Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) Examination case studies
CHT · Put your knowledge to work in context.
The Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) credential is administered by the Hand Therapy Certification Commission (HTCC), the body whose site describes itself as maintaining contact information for "all certified hand therapists" and which publishes a certification pathway aimed at both current CHTs and "aspiring CHT" candidates. The credential signals advanced competency in hand and upper-limb rehabilitation and is pursued by therapists who want to distinguish themselves clinically in that specialty area. The CHT case studies are 5 cases and about 3,858 words.
1Seven Weeks After Volar Plating: Sorting Out Stiffness, Strength, and Nocturnal Tingling
R is a 58-year-old right-dominant cashier, 7 weeks after volar plate fixation of a right distal radius fracture. She wore a short arm cast for 4 weeks and has had no formal therapy.
733 words, about 4 min2Zone II Flexor Tendon Repair at 3.5 Weeks: A Patient Who Is Stretching Himself
T is a 34-year-old chef, 3.5 weeks after a zone II repair of the right ring finger (FDP and FDS, 4-strand core with epitendinous suture). He is in a dorsal blocking splint with the wrist at 20° extension and MCPs at 70° flexion, and has been started on place-and-hold tenodesis.
767 words, about 4 min3Ulnar Nerve Laceration at Guyon's Canal: Why the Grip Failed When the Big Muscles Still Work
K is a 29-year-old cellist who sustained a glass laceration at the level of Guyon's canal 8 weeks ago; the ulnar artery and nerve were repaired primarily. She presents with clawing of the ring and small fingers, a positive Froment's sign, key pinch of 2 kg versus 6 kg on the left, and no active finger abduction or adduction.
738 words, about 4 min4A Director's Mandate to Replace Hands-On Care: Reading the Trial and Holding the Line
Your outpatient clinic's medical director proposes replacing in-person therapy after distal radius fracture with a phone-coaching program, citing a recent trial. The study: 214 adults, primary outcome PRWE at 12 months, mean difference 3.9 points favoring in-person care, 95% CI −2.8 to 10.6, 18% lost to follow-up, and the authors describe the phone program as "not inferior." The PRWE minimal clinically important difference is 11.5 points.
814 words, about 4 min5Nine Weeks After Distal Radius Fracture: Pain Out of Proportion and a Provider Who Said to Push Through
D is a 47-year-old teacher, 9 weeks after a nonoperatively treated distal radius fracture. She reports 8/10 burning pain, allodynia to light touch - she cannot tolerate her sleeve resting on the hand - swelling, dusky discoloration, and sweating over the hand and wrist.
806 words, about 4 min