FAQs

Medical Questions
Questions About Surgery
Questions About Splints, Casts and Bandages
Insurance, Billing and Financial Questions
Questions About Hand Therapy
Other Questions

Medical Questions:

Q: I had an injection today. It is hurting more than I thought, or I think I'm having a bad reaction to it. What should I do?
A: It is common to have pain or "achy-ness" in the region of your injection. In addition to the primary medication, our injections contain Lidocaine that has a temporary numbing action. When this wears off, one often feels some pain. Depending on the location, the tenderness can last for a day or even two.

To help relieve the pain, use ice on the affected area for fifteen minutes or so and then a fifteen minute break. Use an anti-inflamatory such as Advil or Alieve or one you may have been given as a prescription. If you have a spint, wear it. If you still have discomfort, please call our office.

If you think you are having a bad reaction to this or any treatment, call our office.

Q: I'm uncertain if I'm having an allergic reaction to a medicine you prescribed for me. What should I do?
A: A true allergic reaction comes in the most common form as a rash and this typically occurs within a few hours of taking the medicine. Extreme allergies cause shortness of breath and can be a medical emergency-if this is occurring to you, proceed immediately to the Emergency Room.

Allergies are not nausea or stomach aches. Often this occurs because you are taking the medication on an empty stomach; try eating a snack when you take the medicine.

Q: I have heard that there is a laser treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome. Do you offer this treatment?
A: Our Center offers comprehensive care for carpal tunnel syndrome. Click here for detailed information about this commonly misunderstood condition.

Q: When can I return to the exercise or strength training program?
A: The therapists will assess your strength and ability to return to these activities as soon as the doctor states that strengthening is appropriate and there is no danger of re-injury.

Questions About Surgery:

Q: Where do you do your surgery?
A: Our surgeons operate at the Naugatuck Valley Surgical Center, St. Mary's Hospital, and Waterbury Hospital.

Q: What is the recovery time for surgery?
A: All surgery recovery times are dependant on the type of surgery and on the individual. Please speak with your doctor or hand therapist for more information about your particular situation or concerns.

Q: I just had surgery, when can I shower?
A: Patients should not get their bandages, wounds or stitches wet, this can lead to a moist wound and infections. Showering should be done with a plastic bag over the area to keep it dry. If the area gets wet accidentally, you should contact the office immediately and you will be instructed on what to do. Most patients are usually allowed to begin showering without a cover over the bandage after the stitches are removed.

You may use any of a number of items to cover your hand or arm. Simple plastic bags do just fine. Drug stores and orthopedic stores offer specialized covers between the $15 to $30 price range.

If just a little water gets on the bandage you may use a hair dryer to dry it. If there is any question the water traveled as deep as the skin and wound, call the office for further advice.

Q: I just had surgery, when can I start driving?
A: We recommend that patients avoid driving until they have regained normal use of their hand. We understand that it can be very difficult and inconvenient to depend on others for transportation, however, limitations in motion, weakness, pain or medications can create significant safety issues and endanger the patient or others.

Questions About Splints, Casts and Bandages:

Q: Can I shower with my splint, cast or bandage on?
A: This depends on the type of injury and the type of splint you have. If you were given a removable splint and your Therapist or Doctor stated you may remove the splint, then you may do so for showering. If you have a non-removable splint placed by the Emergency Room or your Doctor, then this splint must remain in place and covered for showering. Fresh trauma wounds or surgical wounds may not get wet and require covering. You may use any of a number of items to cover your hand or arm. Simple plastic bags do just fine. Drug stores and orthopedic stores offer specialized covers between the $15 to $30 price range. (Sometimes our patients are provided with removable splints. You should discuss this with your doctor or hand therapist to be sure you are using your splint correctly.)

Q: What do I do if I get my cast or bandage wet?
A: That depends on what kind of cast or bandage you have, and how wet it has gotten. If just a little water gets on the bandage you may use a hair dryer to dry it. If there is any question the water traveled as deep as the skin and wound, call the office for further advice. Please call our office and speak with one of our medical assistants or hand therapists who can help you. If it is after hours, and you are concerned, please call our office where you will be routed to our answering service and our physician on call.

