*Orthotics* - CORRECT ANSWER-- Know the general categories to describe orthotics
and the purpose of each type
- Recommend orthotics for painful joints,
... [Show More] tissue protection and immobilize for healing
- Understand principle of splinting fewest joints possible
- Describe appropriate angle of pull (90 degree) and rationale
- Understand principles related to materials, fit, and safety
What is the purpose for splinting? - CORRECT ANSWER-1. Support a painful joint
2. Immobilize
3. Protect healing or damaged tissue
4. Provide stability
5. Restrict unwanted motion
6. Substitute for weak/absent muscles
7. Prevent contractures
8. Correct contractures
9. Increase passive motion
10. Modify tone
Primary Purpose: Immobilization (static) orthosis - CORRECT ANSWER-Primary
Purpose: provide support, stabilization, protection or immobilization
-Communicate purpose to patient
-can be for fractures
-serial static orthosis/casting
Ex: hand based thumb spica, short opponents, short thumb (HFO)
Primary Purpose: Serial static orthosis/casting - CORRECT ANSWER-"Low load",
prolonged duration stretch, remolding or refabricaiton of orthosis/cast as ROM
increases
-communicate purpose to patient 10 to 15 minutes four times a day 10 to 15 degree at a
time
-If wear longer than 10 to 15 it can become more painful
Primary Purpose: Mobilization static orthosis - CORRECT ANSWER-*-Anything used to
stretch/facilitate motion
-Purpose is to promote ROM using screws, velcro, hinges*
-includes nonelastic components such as screws, Velcro, turnbuckles, or hinges used to
promote ROM
-adjustments can be made easy by the user typically
Primary Purpose: Mobilization elastic orthosis - CORRECT ANSWER-*-Use moving
parts to permit, control, or restore movement with components such as rubber bands,
elastic or springs *
Ex: dynamic dorsal block, Kleinert (WHFO)
-Radial nerve palsy orthotics (WHFO)
Primary Purpose: Peripheral nerve injuries orthotics - CORRECT ANSWER-1. Keep
denervated muscles from remaining in an overstretched position
Ex: prevent wrist drop
2. Prevent joint contractures (Nerve damage, so muscles cant fire like they are
supposed to)
3. Prevent development of substitution patterns
4. Maximize function
Primary Purpose: Status post burn orthotic fabrication - CORRECT ANSWER--based
on direction and line of pull of scar
-where is the scar?
-dorsal hand burns have specific protocols due to close proximity to extensor tendons
-can use scar inserts to elongate tissue
-may begin using 5 days (7-10 is recommended) post grafting
Recommend orthotics for painful joints, tissue protection and immobilize for healing -
CORRECT ANSWER-- Immobilizer orthotic is best for pain especially CMC thumb
arthritis (thumb spica)
- Resting hand orthotic: burns for skin protection and maintenance and pain
- See notes for list of orthotics and specific associated conditions
Understand principle of splinting fewest joints possible - CORRECT ANSWER-- You do
not want to immobilize joints unless absolutely necessary. It can cause more harm that
good in terms of decreasing joint mobility, increasing stiffness and potential contractures
Persevering:
muscle strength
muscle integrity
bone intensity
Describe appropriate angle of pull (90 degree) and rationale - CORRECT ANSWER--
The direction and magnitude of the forces applied to a joint or finger are important when
applying force to increase passive ROM. The direction of pull must be at a 90-degree
angle to the axis of the joint and perpendicular to the axis of rotation.
-As ROM increases adjustments can be made to the outrigger to maintain the 90-
degree angle. You don't want the line of pull to be in a medial or lateral direction and
disturb the mobilization of the joint
Understand principles related to materials, fit, and safety: *Materials* - CORRECT
ANSWER-1. low temperature thermoplastic
-width preference [Show Less]