can require surgical repair and sometimes take multiple months to rehabilitate. Here are a few safety tips to help keep you away […]
What is your favorite thing about Fall? I love the weather, the leaves changing colors, wearing boots and layers, enjoying a meal outside, football, pumpkin spice lattes…I could go on and on. Fall also brings the unwanted chore of raking the leaves, which sounds simple but if done improperly could lead to injuries. Here are […]
The third edition of ‘Orthotic Intervention for the Hand and Upper Extremity’ was published this year and is recently in print. New to this edition is a chapter devoted to nerve and tendon transfers. The editors reached out to therapists at Milliken Hand Rehabilitation Center at Washington University to write this chapter given the national […]
We all love summer as it brings warm weather and outdoor activity. Summer injuries are a common reason to seek medical care. However, with proper caution and planning, save yourself a trip to the emergency room! Have fun this summer, but keep yourself and others away from summer injuries. If you sustain an upper-extremity injury, […]
Summer 2021 is looking a little brighter than the summer of 2020 as neighborhood and community gatherings, parades, and summer celebrations are returning in a safe way. This means that large firework displays may return, but also people are excited to safely gather to celebrate the holidays with friends and family. With large gatherings returning, […]
June 7th – 13th we will recognize our Hand Therapists during the American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT) Hand Therapy Week. This highly specialized group of therapists provide patient care at the Milliken Hand Rehabilitation Center. The Milliken Hand Rehabilitation Center was one of the first three hand rehabilitation facilities established in the U.S. With […]
You may ask yourself why is my physician referring me to see a hand and upper extremity specialist for my arm injury or problem? To answer that question, a Certified Hand Therapist is a specialist in the field of either Occupational or Physical Therapy that has undergone additional training and testing to earn the designation […]
Take a moment to assess your posture. Did you immediately correct the position of your neck, back, and shoulders? Although keeping those parts of our body in good alignment is important, there’s another body part that is just as important. They are something small, but undeniably useful. They are the two short appendages on your […]
Washington University Occupational Therapy works with many healthcare providers, physician groups, living facilities, and community organizations to provide the best OT care, When & Where our patients need it most. During the month of April, we will be celebrating our OT providers and colleagues and all that they do for our adult and pediatric patients. […]
Have you started having dull, achy soreness in your joints or quick, sharp pains in your hands with activities? Have you been chalking these symptoms up to just getting old; thinking there is nothing you can do to change it? Well, you could have Osteoarthritis in some of your hand joints and there definitely is […]
Winter has shown itself in the last few weeks and with that comes lots of snow shoveling. There are two important areas to address for safe snow removal. The first is proper body mechanics and the second is staying warm. Here are some general tips for good ergonomics: Tips for keeping hands warm while shoveling […]
In 2020 our Therapists provided their expertise to the following Clinical Publications & Journals: Citations: Berlet, L., & Kaskutas, V. (2020). Developing occupation kits in a Hand Therapy Student Experiential Learning Clinic. Hand Therapy, 25(2), 73-82. Cochrane, S. K., Calfee, R. P., Stonner, M. M., & Dale, A. M. (2020). The relationship between depression, anxiety, and pain […]
A new year is here and its’ time to include exercise and a new mindset for more focus on your health and wellness. Along with this an internal push to return to the gym and/or working out. Here are a few tips and tricks to help make your New Year exercise routine successful and to […]
The holidays this year are going to look a little bit different than what we are used to with social distancing, masks, and possible outdoor meals on the horizon. During this time, our annual celebrations with family and friends are so important for our mental health, but it is equally important to stay safe. As […]
With Halloween being later this week, cht These injuries can require surgical repair and sometimes take multiple months to rehabilitate. Here are a few safety tips for carving your beautiful pumpkin creations: If you do sustain a hand injury this Halloween our team at the Milliken Hand Rehabilitation Center is here to help!
