Upper Extremity Orthotic Fabrication for Function (Valentino - Live Interactive Webinar)

Course overview

Orthotic development is a clinical skill which facilitates safe healing, joint protection, and functional mobilization for both post-surgical and conservative hand therapy patients. Developing strategies which facilitate cohesion between mobilization and tissue safety is crucial to achieve the best possible outcomes for clients as they return to function activities requiring gripping, object manipulation, tool use, and occupation. Schofield and Schwartz (2018) highlighted the need for competent instructional video guides for therapists new to orthotic fabrication as many turn to the internet for guides which may not be authored by skilled instructors. This course aims to provide both written, video, and live demonstration guides on the complete orthotic fabrication process and uses for several common hand therapy patients entering clinics today. The goal of the course is to develop a functional "start to finish" understanding of how to develop the orthotics and apply them to your clinical course of treatment. Attendees will be guided through the fabrication process of many hand and wrist orthotics to develop and execute their skills in fabrication and clinical application of functional orthotics in live labs. Participants will apply functional positioning requirements to orthotic fabrication to maximize outcome for return to activity performance (ADL, IADL, and Occupational tasks) following orthotic use. Participants will be able to identify needed materials and apply protocols for immediate in-clinic application and utilization.