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Hand Trauma Injuries
Expert Hand Physio for Fractures, Tendon, Nerve and Vascular Injuries
Hand injuries are common in Wānaka. Skiing, mountain biking and outdoor adventures all increase the risk of trauma.
A fall onto the snow or a crash on the trails can cause significant damage. Even a simple accident can affect how your hand works.
The hand is made up of bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, nerves and blood vessels. Damage to any of these structures can reduce movement, strength and sensation.
At Alpine Physiotherapy, our experienced hand physios assess and treat a wide range of traumatic hand injuries. We work closely with local GPs, surgeons and ACC providers. Our goal is to help you recover safely and return to the activities you enjoy.
If you are looking for an experienced Wanaka physio for a hand injury, we are here to help.
Hand Fractures
Fractures are one of the most common hand injuries we diagnose and treat.
They often occur after a skiing fall or a mountain biking crash. Falling onto an outstretched hand places large forces through the wrist and fingers.
Fractures can involve the wrist, thumb, palm or fingers. Some heal in a cast or splint. Others require surgery to restore alignment. After the bone heals, stiffness often remains. Swelling and weakness are also common. Hand physio helps restore movement and rebuild strength. Early rehabilitation reduces stiffness and improves long-term function.
We guide your recovery with exercises that match each stage of healing. Our aim is to return you safely to work, sport and everyday activities.
Tendon Injuries
Tendons connect muscles to bones and create movement. A deep cut can damage the tendons that bend or straighten the fingers. Mountain biking accidents and ski edge injuries sometimes cause these injuries. Tendon injuries may also occur after a forceful twist or sudden impact.
Many tendon injuries need surgery before rehabilitation begins. Recovery requires careful progression to protect the repair.
Our expert hand physio’s will guide each stage of healing. Exercises begin at the right time to restore movement without overloading the tendon. With the right rehabilitation, most people regain excellent hand function.
Nerve Injuries
Nerves allow you to feel and control movement.
Trauma can stretch, compress or cut a nerve. These injuries may happen after fractures, deep lacerations or severe crush injuries. Symptoms often include numbness, tingling or weakness. Some people notice difficulty gripping or controlling their fingers.
Early assessment is important. Untreated nerve injuries may lead to permanent weakness or reduced sensation. Our team monitors recovery closely. We prescribe exercises that encourage movement while protecting healing tissues. We work closely alongside your surgeon throughout rehabilitation.
Vascular Injuries
Blood vessels supply oxygen and nutrients to every part of the hand.
A severe injury can damage these vessels and reduce blood flow. This may happen after deep cuts, machinery accidents or high-speed crashes.
Vascular injuries require urgent medical assessment and surgery. Once the blood supply has been restored, rehabilitation becomes an important part of recovery. Swelling, stiffness and weakness often develop after surgery or immobilisation.
Our expert hand physio’s will help restore movement while respecting tissue healing. Treatment progresses safely as your recovery improves.
Hand Trauma Rehabilitation
Every hand injury is different. Recovery depends on the structures involved and the demands of your daily life.
Some people need to return to farming. Others want to get back on their bike or onto the ski field. Your rehabilitation programme is designed around your goals. We gradually improve movement, strength and grip.
As healing progresses, exercises become more challenging. We also retrain coordination and fine motor control.
Our aim is to restore confidence as well as function.
Custom Hand Splints
Some traumatic injuries need additional support during healing.
We provide custom thermoplastic splints made specifically for your hand. These splints protect injured tissues while allowing safe movement where appropriate.
Custom splints are commonly used after fractures, tendon repairs and complex trauma.
They can improve comfort and help achieve better long-term outcomes. Our custom splints are made onsite using a variety of thermoplastic with custom modifications.
ACC Hand Therapy
Most hand, wrist and elbow injuries are covered by ACC if they result from an accident. There is a one off fee for the initial appointment, all follow up appointments are fully funded after this and all custom splinting is fully funded by ACC.
If you’ve injured your hand at work, while playing sport, skiing, mountain biking or during everyday activities, we can help manage your ACC claim and begin treatment promptly.
Early rehabilitation often leads to better outcomes and a quicker return to normal activities.
Why Choose Alpine Physiotherapy?
Life in Wānaka is active all year round. Healthy hands are essential for skiing, mountain biking, climbing and everyday work.
Our experienced hand physios understand the demands of local sports and outdoor lifestyles. We provide personalised rehabilitation that supports a safe return to activity.
As a trusted Wanaka physio, Alpine Physiotherapy combines evidence-based treatment with practical advice. We are committed to helping you regain movement, strength and confidence after hand trauma.
