Instructional Concurrent Session 8

This instructional session will provide hand therapists with evidence-based strategies for the prevention and management of De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, a common wrist and thumb overuse condition frequently referred to as “Mommy’s Thumb.” While new and expectant parents often receive extensive education on infant care, there are currently no structured, prevention-focused programs addressing the physical demands placed on the parent’s own upper extremities–representing a significant gap in care. This session will focus on identifying biomechanical, ergonomic, and occupational risk factors specific to the prenatal and postpartum periods and introduce early, preventative interventions aimed at reducing the risk of onset or exacerbation. Participants will learn practical strategies including ergonomic positioning during infant care tasks, joint protection techniques, activity modification, and client education to support sustained functional hand use. The course highlights the essential role of hand therapy in bridging this gap through proactive, preventative care to reduce the chronicity of this condition for new and expectant parents.

Level: Entry

Additive manufacturing is increasingly explored in orthotic fabrication; however, much of the innovation is currently driven by engineers and industry rather than clinicians. This session examines how hand therapists can actively participate in and lead digital orthotic design while preserving the clinical reasoning that defines our profession.

Participants will receive an overview of additive manufacturing as it relates to hand therapy, including various fabrication technologies and their respective advantages and limitations compared to traditional thermoplastic methods. Foundational principles of three dimensional scanning and digital workflow considerations will be introduced, along with a general overview of software approaches used in orthotic design.

Mechanical and material factors, including rigidity, flexibility, structural behavior, and print orientation, will be discussed in the context of clinical decision-making. Case examples will illustrate appropriate indications and realistic implementation strategies, highlighting when additive manufacturing may be most feasible, such as in chronic conditions or planned interventions, and when conventional fabrication remains preferable.

Barriers to integration, including cost, production time, and learning curve challenges, will also be addressed. By translating established therapeutic principles into digital design language, this session aims to bridge the gap between traditional orthotic practice and emerging fabrication technologies, empowering therapists to contribute meaningfully to the future of orthotic innovation.

Level: Intermediate

In 2019, the Journal of Sports Physical Therapy published the clinical practice guideline entitled "Hand Pain and Sensory Deficits: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Clinical Practice Guidelines Linked to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. In 2022 we began research to update those guidelines based on evidence published since November of 2018. This session presents the results of four years of evidence review, providing evidence supported information to guide clinicians in examination, evaluation and diagnosis, and non-surgical management for persons with suspected and confirmed carpal tunnel syndrome. Valid outcome measures are presented to assist in evaluating the efficacy of non-surgical symptom management and inform clinician and patient shared decision making for continuing or modifying non-surgical management or referring to other members of the extended medical team.

Level: Entry

This session is designed for practicing hand therapy clinicians who want to explore adding teaching as a next step in their career. We will look at the steps involved in designing effective and engaging learning experiences, particularly for new educators transitioning from clinical practice to leading formal continuing education programs and to the university classroom. It begins with encouraging instructors to start by identifying the desired outcomes for their learners and by clarifying what students should know or be able to do by the end of a course or lesson. Educators should intentionally shape the content, activities, and assessments that support those goals.

The session introduces the concept of backward design to develop clear and measurable learning objectives. Examine evidence-based teaching strategies for designing clear and measurable learning objectives by using Bloom’s taxonomy to structure cognitive complexity and guide the development of progressively advanced skills. The session also discusses active learning strategies, while emphasizing practical ways to move beyond traditional lecture formats. Participants explore techniques that promote engagement, such as think‑pair‑share, case‑based discussions, and hands‑on problem solving. 

Finally, the session addresses assessment as a tool for understanding student learning. Participants consider a range of assessment methods–both formative and summative–that extend beyond standard multiple‑choice questions. We also consider how to evaluate whether students are meeting learning objectives, how to design assessments that reflect real‑world application.
Together, these components provide a roadmap for creating meaningful, student‑centered learning experiences. While this is predominately focused on traditional education environments, therapists involved in fieldwork may find this content of interest too.

Level: Intermediate

The elbow is the second most commonly dislocated joint in adults, yet elbow instability remains a challenging condition that requires thoughtful, coordinated care across disciplines. This session presents a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to elbow instability, integrating anatomy, biomechanics, injury mechanisms, surgical management, and rehabilitation strategies. 

A hand surgeon and certified hand therapists will guide attendees through the continuum of care, beginning with a review of the relevant anatomy and pathomechanics that contribute to elbow instability. Surgical decision-making and current operative techniques will be discussed, highlighting indications, goals of stabilization, and implications for postoperative rehabilitation. 

Rehabilitation principles will then be explored in depth, with emphasis on evidence-informed protocols, splinting strategies, protection versus mobilization, and progression of motion and strengthening to optimize functional outcomes. Case studies will be woven throughout the session to illustrate clinical reasoning, common challenges, and collaborative problem-solving between surgical and therapy teams. 

Participants will gain a clearer framework for managing elbow instability from initial injury through recovery, with the shared goal of restoring stability, function, and patient confidence.

Level: Entry