Rehabilitation After Peripheral Nerve Injuries
Peripheral nerve injuries, which can result in the loss of sensory (feeling) and/or motor (movement) functions, can have a significant impact on daily life. Such injuries can be disabling, affecting your ability to move, perform tasks, or even feel normal sensations. However, rehabilitation is an essential part of recovery and should begin as soon as a nerve injury is diagnosed. Early rehabilitation helps to prevent complications, improve function, and optimise the chances of recovery.
Depending on the complexity of the injury, your rehabilitation may involve working with several allied healthcare professionals, each with a specific role in your recovery journey:
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Physiotherapist: A physiotherapist will help you restore movement and strength in the affected area through exercises and physical therapies. They focus on improving mobility, reducing stiffness, and preventing muscle wasting.
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Hand therapist: Specialising in the rehabilitation of the hands and upper limbs, a hand therapist will guide you through exercises and treatments to help regain fine motor skills, dexterity, and strength. They are particularly important if your injury affects the hands or wrists.
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Occupational therapist: An occupational therapist helps you regain the ability to perform everyday activities, such as dressing, eating, or working. They may recommend assistive devices, teach you new ways to accomplish tasks, and help you adapt your environment to make it safer and easier to navigate.
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Orthotist/Prosthetist: These specialists provide braces, splints, or prosthetic limbs to support the affected area. If necessary, they will fit you with devices that stabilise the injured limb, prevent further damage, or improve function during recovery.
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Psychologist: Coping with the effects of a nerve injury can be emotionally challenging. A psychologist can support your mental health, helping you manage pain, anxiety, or depression. They also assist in developing coping strategies to deal with the emotional impact of your injury, which is an important part of overall healing.
Why Rehabilitation is Important
Rehabilitation plays a critical role in helping you recover and regain as much function as possible after a peripheral nerve injury. Early intervention, combined with a tailored rehabilitation programme, can lead to better outcomes and a faster return to daily activities. Working closely with your healthcare team ensures that you receive the best possible care for both your physical and emotional recovery.