Instructional Concurrent Session 5

Progression of treatment in hand therapy is often guided by biological healing timelines, time-based protocols or individual experience, leaving clinicians uncertain about when to advance, modify, or pause intervention. This session introduces a structured, criteria-based decision architecture to support treatment progression under conditions of clinical uncertainty.

Participants will be introduced to a five-signal model that integrates biological constraints, irritability profile, load tolerance, movement integrity, and functional demand. Rather than relying on isolated indicators (e.g., pain or time since surgery), this model emphasizes convergence of clinical signals to identify progression thresholds and guide decision-making. The session will highlight how progression may involve advancing different variables, including load, complexity, speed, or endurance, based on patient presentation.

Instructional methods will include brief didactic framing followed by case-based application. Clinical scenarios (e.g., post-fracture stiffness, tendon repair, high irritability presentations) will be used to demonstrate how the model is applied in practice. Participants will engage in guided decision-making exercises, identifying whether to advance, hold, or modify treatment and selecting appropriate progression strategies based on presented findings.

Common cognitive errors that influence progression decisions, including overreliance on time-based protocols and misinterpretation of symptom response, will be addressed. Practical tools will be provided, including a progression checklist and sample documentation language to support clear, defensible decision-making.

This session provides a repeatable approach to progression decisions that strengthens clinical judgment, reduces uncertainty, and supports more confident, precise advancement of care

Level: Intermediate, Advanced

Healing after upper extremity injury or limb loss goes far beyond the physical. This talk highlights the psychological impact of loss and the power of restoring identity, function and quality of life.

Level: Intermediate

This presentation will explore the stressors of such a specialized clinical practice and encourage active rehabilitation of the professional mindset. The course will begin by defining what imposter syndrome and occupational burnout and one can closely lead to the other. Several evidence-based articles will be included into the presentation to show the relevance of both of these topics and how they play into the role of the hand therapist or health care provider. There will be active learning opportunities to engage participants to develop their own plan of care to break free from the imposter phenomenon.

Level: Entry, Intermediate

Advocacy is more than a concept; it is a core responsibility for every member of our profession. Whether we are raising awareness, educating others, shaping public opinion, improving systems, or protecting the interests of our community, advocacy ensures that our work remains visible, valued, and impactful. As our professional landscape continues to evolve, the need for informed, confident, and engaged advocates has never been greater.

This session will highlight the many pathways through which professionals can influence change. We will explore opportunities ranging from public speaking and mentoring students to legislative engagement, community outreach, and interprofessional collaboration. Participants will learn practical tools and communication strategies that strengthen their ability to advocate effectively in a variety of settings. The session will also emphasize confidence‑building techniques to help individuals speak with clarity and purpose–whether in the workplace, in the community, or in policy discussions.

By the end of the session, attendees will have a deeper understanding of how advocacy can be integrated into everyday practice and how each professional, regardless of role or experience level, can contribute meaningfully to advancing the field.

Level: Intermediate

Relative motion extension orthoses have been used for over 40 years as an effective intervention for zone IV and V extensor tendon injuries and repairs by promoting early active mobilization of involved digits thus limiting the impacts of scar formation and stiffness in the involved digits. Recent research suggests that relative motion orthoses have the potential to effectively address a variety of other hand conditions from sagittal band injuries to Boutonniere deformities to stiffness of the proximal interphalangeal joint due to fracture or dislocation. One intriguing concept currently emerging is the use of relative motion flexion orthoses as an intervention tool for Zone I-III flexor tendon lacerations and repairs to achieve early controlled active mobilization. This interactive instructional session will explore the design concepts and reasoning, clinical decision making, and current hand therapy literature, practice, and clinical outcomes regarding relative motion flexion orthosis use with patients who have zone I-III flexor tendon repairs. A case study will be presented to demonstrate how these concepts were brought together to manage a patient with a zone II flexor tendon laceration using a relative motion flexion orthosis to achieve early active mobilization.

Level: Intermediate