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Stretching vs Physical Therapy
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10/06/2015 14:21
Broderbund 
10/06/2015 14:21
Broderbund 
Stretching vs Physical Therapy

Hi -

Can someone please explain to me the difference between stretching vs physical therapy on your fingers?

I recently had NA done and my doctor wrote out a prescription for three PT sessions. I went today and some of what they showed me was to bend the finger back to zero degrees flexion. Their explanation is it helps to retrain some of the soft tissue that was in a contracted position for a period of time.

Is this different than stretching the finger which I've read man believe may aggravate DD? For that matter is a splint worn ata night not stretching the tendon etc into a straight position......Can someone explain the differences to me......?

10/06/2015 14:58
newman 
10/06/2015 14:58
newman 

Re: Stretching vs Physical Therapy

Hi Firstly the night splint holds the finger in a passive natural position- no force is exerted to straighten the finger. It prevents the finger from bending whilst sleeping. I've had 5 NA treatments to my index fingers in Australia and in Germany. All practitioners advised to try to straighten the joint by simple stretching, but only for the first 10 to 14 days after NA Not Longer. Dr Meinel in Germany was one of the first surgeons to go to Paris to learn the technique of PNF or NA as it is called in the US. Meinel suggested that whilst watching TV I basically sit on the hand ,palm down for short periods which were comfortable not to overdo it . The idea is to sit on a soft lounge not a hard chair. Place the hand under the upper thigh. This worked for me. One of the hand therapists in OZ suggested a few simple exercises, once the hand was healed. Extend all fingers fully outwards as hard as you can opening the web between the fingers .Hold for a few seconds and slowly claw the fingers bending each joint up to making a closed fist. Hold the fingers in the closed fist position and relax. Repeat 3 times . I do this a couple to three times a day. You might find that after 6 weeks or so you may need to have a new night splint or have it adjusted . Dr Meinel has recently made new splints for me using a new product Thermoplastic Bolus Pellets 703011/1 to make the backing rod and thermoplastic sheeting made by Orfit Industries . Check it out if you are interested. Make sure your night splint is long enough extending well into palm of the hand. For example my index splints are about 12 cm long X 4 cm wide.

Edited 10/06/15 18:06

10/09/2015 04:41
Dirk 
10/09/2015 04:41
Dirk 
Re: Stretching vs Physical Therapy

Hi Newman, where did you have your NA procedure done in Australia? And are you happy with the results?
I am in touch with the Coastal Plastic Surgery Centre in Mornington (David Hunter) and so far so good.
Earlier I checked in with the office of Jennifer Green in Brisbane, but was put off by the response I received.

Thanks, dirk

10/09/2015 06:49
newman 
10/09/2015 06:49
newman 

Re: Stretching vs Physical Therapy

Hi I had it done in Adelaide by Dr Griffin Good Result .He I would say is on the more aggressive side using a full block which is not the so called Paris method as there is a risk to the nerves in the finger. Dr Hunter-Smith is a good choice he has been doing NA for many years and is a specialist hand surgeon. Check his website. I am not sure if he makes any splints. However if you contact me by private mail and send me your email I will give you some information and some photos of the splints made for me in Germany by Dr Meinel. The thermoplastic made by Orfit Industries - Bolus Pellets product 703011/1 is available in Australia. I'll be back in Oz end of the month. My procedure was carried out in the Surgery -outpatient and Private Health does not pay . Out of Pocket was around $500 per finger. Check with his secretary as he does carry out the procedure in a Private Hospital which is covered by Private Health-depending on your cover. PNF or NA has only been carried out since around 2007 in Oz. Regards.

Edited 10/09/15 10:24

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