As hand therapists, many of us agree that early treatment is crucial to successful outcomes. You may be surprised to know that it is typical for a patient to be seen for their first therapy visit three to five days after surgery. Here are some key points to remember if you or a loved one is receiving surgery or recently injured the upper extremity.

There have been many, many scientific studies evaluating turmeric (and curcumin extract) for treating osteoarthritis symptoms. At least 10 of these studies compare turmeric to a control group given a placebo (sugar pill). The majority of these studies report a significant reduction in pain. Some studies also show improved function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. More studies are recommended to confirm these results.

Like most types of arthritis, psoriatic arthritis is a condition in which the cartilage in the joint breaks down and is essentially worn out. However, psoriatic arthritis is unique in that it can commonly develop due to psoriasis. Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes skin to become dry, red and flaky. Here are 5 signs that you may have psoriatic arthritis.