Work transition after hand injury: A scoping review

Buchanan, Helen; Niekerk, Lana van; Grimmer, Karen

doi:10.1016/j.jht.2020.10.007

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…We anticipated that strategies used by occupational therapists in LMICs to facilitate RTW would be different from those in HICs. A recent scoping review on work transition following hand injury found no interventions specifically focussed on facilitating RTW (Buchanan et al, 2020 ). Sources focussed almost exclusively on prognostic factors.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A recent scoping review identified the strategies occupational therapists use to facilitate work‐related transitions in this population as those directed at addressing the psychological consequences of the injury, assisting persons with upper limb injuries to develop coping strategies, pain management, working on components of function, communicating with employers and other stakeholders, and matching job demands to the client's functional abilities (Uys et al, 2020 ). A broader scoping review on work‐related transitions after hand injury, from the perspective of any healthcare provider, reported that most studies (15 of 26) investigated prognostic indicators for RTW (Buchanan et al, 2020 ). Only one article, a single case study, related to intervention.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Of the 58 potential prognostic factors identified in this review, the most commonly reported factors were: psychological impact of injury; severity of injury; nature of injury; hospitalisation and compensation; and work‐related issues. Studies on patient perspectives indicated that the most important areas were dealing with the psychosocial impact of the injury, adapting methods to perform work tasks, contact with the workplace, and the worker compensation process (Buchanan et al, 2020 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Work transitions after serious hand injury: Current occupational therapy practice in a middle‐income country

Buchanan

Niekerk

2021

Aus Occup Therapy J

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Introduction: Work-related transitions following serious hand injury can be complex for people with hand injuries and rehabilitation professionals supporting the return-to-work process. This study explored South African occupational therapy practice related to work transitions after a serious hand injury. Methods:In this collective case study, maximum variation sampling was used to select seven occupational therapists involved in facilitating work-related transitions for people with serious hand injuries. Participants selected at least five cases that illustrated the breadth of their practice in terms of work transitions; these cases formed the focus of the semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using inductive content analysis. Exemplar quotations were extracted to support emergent key themes.Results: There was one overarching theme-Ongoing appraisal of the fit between function and inherent work demands-which comprised three stages:(1) determining and facilitating readiness to work; (2) managing the risk and trauma of returning to work, and (3) implementing reasonable accommodation. The central theme comprised six strategies that were used to optimise the transition process and achieve the best possible outcome. Conclusion:The study highlighted the importance of work-related transitions that are context-driven, flexible, and involve multiple stakeholders. The occupational therapists demonstrated how they drew on their knowledge of local contexts to solve problems and generate effective individual strategies over the rehabilitation period. The findings may be applicable to other low-or middleincome countries where the return-to-work process may not be as predictable as high-income countries.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Work transitions after serious hand injury: Current occupational therapy practice in a middle‐income country

Buchanan

Niekerk

2021

Aus Occup Therapy J

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“…The restoration of a well‐padded pulp with sensate glabrous tissue is a crucial consideration. Additionally, surgeons must also consider the financial implications of various treatment options available to their patients (Buchanan et al, 2022). When working with patients to manage their injuries, it is vital to consider their specific needs and how they may affect their compliance with post‐operative instructions and therapy to achieve the best possible outcomes (Stonner et al, 2022).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The free Thenar flap for thumb pulp reconstruction: A case report

et al. 2023

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The thumb is acknowledged to contribute significantly to hand function, accounting for up to 40% of its overall capability. Consequently, injuries affecting the thumb can have a profound impact on the quality of life experienced by patients. When it comes to the surgical reconstruction of thumb injuries, the primary objective is to promptly provide coverage of the affected area with glabrous skin, thus preserving both the length and functionality of the thumb. Managing injuries specifically involving the thumb pulp can be particularly challenging due to the digit's size and vital role. Acquiring an adequate amount of glabrous soft tissue poses a difficulty in such cases. Various reconstructive approaches, encompassing a range of options on the reconstructive ladder, have been documented for thumb pulp injuries. The most popular options include pedicled flaps and free flaps obtained from both the hands and feet. However, a consensus regarding the optimal method for reconstructing the thumb pulp has yet to be reached. We present a case of total thumb pulp reconstruction for a 40 × 30 mm defect using the free thenar flap in a 65‐year‐old carpenter who sustained a work‐related injury. This flap was designed and raised on the superficial branch of the radial artery with a single subcutaneous vein and a branch of the palmar cutaneous nerve, the flap measured 43 × 32 mm. It was inset transversely with an end‐to‐end arterial anastomosis to the ulnar digital artery, venous anastomosis to the dorsal digital vein and nerve coaptation to the ulnar digital nerve. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged the following day without any complications. Eight months after surgery, the patient was extremely satisfied with the results of the procedure in terms of both function and appearance. The patient had experienced an improvement in function, sensation, and aesthetics. The patient had a QuickDASH disability/symptom score of 15.91 and a QuickDASH work module score of 18.75; the range of motion in the treated thumb was almost the same as the opposite thumb. The patient successfully resumed work three weeks following the procedure, initially with modified duties, and fully regained their work capacity within six weeks. As the patient's primary concern was their ability to return to work, the utilization of a free thenar flap offered several distinct advantages. These included minimal post‐operative complications, facilitated by a single operative site, allowing for reconstruction under regional anesthesia. Moreover, the procedure was conducted in a single stage, enabling the patient to be discharged on the same day without the need for further procedures. Furthermore, similar to several other reconstructive options for the thumb, the utilization of a free thenar flap offered the advantage of providing high‐quality, like‐for‐like glabrous tissue.

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Ergotherapie nach komplexen Handverletzungen

Ismaier¹

2021

Unfallchirurg

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Work transition after hand injury: A scoping review

Cited by 6 publications

References 48 publications

Work transitions after serious hand injury: Current occupational therapy practice in a middle‐income country

Work transitions after serious hand injury: Current occupational therapy practice in a middle‐income country

The free Thenar flap for thumb pulp reconstruction: A case report

Ergotherapie nach komplexen Handverletzungen

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