Instructional Concurrent Session 5

Date: Friday, October 24, 2025
Time: 11:15 AM to 12:15 PM

  • Are We Using Orthotic Mobilization Principles Effectively? A Review of Currently Accepted Practices

    Description

    Are your mobilization orthotics built for success? You may know how to fabricate a static progressive or dynamic orthosis, but are you following the key principles that ensure optimal patient outcomes? Many hand therapists receive minimal formal training in mobilization orthotics, leaving room for uncertainty in design, force application, and effectiveness. This session will break down currently accepted mobilization principles into a clear and practical format. Through real-world case studies and interactive discussion, we’ll evaluate common pitfalls and explore best practices to ensure that your patients receive the most effective and efficient care. Join this session to gain practical insights, refine your approach, and ensure your mobilization orthotics are as effective as possible. Walk away with the knowledge and confidence to apply these principles correctly and make a real impact on your patients’ recovery.

    Level: Intermediate

    Objectives

    1. Explain the biomechanical and anatomical considerations that influence the effectiveness of mobilization orthotics

    2. Demonstrate an understanding of force application and tissue tolerance in mobilization orthotics to optimize patient outcomes

    3. Evaluate common errors in mobilization orthotic fabrication and application, using case studies to identify areas for improvement

    Speakers
    Eli Yovits, OTR/L, CHT

  • Blazing the Trail Together: A Collaborative Evaluation Model for Pediatric Hand Surgery

    Description

    This session is designed to share a collaborative approach hand therapists and hand surgeons can apply to pre-surgical assessment for children who are considering elective hand surgery. The lecture content will provide an overview of the surgeon’s perspective in this model, as well as the therapist’s approach to this form of evaluation. The therapist’s application of goal setting with the child and family and how the therapist/surgeon team applies the goals to inform shared surgical decision making will be demonstrated through case examples. Course participants will be engaged in discussion of case examples and question and answer with the instructors to facilitate translation of the content into practical clinical application.

    Level: Intermediate

    Objectives

    1. Describe the type of clinical presentations that benefit from a collaborative pre-surgical evaluation

    2. Discuss the features of a presurgical evaluation that are valuable to informing the hand surgeon’s treatment plan and patient-centered shared decision making

    3. Name two or more specific evaluation approaches for conducting a multidisciplinary patient-centered pre-surgical assessment for the pediatric hand population

    Speakers
    Roger Cornwall, MD
    Jenny Dorich, PhD, MBA, OTR/L, CHT
    Amanda Holland, OT

  • Targeted Brain Rehabilitation: A Virtual Reality Training Program to Treat Phantom Limb Pain

    Description

    In this concurrent session, attendees will be introduced to a scientifically based rehabilitation program using virtual reality for patients with phantom limb pain. The Targeted Brain Rehabilitation (TBR) program includes re-training laterality recognition, guided meditation, a virtual mirror feedback, and guided phantom limb control. Attendees will learn the rationale and design of TBR, how to incorporate this treatment technique into a rehabilitation program, and have the opportunity to trial the TBR system in a VR headset.

    Level: Entry

    Objectives

    1. Describe the rationale for targeted brain rehabilitation.

    2. Independently navigate the virtual reality treatment system.

    3. Demonstrate the ability to facilitate targeted brain rehabilitation virtual reality therapy in patients with phantom limb pain.

    Speakers
    Glenn Gaston, MD
    Bryan J. Loeffler, MD
    Marcie Siebert, MS, OTR/L, CHT

  • The Rational Clinical Exam of the Hand and Wrist

    Description

    This interactive tutorial offers a hands-on approach to evidence-based examination of the hand and wrist. Participants will work in pairs to master a systematic protocol informed by the latest biomechanical and anatomical research. Participants will learn to correlate physical findings with underlying anatomical structure, recognize patterns of dysfunction, differentiate between similar pathologies, and apply and interpret provocative tests. Attendees will develop a structured approach that enhances clinical efficiency and diagnostic accuracy, leading to more targeted treatment plans based on sound biomechanical principles.

    Level: Intermediate

    Objectives

    1. Perform a systematic clinical examination of the hand and wrist that integrates current biomechanical principles with efficient, evidence-based assessment techniques

    2. Accurately interpret clinical tests for common hand and wrist pathologies by recognizing both positive findings and potential false positives influenced by adjacent structures

    3. Apply specific provocative examination techniques to differentiate between related conditions affecting the triangular fibrocartilage complex, scapholunate ligament, and intrinsic musculature

    Speakers
    Travis Doering, MD
    Emily Skoza Brackenridge, MS, OTR/L, CHT