Instructional Concurrent Session 7

Brachial plexus injuries are anatomically complex and not only have a profound effect on physical function but also on patients’ psychosocial, professional, and financial wellbeing. The clinical management of brachial plexus injuries therefore necessitates a holistic team approach. This talk presents our practice model of a brachial plexus clinic with six disciplines contributing to evaluation and treatment: peripheral nerve surgeon, physiatrist, hand therapist, pain psychologist, research coordinator, and social worker. Our clinic’s hand surgeon and hand therapist will discuss their unique contributions to the management of these complex injuries. Therapy plays a role in the evaluation through manual muscle testing of intraplexal muscles/nerves to localize nerve injury, assess return of function, and identify potential donors for nerve or tendon transfers. The surgeon collaborates with the therapist regarding surgical planning, pre and post-operative management, and ongoing supportive care to address neuropathic pain, psychosocial and functional needs. Together all disciplines offer a unique but crucial role in helping those with a devastating injuries optimize their quality of life.

Level: Advanced

Discover the pivotal role hand therapists play in managing peripheral nerve entrapments. This session will explore how therapists, through their extensive patient interactions, act as the eyes and ears of the surgeon, identifying subtle changes and nuances in patient symptoms. By leveraging their unique position, therapists can provide critical insights that guide surgical decisions and enhance patient outcomes. Join us to learn effective assessment techniques, communication strategies, and therapeutic interventions that empower therapists to contribute significantly to the surgical team and patient care.

Level: Intermediate

This will be an interactive instructional session where participants will explore how to approach and design a post-operative plan in a case-based format. We will explore several cases, such as a new surgical procedure which was performed where there was no post-operative protocol ever used before, or a referral that was vague and the therapist had to create their own plan. This session is an intermediate level course, designed to be interactive with newer and experienced practicing hand therapists who are willing to challenge themselves and engage in clinical reasoning to push their skills. Evidence-based practice is often discussed, but it can be challenging to incorporate that concept into everyday practice in a busy clinic environment. How do you bridge that gap from evidence to practice? Together in this instructional workshop, we will explore ways to collaborate with the surgeon, gather existing evidence, brainstorm ideas with colleagues, and use clinical reasoning to develop a plan that will work for unique patient cases and situations to achieve the best possible functional outcomes.

Level: Intermediate