Physiotherapists
Assess and treat joints, muscles, tendons and nerves of the whole upper limb, with particular focus on post-operative shoulder and elbow rehabilitation.
Hand therapy · Wrist · Elbow · Shoulder
Empowering your recovery.
Sydney Rehab is a specialist upper limb clinic. Our physiotherapists, occupational therapists and exercise physiologists help you recover from injury and surgery, from the fingertips to the shoulder, and get back to the work and play you love.
No referral needed for private patientsCustom splints made in clinicWorkers compensation and DVA welcome
Upper limb specialists
From shoulder to fingertip, one connected plan.
The hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder work as one chain. A stiff shoulder changes how you use your wrist; a weak grip changes how you lift. We assess the whole limb, explain what we find in plain language, and build a programme around your goals.
Whether you are six weeks out from a tendon repair, managing arthritis in your thumb, or trying to get back to the golf course, your care is led by a clinician experienced in upper limb rehabilitation.
What we do
Comprehensive therapy services
Every programme starts with a thorough assessment and is delivered one-on-one, with the same clinician wherever possible.
- Heat
- Mould
- Fit
Made to measure
Custom splints, moulded in the room
An off-the-shelf brace fits an average hand. A custom orthosis fits yours. We shape low-temperature thermoplastic directly on your hand at the appointment, so it protects exactly what needs protecting and leaves free what should keep moving.
- Material
- Low-temperature thermoplastic, perforated for airflow
- Made
- On the day, usually within your first consultation
- Used for
- Fractures, tendon repairs, ligament injuries, arthritis, nerve compression
- Adjusted
- At review visits as swelling settles and healing progresses
Your recovery
How treatment works
Most people know within the first visit what is wrong, how long recovery should take, and what they can do at home to help.
- 1
Assess
A detailed history and hands-on examination of movement, strength, sensation and swelling. We review any scans and surgical notes you bring.
- 2
Explain & plan
A clear diagnosis, realistic timeframes and a written plan that fits your work, sport and daily routine.
- 3
Treat
Splinting, manual therapy, scar and swelling care, and graded exercise. We keep your surgeon or GP informed.
- 4
Return
Strength and task-specific training to get you back to the keyboard, the tools of your trade or the court.
Conditions we treat
From a jammed finger to a rebuilt shoulder
If it affects how you use your arm or hand, we can help. These are some of the conditions we see most often.
For GPs, surgeons and case managers
Referring a patient?
We see post-operative patients promptly, follow your protocol, and send a written report after the initial assessment and at key milestones.
Services
Photo: Jeremy Kwok / Unsplash
Therapy for the whole upper limb
Hand therapy, shoulder rehabilitation, post-surgical care and injury prevention, delivered by clinicians who focus on the arm and hand.
Our team
Three disciplines, one plan
Physiotherapists, occupational therapists and exercise physiologists work side by side here. You see the clinician whose skills best suit your stage of recovery, and they share one plan and one set of notes.
Conditions
Conditions we treat
Choose a region to narrow the list. If you can't see your condition, call us: chances are we treat it.
Patient information
Photo: Sung Jin Cho / Unsplash
Your first visit
What to bring, how long it takes, and how fees and funding work.
Before you arrive
What to bring
Your first appointment runs for about 45 to 60 minutes. Please arrive ten minutes early to complete a short new-patient form.
- Your referral letter, if you have one (needed for workers compensation, motor accident, DVA and Medicare-funded care)
- X-rays, scans and reports, or the name of the imaging provider
- Operation notes or your surgeon's post-operative protocol
- Any splint, brace or sling you have been given
- Your claim number and case manager details for insurance claims
- Your private health insurance card, or Medicare or DVA card
- Loose sleeves, so we can examine the whole arm
- If it's a work or sport task that hurts, bring the tool or a short video of you doing it
Fees & funding
Ways to pay
Private patients do not need a referral. Fees are payable on the day unless your care is funded by an approved claim.
Private health insurance
Claim on the spot with HICAPS. Rebates depend on your fund and level of extras cover. Custom splints are usually claimed separately with your fund.
