This 2-day course is designed for the attendees (OT, PT, COTA, PTA, CHT) to improve their immobilization, mobilization orthosis fabrication skills and increase knowledge with clinical application. The participant will successfully experience a variety of thermoplastics of different thickness and characteristics. They will learn to design patterns and fabricate hand and forearm based orthoses. It will include: static, static-progressive, dynamic and torque transmission.
The labs include ongoing discussions of the integration of the lecture material as it applies to the specifics of each orthosis made. Student to faculty is a maximum of 6 students to 1 instructor.
LECTURE
- Functional anatomy and anatomical considerations
- Brief overview of the stiff hand
- ASHT Splint Classification System
- Billing information related to orthotic use
- Immobilization and mobilization orthotic fabrication principles, designs and biomechanics as it relates to the kinesiology of UE
- Orthotic fabrication precautions and clinical applications
- Analysis of thermoplastics, strapping and padding choices
- Analysis of custom vs. pre-cut patterns
- Analysis of research pertaining to the use of mobilization and immobilization orthoses
- Wound healing and tissue response to all types of orthoses
- Wound healing and tissue response to mobilization orthoses
- Advanced analysis of the stiff hand and orthotic options
- Analysis of characteristics and designs of static-progressive, dynamic, serial static and torque transmission orthotic designs
- Clinical applications of mobilization and immobilization orthoses fabricated
LABS/DEMONSTRATIONS
- Tools, materials, application of principles of fabrication of immobilization and mobilization orthoses
- Design and pattern-making
- Fabrication and discussions: wrist immobilization orthosis
- Fabrication and discussions: thumb immobilization orthosis
- Fabrication and discussions: wrist/hand/thumb immobilization orthosis
- Fabrication and discussion: MPJ Flexion and MPJ Extension mobilization orthosis
- Fabrication and discussion: PIPJ Extension and PIPJ Flexion Torque Transmission orthoses
COURSE OBJECTIVES
- Identify surface/functional anatomy and considerations crucial to orthotic fabrication
- Describe principles of mechanics specific to immobilization and mobilization orthotic fabrication
- Describe pre-fabrication considerations related to patients functional/physical needs
- Identify 6 characteristics of thermoplastics and the clinical applications
- Demonstrate correct use of ASHT Splint Classification System
- Identify appropriate billing codes for orthoses fabricated
- Demonstrate understanding of current research related to immobilization and mobilization orthotic use
- Identify wound healing and scar formation and use of mobilization orthoses
- Identify the etiology of the stiff hand and orthosis options
- Demonstrate correct use of padding and strapping
- Design and fabricate correctly 3 immobilization and 4 mobilization orthoses
- Evaluate and describe the correct fit, clinical applications and effectiveness of each orthosis
COURSE SCHEDULE
DAY ONE
8:30-10:30 Lecture
10:30-10:45 Break
10:45-12:00 Lab and Discussion: Wrist Orthosis
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-3:00 Lab and Discussion: Wrist/Hand/Thumb Orthosis
3:00-3:15 Break
3:15-4:45 Lab and Discussion: Thumb Orthosis
4:45-5:00 Q&A
DAY TWO
8:30-10:30 Lecture
10:30-10:45 Break
10:45-12:00 Lab and Discussion: MP Flexion Mobilization Orthosis
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-3:00 Lab and Discussion: MP Extension Mobilization Orthosis
3:00-3:15 Break
3:15-4:45 Lab and Discussion: PIPJ Extension and Flexion Orthosis
4:45-5:00 Q&A
CONTACT HOURS: 14
STATE APPROVALS:
14 hours approved by CA OT Board
14 hours approved by CA OT Board for Advanced Practice in Hand Therapy (#12-H6)
14 hours approved by CA PT Board pending