Hand Therapy | Rehabilitation & Expert Care | MedStar Health
A hand therapist works with a patient following successful surgery at MedStar Health.

In addition to our medical and surgical care, The Curtis National Hand Center is one of the world's top rehabilitation centers for the hand, wrist, arm, elbow, and shoulder. Our hand therapy program offers a specialized rehabilitation approach that includes comprehensive and individualized evaluation and treatment.

Hand therapy

Evolved from both the occupational therapy (OT) and the physical therapy (PT) professions, hand therapy is a specialty that provides quality rehabilitation of the hand and arm. Therapists must meet education and experience requirements to become Certified Hand Therapists through the Hand Therapy Certification Commission.

Therapy is ideal for patients with

  • Bone fractures

  • Wounds

  • Injured tendons or nerves

  • Amputation of a finger, hand, or arm

  • Repetitive motion disorders, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, and arthritis

  • Neurological disorders

Upon referral, an experienced OT or PT completes a full evaluation of the affected extremity. Following the evaluation, an individualized treatment program is developed to address the patient's needs. The program is modified as necessary throughout the course of therapy to maximize functional outcome and use of the injured or affected extremity.

Rehabilitation therapies

At MedStar Health, our hand specialists work with each patient to establish a treatment plan — including the techniques used in supervised and independent therapy sessions — based on their individual situation and needs.

Additionally, our therapists teach and guide each patient to maximize the use of the dysfunctional extremity while preventing re-injury or worsening of condition. Therapists may educate the patient on the disease process, the healing process, and rationale for the prescribed therapy techniques.

An assortment of services are offered, including

  • Management of acute or chronic pain

  • Protective splinting for immobilization and controlled motion post-operatively or post-injury

  • Exercise programs to restore motion, strength, and fine and gross motor coordination

  • Home exercise programs

  • Sensory re-education programs after nerve injury

  • Thermal and electrical modalities to minimize pain and swelling, facilitate restoration of joint motion and tendon gliding, and decrease hypersensitivity

  • Whirlpools to assist with wound healing

  • Social work consultations

Our locations

Distance from Change locationEnter your location

MedStar Health: Orthopedics and Sports Medicine at Bel Air

12 MedStar Blvd.
3rd Floor
Bel Air, MD 21015

MedStar Health: Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital

3800 Reservoir Road NW
Pasquerilla Healthcare Center (PHC), 3rd Floor
Washington, D.C., 20007

MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Alexandria

6355 Walker Lane.
Ste. 512
Alexandria, VA 22310

MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Annapolis

810 Bestgate Rd.
3rd Floor
Annapolis, MD 21401

443-782-7601

MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Ballston-Marymount

4040 N. Fairfax Dr.
Ste. 120
Arlington, VA 22203

MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Brandywine

13950 Brandywine Rd.
Brandywine, MD 20613

MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Catonsville

3455 Wilkens Ave.
Ste. 306
Baltimore, MD 21229

MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Chevy Chase – South

5454 Wisconsin Ave.
11th Floor
Chevy Chase, MD 20815

MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Dundalk

1576 Merritt Blvd.
Ste. 7
Baltimore, MD 21222

MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Ellicott City

9501 Old Annapolis Rd.,
Dorsey Hall Medical Center
Ste. 125
Ellicott City, MD 21042

MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Frederick

163 Thomas Johnson Dr.
Ste. G
Frederick, MD 21702

MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Irving Street – Hand Center

106 Irving St., NW
MedStar Washington Hospital Center
Physicians Office Bldg. North, Ste. 5000
Washington, D.C., 20010

NRH Rehabilitation Network at K Street

2021 K St. NW
Ste. 215
Washington, D.C., 20006

MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Lafayette Centre

1120 20th St., NW
Bldg. 1 North
Floor 1
Washington, D.C., 20036

MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Lake Ridge

12825 Minnieville Rd.
Ste. 201
Lake Ridge, VA 22192

MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Leisure World

3305 North Leisure World Blvd.
Ste. 200
Silver Spring, MD 20906

MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Leonardtown

23511 Hollywood Rd.
Leonardtown, MD 20650

MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Loch Raven — Orthopedic and Hand Center

5445 Loch Raven Blvd
MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital
Smyth Bldg., Ste. 403A
Baltimore, MD 21239

MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at McLean

1420 Beverly Road
Ste. 210
McLean, VA 22101

MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Mitchellville

12158 Central Ave.
Mitchellville, MD 20721

MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Olney

18109 Prince Philip Dr.
Ste. 155 & 355
Olney, MD 20832

MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Pasadena

8028 Ritchie Hwy.
Ste. 120
Pasadena, MD 21122

NRH Rehabilitation Network at Rockville

14955 Shady Grove Rd.
Ste. 230
Rockville, MD 20850

MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Rosedale – Orthopedic and Hand Center

9101 Franklin Square Dr.
MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center
Medical Arts Bldg., Ste. 205
Baltimore, MD 21237

MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at Waugh Chapel

2410 Evergreen Rd.
Ste. 100
Gambrills, MD 21054

NRH Rehabilitation Network at Wheaton

2730 University Blvd. W.
Ste. 812
Wheaton, MD 20902

MedStar Health: Physical Therapy at White Plains

4240 Altamont Place
Ste 101
White Plains, MD 20695

301-638-1783