Orthotic and Splinting Workshop for Neurologic and Musculoskeletal Conditions

This specialized hands-on one-day course will be a valuable learning opportunity for occupational and physical

therapists who want to develop strategies to evaluate and fabricate upper extremity orthoses (splints) for adult

and pediatric patients with neurologic and musculoskeletal conditions. Participants will gain knowledge and

skill through didactic lectures with questions & answers, demonstrations, hands-on experiences, and clinical

case scenarios.

Information provided in this course will include:

1. Common adult and pediatric conditions which may benefit from custom made orthoses

2. Overview of orthotic intervention principles and techniques for adult and pediatric clients

3. Assessments evaluation tools to measure hand function

4. Decision making skills for determining the appropriate use of orthotic interventions

5. Methods to enhance compliance with use and wear of the orthoses

6. Methods to encourage cooperation during fabrication of orthotics with pediatric clients

7. Review of prefabricated orthoses for adult and pediatric patients

Learning Objectives:

After completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Identify basic reasons for splinting the upper extremity and understand the difference between types of splints including static, dynamic, and static progressive 

2. Identify the different types of splinting material properties and how they affect fabrication of the splint/orthosis. 

3. Understand current splinting supplies (i.e. Velcro, strapping materials) that are needed to fabricate a variety of splints.

4. Fabricate at least six upper extremity splints according to the appropriate joint (thumb, wrist, and elbow) and diagnosis.

5. Apply the general principles of upper extremity splinting to pediatric and adult case studies.

 Splints You Will Learn to Fabricate:

• Thumb
• Webspace/MP and CMC stabilization splint (peds)
• Thumb spica splint (adult or peds)
• Wrist (could be adult or peds)
• Volar-based wrist cock-up splint
• Dorsal-based wrist cock-up splint
• Resting hand splint
• Elbow (for peds and adults)
• Elbow extension splint  

Presented by: Patty Coker-Bolt, PhD, OTR/L, FNAP, FAOTA, Professor in the Division of Occupational Therapy at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) in Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.A.