Hand therapist discusses common injuries

WAYNE — Barry G Inglett, PT, CHT, Cert. MDT, recently presented a program to the Pines Lake Association Seniors on the prevention and treatment of hand injuries.
Mr. Inglett reviewed common injuries and treatment interventions, as well as preventive measures to avoid hand injuries. These injuries include tendon lacerations due to sharp objects such as knives, broken glass, and other common household items, as well as those injuries sustained from putting your hands in mechanical machinery such as snow blowers and lawnmowers.
These injuries he stated, are more common than you might think. He also discussed many of the problems that affect the geriatric population, such as different types of arthritis and the importance of proper treatment, which may include splinting to rest the joint and protect it. Another thing he stressed is the importance of wearing gloves for many activities, especially gardening, Mr. Inglett stated: “Even small cuts from rosebushes and other plants can turn into very bad infections in the fingers”.
He advised that if you see any reddened or swollen, painful areas due to any type of injury, even small injuries, a physician should evaluate you. He also discussed some important common-sense ways to prevent serious injury, such as keeping your balance reactions sharp and your living areas clear of clutter, loose rugs or dangerous wires, to avoid falls that may result in fracture and other injuries.
“The best treatment is prevention”, he stated.
Inglett is a Physical Therapist and a Certified Hand Therapist, certified by the Hand Therapy Certification Commission, which comprises a large part of his practice. He has expertise in treating people with trauma including amputations, tendon lacerations, fractures, crush injuries and overuse injuries. He is experienced in construction of splints that patients may be needed to allow the injury to heal and splints that will help the patients get their hands moving again. His practice, Wayne Physical Therapy & Spine Center in Pompton Lakes New Jersey, treats patients for all types of orthopedic disorders, sports injuries, vestibular problems, balance disorders, and of course hand problems.