Prevention of complications in hand therapy.

Basic principles stress that the injury or surgery is not to be extended through complications resulting from a failure to control edema, poor wound care, improper splinting, or forceful exercise. Prevention of these problems in hand therapy is discussed. Close rapport between surgeon, patient, and therapist is most important to support and motivate the patient. If that motivation is demolished or even impaired, the entire course of surgery and therapy may be complicated or impaired.