Q: What do I do if my cast or bandage feels too tight?
A: Make sure you are elevating the surgical area above your heart-preferably as high as your chin or nose. Think of creating a waterfall where the surgical area is on top, up high, to drain the swelling fluid back into the body. The heart is a powerful pump; make it hard to pump swelling fluid up to the surgical area. You may also use ice on the area for about fifteen minutes on and then a rest for fifteen minutes. If after you have made this adjustment and feel no better after an hour, call our office to discuss further with our medical assistants. There are occasions where a bandage change is needed.

Q: The therapists made a splint for me and it feels too tight or it's rubbing me, what should I do?
A: You should call the office immediately and speak to one of the therapists who will give you personalized instructions depending on the type of splint you have. You may be asked to return to the office to have an adjustment made to the splint or be given instructions you can do at home. Please do not modify the splint without speaking to one of our staff first. If it is after hours and the office is closed, you can try to pad the splint with cotton or tissues to alleviate the pressure.

Insurance, Billing and Financial Questions:

Q: Does your office participate with CIGNA?
A: No, unfortunately we do not. Click here to view a list of the insurance companies we participate with and accept in our office.

Q: Do I need a referral to come to your facility?
A: Each insurance company and plan is different. Please check on your insurance card or call your insurance carrier to determine whether you need a referral to come to this "specialist" practice. It is your responsibility to obtain any referrals required by your insurance plan.

Q: Does my insurance cover splints?
A: Each carrier and plan insurance is different. Please call your insurance carrier to discuss the coverage limits of your plan. Generally speaking,

Medicare does not pay for splints or other durable medical equipment (DME) supplies because our office is not a Medicare DME Provider.
Some insurances pay 100% some pay 80% of the billed amount.
Some insurance's apply DME products to your annual deductible.

Q: If I am a Worker's Comp patient, how long will it take for services such as therapy, splints, injections, x-rays, EMG or nerve studies, MRI, CT scans, or surgery to be approved by my Worker's Comp Insurance Carrier?
A: Generally the process takes no longer than 3-5 business days, although surgery approvals may take 1-2 weeks depending on the severity of your injury, and your Worker's Comp Carrier.

Q: Is there a co-pay with my visit?
A: Most insurance plans have a co-pay each time you see the doctor or attend hand therapy. Please refer to your insurance card and/or contact your insurance carrier to discuss the coverage limits of your plan. If you are unable to pay your co-pay at the time of your visit, we will need to reschedule your visit.

Q: Will you submit all claims directly to my Insurance carrier?
A: Yes. We have our own billing team in-house and process claims for our patients daily. We submit directly both to primary, secondary and tertiary general health insurance carriers as well as Worker's Compensation carriers.

Questions About Hand Therapy:

Q: I had therapy today and now I am more sore than before my treatment. What should I do?
A: If it is during office hours, you should call and speak to the therapist who treated you. They can discuss your symptoms and will know what the best course of action is. If your therapist is not available, one of the other therapists will gladly assist you. If it is after hours and the pain is mild to moderate, you can try to elevate the body part, and apply either heat or ice to alleviate muscle or joint pain. If is after hours and the pain is moderate to severe, call our office where you will be transferred to our answering service and the physician on call.

Q: The therapist gave me some new exercises, but when I got home and tried them, they caused me pain.
A: Stop doing the exercise. You may review your home plan at your next visit with the therapist or you can call the office to notify the therapist. The therapy staff will follow-up with you and instruct you on whether to re-start the exercises or to discontinue them temporarily. Do not restart any exercises that are causing pain at an unreasonable level until they are reviewed by our staff.

Q: The splint is rubbing, what should I do?
A: For each splint an instruction form is provided. Contact the therapists and schedule an appointment for an adjustment.