Fall is quickly approaching which makes me think of the cooler weather, the leaves changing colors, wearing boots and layers, and enjoying a meal outside. It also means the unwanted chore of raking the leaves. Some common injuries with raking are easily avoidable if the raking is performed with a proper ergonomic form and a […]
The Milliken Hand Rehabilitation Center is now offering Lymphedema services for patients who are in need of these services. If you see patients or work in the community with those who may benefit from this service please don’t hesitate to call and schedule an appointment at (314) 286 – 1669. What is Lymphedema? Lymphedema presents […]
We are now into the heat of the summer here in St Louis, let’s talk about Scars and The Sun! Add in social distancing activities and that means lots of outdoor time. If you have a new scar, make sure to not neglect it during those fun summer events. Too much sun exposure can cause […]
View our Firework Safety Tip Sheet The summer of 2020 is different from any we have known before. Covid-19 has affected our ability to celebrate with the normal parades, gatherings, and summer celebrations. Large firework displays have been canceled this year. This may lead to more inexperienced people handling fireworks meaning Fireworks & Hand Safety […]
June 1st – 7th we will recognize our Hand Therapists during the American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT) Hand Therapy Week. This highly specialized group of therapists provide patient care at the Milliken Hand Rehabilitation Center. The Milliken Hand Rehabilitation Center was one of the first three hand rehabilitation facilities established in the U.S. With […]
Walking your dog is seen as a good way to reach your weight loss goals, keep in shape, and decrease stress, but it could also increase your risk of injury. Every year people are hurt while walking their dog, and the majority of these are women. In 2017 a study of ER visits found that […]
Tips for working from home during a pandemic Many of us find ourselves in uncharted territory these days; may it be working from home, homeschooling our children, increased electronic device time, or a more sedentary lifestyle. At this point, we have been working from our home in makeshift work stations for quite some time. We […]
What should we celebrate in the month of April during these difficult times, I know…National OT Month! Some of you may be asking yourself, what is OT or Occupational Therapy? Well, Occupational Therapy is a profession that assists people throughout their lifetime to do the things they desire and need to do through the therapeutic […]
Does your sleep positioning make the nerves in your arm cranky? Have you ever awoken from a sound sleep unable to “find” your arm in space? Have you noticed that when you wake up in the middle of the night, your fingers are numb and tingling? You may be sleeping in positions that stress the […]
Referred to as a disease or a phenomenon, this condition involves vasospasm of the small arteries in fingers and toes. Symptoms usually include extreme coldness in the affected digits followed by numbness. Color changes in digital tips progress from normal, to white, to blue, to red as blood flow returns. Episodes are linked with exposure […]
5 ways OT can help build a Healthier, Happier “You” in 2020! Learn more about our services…
At the start of each new year, many people set physical fitness goals. Consequently, it is common to see an increase in exercise-related injuries in our clinic around the start of the year. If increasing physical activity is a part of your New Year’s plan it is important to follow some basic guidelines to avoid […]
Winter is a busy time of year with many people out and about. As the temperature drops and winter weather occurs, the rate of injury is sure to increase with falls becoming more frequent. Falls are one of the leading causes of injury among all ages, even more so for older adults. The Centers for […]
As our focus shifts from pumpkin carving to Thanksgiving turkey cooking, this cherished American tradition is all about gathering with loved ones and sharing gratitude. Unfortunately, this day of eating is primetime for some common holiday injuries and turkey troubles. Throughout the year 1 in 10 ER visits are related to hand injuries. On Thanksgiving, […]
Do you or your colleagues treat patients that suffer from pain in their hands? Join us as we host the American Society of Hand Therapists and their traveling course, “Beating Pain.” This full-day course will review contemporary pathophysiological mechanisms underlying pain. Using insights into the somatosensory experience of pain, specific assessments and treatment strategies will […]
Joint immobilization is an effective strategy in the acute phase of upper extremity pain, particularly among those with arthritis and tendonitis conditions. A removable orthosis (or splint) is helpful to provide rest, prevent joint or tendon irritation, and alleviate pain associated with hand use. Orthoses are encouraged for the initial two to three weeks, and […]
Back to school is always a busy time of the year with an array of emotions. There are precautions you can take to avoid injuries with these ergonomics and backpack tips. Have a great school year! Learn more about the Milliken Hand Rehabilitation Center…