Medicare
With a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan and referral, you may be eligible for a rebate on up to five allied health visits a year.
Workers compensation
Injured at work in NSW? Bring your claim number and insurer details. Once treatment is approved, your insurer pays us directly.
Motor accident (CTP)
For injuries from a motor vehicle accident, we liaise with your CTP insurer once your claim is accepted.
DVA
Veterans with a Gold or White Card can be treated with a valid referral from their GP or specialist.
NDIS
Self-managed and plan-managed participants are welcome. Ask us about service agreements.
Questions
Frequently asked
Do I need a referral?
Not for private appointments. You will need one for workers compensation, motor accident, DVA or Medicare-funded care.
What is a hand therapist?
A physiotherapist or occupational therapist with advanced training in the hand and upper limb. Hand therapists manage injuries and conditions from the fingertips to the shoulder, and often work closely with hand surgeons.
How soon after surgery should I come in?
Usually within the first one to two weeks, or as your surgeon advises. Early splinting and movement within safe limits makes a real difference to tendon and fracture outcomes.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on the injury. A simple splint fitting may need two visits; a tendon repair often needs care over ten to twelve weeks. We give you an estimate at your first appointment.
Can I get wet with my splint?
Thermoplastic splints can be removed for washing unless we tell you otherwise. We'll show you how to take it off and put it back on safely.
What if I need to cancel?
Please give us at least 24 hours' notice so we can offer the time to someone else.
For health professionals
Referring to Sydney Rehab
For GPs, hand and orthopaedic surgeons, rheumatologists, case managers and insurers.
What you can expect
Prompt, protocol-led care
- 1
Send the referral
Email the referral, operation notes and protocol to info@sydneyrehab.com.au, or call 1300 969 600. Please include imaging and any restrictions.
- 2
We contact the patient
We call your patient to book, prioritising post-operative cases and acute fractures.
- 3
Initial report
You receive a written summary of our findings and treatment plan after the first consultation.
- 4
Ongoing updates
We report at key milestones and contact you promptly with any concerns.
Common referrals
What we're referred for
- Post-operative tendon repair, tendon transfer and nerve repair rehabilitation
- Fracture management, including custom thermoplastic splints and casts
- Post-operative care after carpal tunnel, trigger finger, Dupuytren's and joint replacement surgery
- Shoulder rehabilitation after rotator cuff repair, stabilisation or arthroplasty
- Conservative management of arthritis, tendinopathy and nerve compression
- Workplace injury, functional assessment and return-to-work planning
About us
Photo: Nico Smit / Unsplash
Empowering your recovery
Our mission is to keep you strong, active, pain-free and healthy.
Who we are
A Sydney clinic for the upper limb
Sydney Rehab specialises in rehabilitation of the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder for people recovering from injury or surgery.
We focus on one part of the body so we can do it well. That means quicker answers, splints made for your hand, and exercise programmes built around the tasks you need to get back to. We aim to give you the strength and confidence to keep doing the activities you love.
Our clinicians
The team
Occupational therapists
Hand therapy, custom splinting, scar and swelling management, and practical strategies to return to work and daily tasks.
Exercise physiologists
Progressive strength and conditioning programmes that rebuild capacity and lower the risk of re-injury.
Commitment to patient care
Personal plans
No two hands are the same. Your plan is built around your injury, your job and your goals.
Clear explanations
You will understand what is wrong, why we are doing each exercise, and what to expect next.
Working with your doctors
We keep your GP and surgeon informed, and follow their protocols after surgery.
Back to what matters
Success is measured by what you can do again: hold your child, grip a racquet, get through a full work day.
Contact
Photo: Jeremy Kwok / Unsplash
Book an assessment
Call us, email us, or send an enquiry and we'll get back to you within one business day.
Get in touch
- Phone
- 1300 969 600
- info@sydneyrehab.com.au
- Web
- sydneyrehab.com.au
- Clinic
- [Street address]
Sydney NSW [postcode] - Hours
- By appointment
[Opening hours]
Sydney Rehab
Ready to get your hand back to work?
Call 1300 969 600 or book online. No referral needed for private patients.