Not your ordinary splinting workshop! This intermediate to advanced  level, intensive splinting workshop focuses on a biomechanical  approach to remodeling of the hand and upper extremity as developed in  the life work of surgeon Paul W. Brand and therapist colleagues in  team treatment.

Learn about the history of splinting, and the progression of splint  techniques. Understand how and why new techniques were developed, and  use the knowledge in your decision making process to fabricate  biomechanically correct splints. Understand the shortcomings and  limitations of certain splinting techniques and the benefits of  others. Fabricate low temperature thermoplastic splints and plaster of  paris splints for a variety of UE conditions.

PLEASE BRING ALONG AN OLD SHIRT OR APRON FOR "PLASTER LAB'", SPLINTING SCISSORS, A SMALL GONIOMETER, AND A HOLE PUNCH --ALL LABELED WITH YOUR NAME.

Program subject to change. Participants are cautioned to apply new information and skills within the scope of state licensure law.

 Course Objectives:

Upon completion of workshop, therapist will:

• a biomechanical approach to correction of deformity and rebalancing of hand function
• a biomechanical approach to splint fabrication
• measurement of splint forces
• methodology for evaluating and objectively measuring splints and patient results with splints
• the interface of tissue with materials
• optimal use of splint materials with their physical property advantages in mind
• review and reference to the new Splint Classification system, and the books "Clinical Mechanics of the Hand" by Brand and Hollister, and "Hand and Upper Extremity Splinting: Principles and Methods" by Fess, et al

Participants will have the opportunity to learn about and fabricate:

• plaster of Paris finger splints for joint and tissue remodeling
• hand-based splint for balancing of intrinsic minus hand, and transfer of moment for finger extension
• forearm-based splint for rebalancing/remodeling flexor tendon tightness includes outriggers

Upon completion of this workshop, participants will:

• understand the underlying principles behind soft tissue contracture and joint stiffness
• know what is needed to reverse joint stiffness and contractures for prevention or correction of deformity
• be familiar with/known sources for information:
  • on the new splint classification system
  • for understanding the mechanics of the hand
  • on the approach to treatment based on evidence-based practice
• gain hands-on experience with splinting materials that can be used for tissue remodeling
• have increased understanding of how splints can best be used as adjunctive tools in patient treatment
• know how to fabricate splints from a structural standpoint
• have an increased understanding of how to select and use materials to interface with soft tissue, and
• how to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of various materials based on their physical properties

CE Credits

14 contact hours in upper extremity and hand therapy education

Accepted by NBCOT*,  HTCC+, and most state OT regulatory boards. Check with your state  board to verify. Certificate of attendance will be issued to all participants upon completion of the workshop and may be used for CEU verification of credits.

*NBCOT...National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapy (view PDU requirements)
+HTCC... Hand Therapy Certification Commission  (view recertification requirements)

Judith Bell Krotoski OTR, FAOTA, CHT is an occupational therapist and certified hand therapist with over 30 years of clinical experience including adaptive hand splinting for various disabilities. She is a strong proponent for a biomechanical approach to the remodeling of soft tissue and correction of the hand and upper extremity developed by Paul W Brand. Paul Brand has been recognized as the hand surgeon most responsible for the development of the concept of "hand therapy". She worked extensively with Dr. Paul Brand and the Rehabilitation Research Laboratory he established at the National Hansen's Disease Program, United States Public Health Service Hospital, formerly located at Carville, LA, and during the time he was a surgical consultant to the U.S. Public Health Service Hospital for seamen, formally in New Orleans, LA. She had the opportunity to work with Dr. Dan Riordan who was responsible for bringing Dr. Brand to the U.S., and served as a consultant to the Carville hospital for many years. She also had the opportunity for further specialization in hand therapy through working with Drs. James Hunter and Lawrence Schneider, and therapist Evelyn Mackin, at the Hand Rehabilitation Center in Philadelphia during the early years of the establishment of this second "Hand Center" in the U.S.

Judy is known and respected internationally for her role in developing monofilaments to advanced levels as objective sensibility test instruments, and for her extensive research in the area of sensibility testing, objective measurement of peripheral neuropathy, validation of objective testing, biomechanics of deformity and correction, and disability prevention.

She is one of the original six organizers, past president, of the American Society of Hand Therapists, and a founding and current Board member of the American Hand Therapy Foundation. She was one of the early initiators and advocate of a journal for hand therapists, and served as a member of Editorial Board for the Journal of Hand Therapy for many years. Most recently she has been involved in encouraging evidence-based practice by developing a therapist research and education website for the American Hand Therapy Foundation (ahtf.org), and working with HANDSIGHTS, a special interest group of hand therapists attending the American Society for Surgery of the Hand Meetings.

Judy has published numerous articles and chapters in hand therapy and surgery literature, including chapters on splinting. She was a co-editor on the first edition of the book "Rehabilitation of the Hand", by Hunter et al, and has subsequent chapters in all further editions including the most recent "Rehabilitation of the Hand and Upper Extremity by Mackin et al. She has writings in the books "Tendon Surgery in the Hand", and "Tendon and Nerve Surgery in the Hand, by Hunter et al. She has splinting chapters in the book "Hand Splinting" by Fess, et al, and has co-authored chapters in the book "Peripheral Nerve Injuries", by Omer et al. Her writings in journal publications include the Journal of Hand Surgery, and Journal of Hand Therapy. She lectures nationally and internationally on a wide variety of topics related to the hand and to upper extremity rehabilitation and splinting, recently giving a two week lectureship series to hand centers through a grant sponsored by the Ministries of Health, in Singapore.

Elaine Ewing Fess, MS, OTR, FAOTA, CHT is an occupational therapist specializing in hand therapy for thirty-seven years, and is an enthusiastic advocate of evidence-based-practice. She currently teaches and conducts independent research relating to hand rehabilitation. Elaine is a frequent faculty member on national and international symposia relating to hand rehabilitation.

Elaine Fess served as the first statistics editor of the Journal of Hand Therapy (1988-1998); received ASHT's highest honor--the Lifetime Fellowship Award (1999); and is the immediate past Chairman of the American Hand Therapy Foundation (1996-2004). She has authored over 90 professional publications. Elaine was lead author on all three editions of Hand and Upper Extremity Splinting Principles and Methods (Mosby/Elsevier, St Louis, MO (1981, 1987, 2005)

 

Tuition

Note: Early Bird rates are in effect if your application is postmarked four weeks or more prior to registration.	Early Bird Rate	Late Registration Rate
Splinting for Joint Stiffness, Tissue Remodeling and Correction of the Hand: A Biomechanical Approach	$450	$500

Dates & Locations

There are no scheduled workshops at this time.

INTERESTED IN HOSTING? PLEASE CALL 845-368-2458 OR E-MAIL info@RehabEd.com