OPCA 2030 - Clinical Applications of Upper Extremity Orthoses

Credits: 3
Hours/Week: Lecture None Lab None
Course Description: This course focuses on the identification of spinal anatomy and pathologies to formulate a spinal orthotic treatment plan. Content includes measurement acquisition, shape-capturing techniques, and fitting of pre-made and custom-fabricated spinal orthoses. Course projects concentrate on specific fitting criteria and orthosis selection to achieve functional biomechanical control of the affected trunk segments.
MnTC Goals
None

Prerequisite(s): Instructor consent
Corequisite(s): None
Recommendation: None

Major Content
1. Major pathologies of the upper-limb

1. related anatomy
2. mechanics of the upper extremity
3. upper extremity functional loss

2. Upper-limb evaluation

1. orthometry forms
2. physical assessment procedures
3. upper-limb prescription criteria
4. orthotic recommendations

3. Formulate a treatment plan

1. casting and measuring
2. differentiating design criteria

4. Fabricate upper-limb orthoses

1. casting and measuring
2. differentiating design criteria

5. Implement a treatment plan

1. casting and measuring
2. differentiating design criteria
3. fitting criteria
4. optimize function
5. medical documentation
6. coding and billing

1. describe the major pathologies of the upper-limb.
2. perform upper-limb patient evaluations.
3. formulate a treatment plan.
4. fabricate hand and wrist-hand orthoses.
5. implement a treatment plan.

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