Meet Certified Hand Therapist Katrina Rush, MOTR/L, CHT

A hand injury has a way of rearranging everything. Suddenly the simplest parts of the day, like brushing your teeth, buttoning a shirt, or holding a cup of coffee, take real effort, and the things that drew you to Jackson, like skiing, climbing, and riding, can feel a long way off. Teton Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation now offers specialized hand therapy to help close that gap, led by Katrina Rush, a Certified Hand Therapist who treats injuries and conditions of the hand, wrist, and elbow.

From mountain bike fractures to arthritis, Rush builds each treatment plan around getting patients back to the activities they love, and she makes custom splints right in the clinic. We sat down with her to learn more.

What drew you to hand therapy specifically?

After my hand therapy clinical in graduate school, I was immediately fascinated by the complexity of the hand. It's incredible how much anatomy and function exist in such a small space, and because our hands are essential to nearly everything we do, restoring their function can have a profound impact on daily life. I also love the creativity involved in fabricating custom splints and the variety that hand therapy offers. It seemed really fun! Every day brings new diagnoses, unique challenges, and opportunities to problem-solve. Most importantly, I enjoy helping people regain their independence and return to the activities they love, and that's what hand therapy is all about.

What conditions or injuries do you see most often, and who are the patients who tend to find their way to you?

I treat conditions affecting the hand, wrist, and elbow. Many of my patients are recovering from traumatic injuries, whether it's a fall while mountain biking, skiing, or climbing, or an injury sustained while working in construction. I also see many visitors who are injured while enjoying the area's outdoor recreation and need immediate surgery. Some of the most common injuries include elbow, wrist, and finger fractures; tendon and nerve lacerations and repairs; amputations; soft tissue injuries; and sprains. I see patients after surgery and can also provide conservative treatment when appropriate.

I also treat a variety of other conditions, including tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, de Quervain's tenosynovitis, lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), and triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injuries.

I make custom splints for just about every upper extremity diagnosis. I also make custom ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) for people after ankle surgery.

In addition, I work with patients who have progressive conditions such as arthritis, helping them reduce pain, improve function, and find practical solutions that make everyday tasks easier.

How would you describe your approach with patients, especially someone facing a long recovery or worried they won't get full function back?

A significant hand injury can be life-changing. It can affect someone's ability to work, participate in hobbies, and even accomplish the everyday tasks we often take for granted. One of the things I love most about being a therapist is that we get to spend meaningful time with our patients. We learn what motivates them, what challenges they're facing, and what goals matter most to them.

Because we live in such an active community, many of my patients are highly motivated to get back to the activities they enjoy. I like to establish both short- and long-term goals and create a plan that allows them to safely return to those activities. I think it's very important to celebrate the small victories along the way. In hand therapy, being able to brush your teeth, button a shirt, or hold a coffee mug again can be a huge milestone. Recognizing those successes helps patients stay motivated and reminds them that they're making progress, even when recovery feels slow.

I also enjoy thinking creatively to solve problems. With a little splint material and some ingenuity, we can create custom orthoses or adaptive devices that help someone safely hold a ski pole, grip a bike handlebar, paddle a raft, or do other meaningful activities while they're recovering.

I also feel fortunate to work alongside the outstanding hand surgeons and orthopedic providers in Jackson. Having such a collaborative team allows us to give patients the best possible care throughout their recovery.

What education, training, or certifications shaped how you practice?

I earned my master's degree in occupational therapy from Husson University, which gave me a strong foundation for my career. Since then, I've continued to pursue specialty certifications because I believe lifelong learning is essential to providing the best care.

I'm certified in lymphedema and wound care, both of which complement hand therapy because swelling and wound management are common parts of recovery for many upper extremity injuries.

One of the most meaningful milestones in my career was becoming a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT). This credential requires at least 4,000 hours of direct upper extremity clinical experience and passing a comprehensive certification exam. Preparing for the exam challenged me to study every aspect of hand and upper extremity anatomy, biomechanics, pathology, and rehabilitation. It deepened my clinical knowledge and made me a more thoughtful and well-rounded therapist.

I also enjoy collaborating with other healthcare professionals and contributing to the profession. I've served on the board of the Lymphology Association of North America, and I'm currently participating in the American Society of Hand Therapists Leadership Development Program, where I'll be presenting my project at the organization's annual conference. I also volunteer at the Teton Free Clinic, where I enjoy giving back to our community.

What brought you to Jackson, and what do you like to do when you're not at the clinic?

I'm originally from New York, but after spending a summer working at a camp in Colorado, I fell in love with the mountains and knew I wanted to build a life out West. My husband and I had friends in Jackson who connected us with job opportunities, and we moved here just two weeks after our wedding in 2018.

When I'm not at the clinic, you'll usually find me outside enjoying everything Jackson has to offer. I like to joke that I dabble in just about every mountain sport, from mountain biking, trail running, fishing, skiing, and snowmobiling to climbing. I recently started playing ice hockey, which has been a fun new challenge. One of the things I love most about Jackson is that there's always a new adventure waiting, every season.

Is there anything else you'd like patients to know about you?

I truly enjoy working with the people of Jackson and the surrounding communities, and I'm honored every time I get to be part of someone's recovery. Whether I see someone for months of rehabilitation or for a single visit to fabricate a custom splint before they continue care closer to home, I want every patient to feel heard, supported, and confident in their treatment plan.

Our hands are central to nearly everything we do, and I don't take the responsibility of caring for them lightly. I strive to stay current with the latest research and evidence-based practices so I can provide the highest-quality care and help every patient get back to the life they enjoy.

To schedule an appointment with Katrina Rush, OTR/L, CHT please call Teton Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation at (307) 739-1864.