Hand Therapy Secrets | Helping Occupational Therapist Become Experts

Persistent ulnar-sided wrist pain after a distal radius fracture isn't always a TFCC problem. In this episode, let's break down the anatomy and clinical reasoning that helps you identify the true source of pain and choose more effective treatment strategies.

Anatomy doesn’t change—but protocols do. Flexor tendons are one area where what you’re doing in the clinic may not always match what you’re expected to know for the CHT exam. If you’re studying based only on the protocols you use at work, you could be missing an important part of the picture.

I recently consulted with a patient who had a nondisplaced radial styloid fracture—but as she told me how she had been immobilized, I immediately started asking questions.

What if the MRI isn't telling the whole story? Let's talk about a real patient case as we break down the critical thinking behind persistent wrist pain and why looking beyond the wrist can change your treatment approach.

Distal radius fracture rehab isn't just about waiting for the bone to heal. It's about knowing when to progress motion, how to teach exercises correctly, and recognizing that the elbow and shoulder can limit wrist recovery.