Instructors
Jennifer Dodson, OTD, OTR/L, CHT
Ortho Carolina
Charlotte, NC
Kailey Bedford, MOT, OTR/L, CHT
Ortho Carolina
Charlotte, NC
Earn: .2 CEUs (2 contact hours; 2.5 NBCOT PDU’s)
Description
When it comes to effectively treating hand and upper limb trauma in the acute setting, it is critical to understand the basics of tissue healing and emergency medical procedures completed. Many injuries will have multiple structures involved including bone and soft tissue such as tendon, vascular structures, and nerves. Understanding the surgical procedures and tissue healing process will allow practitioners to make appropriate clinical decisions that allow the patient to safely move through the acute phase of their injury. Informed care decisions can decrease harm to the healing tissue while avoiding secondary consequences such as stiffness, learned disuse and poor movement patterns--all of which eventually impact an individual’s ability to utilize their upper limb in meaningful occupations.
Learning objectives
Following this course, the learner will be able to:
- Discuss the early healing process of bone, tendon, nerve and vascular structures
- Explain how to prevent contracture formation within the upper extremity to prevent limitations with meaningful occupations
- Differentiate between median, ulnar and radial nerve dysfunction in the upper extremity
- Identify rationale behind early motion in common upper extremity musculoskeletal diagnoses seen in the acute care setting
- Identify information to glean from operative note or surgeon to prepare for evaluation of complex fractures of the upper extremity
- Identify essential discharge planning to progress through the continuum of care
Audience: Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants
Level of difficulty: Advanced
Domain of Practice: Process-evaluation, intervention, discharge