Splinting the Hand, Wrist, and Elbow
The art of custom splinting is an often frustrating and challenging skill to master. Invariably we find our best efforts in a pile of very expensive and awkward to handle mass of materials leaving both our patients and ourselves baffled by the outcome. Taking control of the materials through understanding their properties, characteristics and “feel”, along with a strong foundation of upper extremity biomechanics and surface anatomy can quickly turn the tables in your favor. Holding true to the title, these clinicians have created a remarkable formula for mastering splint fabrication in an introductory environment that incorporates ample opportunity to both observe and fabricate custom splinting, all the while, sharing the dos and don’ts that can only come from 20 years of trial and error. A fun, relaxed and non-intimidating workshop developed to replace frustrated and baffled with enlightened and confident. Diagnosis and conditions covered in this workshop include fractures, arthritis, contractures, CTDs and wounds. Emphasis is placed on replicating the actual patient environment. Course handouts and labs are designed to allow immediate clinical application of splinting techniques.
Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation in Orthopedic Patients
This two-day, evidenced based, laboratory intensive course will focus on teaching a historically useful manual therapy technique, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF). The course introduces PNF as a manual therapy and exercise intervention technique to address common pathologies of both upper and lower extremities. The course is intended to provide the clinician with the skill to rehabilitate the patient with a hands-on, integrative approach. This will be accomplished through a combination of lecture, demonstration, and significant lab time. The structured sessions are aimed at emphasizing important concepts in neurophysiology and motor learning to improve neuromuscular control in orthopedic patients. Mastery of these techniques requires a solid foundation in basic anatomy and the pathomechanics of the shoulder and hip. Attendees will learn useful terminology, basic procedures, and techniques.
Participants will learn to successfully apply PNF techniques in a manner that each patient-centered session is both therapeutic intervention and assessment or evaluation. The clinician will learn to develop and sequence a dynamic treatment plan incorporating PNF techniques that can be used for conservative and post-operative approaches. Current clinical evidence supports the combination of these treatments when properly performed and prescribed by a skilled clinician. Strategies for documentation and coding will also be covered.