As an occupational therapist and certified hand therapist, I encounter surgical scars frequently. They all need some amount of scar care after surgery. Can hand therapy help with scar tissue? Absolutely!
What is Scar Tissue?
We focus on the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder here at Hands on Therapy Services, so that is where my focus will be for this blog post.
The size of the scar, type of surgery, and location on the arm can significantly impact how problematic scars can be.
When you have surgery, the body sends proteins and collagen, which I like to describe as “fibers,” to the area to help close the wound. That’s what scars are made of, and that’s why they look different from your normal skin. Scars can initially be red, hard, dry, and not flexible.
Types of Scars
In therapy, we not only work on the visible scars but also on the scar tissue underneath. The types of scars we may see in hand therapy include:
- Keloid Scars: These occur when the body overproduces “fibers” to close a wound. The scar can be red or dark and very raised.
- Hypertrophic Scars: These are red or purplish and slightly raised but typically lighten and flatten over time. This is the most common type that I see.
- Contracture Scars: These scars pull the skin inward and are commonly seen in burns or areas with extensive skin damage. I see this type of scarring a lot in finger types of injuries.
Managing Scar Tissue
The nature of scar tissue is like a bundle of fibers all mixed up and tightly wound. It can be thick and dense, making it difficult to move, especially when the scar is on a finger or crosses a joint like the wrist or elbow. Over time, with constant stress to the scar, the fibers will start to soften and become more mobile.
dry, red scar after distal radius fracture surgery
Scar Care Tips
- Moisturize: So if we know that scars are dry and hard, one of the things we need to do is use a cream or lotion to massage and keep the scar moisturized. It helps to also soften the scar and make sure that the scar is not over sensitive. In short: use a cream or lotion to massage and keep the scar moisturized.
- Movement: Since the scar is hard and inflexible, maintaining motion is crucial. Don’t be discouraged if it feels hard and stiff again after a few hours or overnight. Consistent stress and motion will impact the scar over time. Scars can be active for up to one to two years, but the best window of opportunity is in the first 6 months, so DON’T GIVE UP!
scar after 1 year, clavicle surgery
Additional Scar Treatments
Besides scar massage and motion, some scars need a little help to flatten and move.
use of paper tape for the back of the elbow scar
- Paper Tape: My professional favorite is the use of paper tape over the scar to help with moving it. How to tape just depends on what the issue is and where.
- Silicone Gel Pads: These can help but may roll off and be a little expensive.
- Scar Creams: People ask me about those scar creams all the time, and as a therapist, it’s not something that I really recommend. Scars are red and dark by nature at the beginning and will lighten over time. Does that happen ALL the time? Well no…but does the cream lighten, flatten, and make the scar disappear? I haven’t really seen it but some people love it and some people don’t think it works. You will have to try it yourself and make that decision.
Radial Shockwave Therapy
At Hands on Therapy Services, we also offer Radial Shockwave Therapy to reduce pain and inflammation fast. This non-invasive treatment can significantly enhance your recovery process, providing quick relief and promoting healing in the affected areas.
As an occupational therapist and hand therapist, I can use several different techniques to see what works depending on the problem. Not everything works for every problem every time.
This is pretty much what I tell my patients when they ask about their scars and what we need to do to manage the scar.
Still have some questions about what to do with your scar after surgery? Give us at Hands on Therapy Services a call and schedule your FREE Discovery Visit here!
Hands-on Therapy Services: Your Partner in Recovery
Hands-on Therapy Services is a leading provider of certified hand therapy in Miami. Our team specializes in the rehabilitation of various injuries affecting the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand. These injuries can result from accidents, surgery, or even naturally occurring conditions. Our services are delivered by certified hand therapists, ensuring you receive the highest quality care. Additionally, we offer occupational and physical therapy services on-site.
About Hoang Tran – an expert in occupational therapy
Hoang Tran is a certified hand therapist, the owner of Hands-on Therapy Services, and the author of the book “The Hands-On Approach”. She loves helping people with hand, neck, and shoulder problems because she knows how bad and debilitating they can get if not addressed and treated properly (once and for all!).
Her hand therapy clinic aims to help her clients live active pain-free lives, without pills, injections, or surgery. Occupational and Physical Therapy are offered at Hands-On Therapy by our experienced therapists who provide a comprehensive approach to your care.
If you or someone you know is living with
Speak with one of our specialists for FREE by requesting a 30-minute Discovery Visit here! Talk to our specialist first before booking any paid session. We like to ensure that we can help you before taking you on as a client.
Contact us to learn more!
** If you are an occupational therapist, physical therapist, or certified hand therapist who wants to learn and develop your skills in hand therapy, please visit Hoang Tran’s program.
Hoang Tran offers both online and in-person learning events to help you develop your clinical skills.
***
Disclaimer: As with all our pages, this is NOT a substitute for formal medical treatment or occupational therapy. It is intended to inform only. Hands-on Therapy Services disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.
