WCR: The Wrist Complex: Evidence-Based Concepts in Wrist Rehabilitation


This two-day course is designed for the hand therapy specialist as an in-depth review of wrist conditions, kinematics, and evidence-based rehabilitation. The participant will learn how to assess the wrist by zone and practice provocative tests to identify a variety of fractures, nerve conditions, tendinopathies, instabilities, and arthritic conditions during lab time. Lab time will also include a review of joint mobilization techniques along with the fabrication of a dart thrower orthosis and an ulnar boost orthosis. Evidence-based conservative and surgical management will be reviewed, including when and how to use orthoses and choosing the appropriate interventions. Clinical reasoning will be employed in protocol discussions using real cases to assist the learner with understanding and designing effective rehabilitation programs for wrist patients.

  • Demonstrate the ability to effectively identify and palpate bony wrist anatomy and key soft tissue structures.
  • Explain key points of normal RUJ and carpal kinematics.
  • Recognize signs of abnormal RUJ and carpal instability patterns based on symptom presentation.
  • Differentially diagnose various wrist conditions with correct application of special tests, using evidence-based systematic Zone and Manual evaluation approaches.
  • Develop and implement an effective treatment plan (home program, patient education, and evidence-based interventions) per physical wrist exam findings for wrist instability, arthritis, and fracture cases.
  • Demonstrate understanding of  wrist mobilization techniques to alleviate pain and restore joint mobility.
  • Select an appropriate orthosis based on symptom presentation and evaluation findings.
  • Fabricate orthoses appropriate for TFCC/ulnar wrist and scapholunate instability-related conditions.

Day 1 – Saturday:

  • 7:30 Registration, light breakfast/coffee
  • 8:00 Introductions; Course objectives, agenda, pre-test
  • 8:15 Anatomy of the Forearm and Wrist 
  • 9:15 Forearm and Wrist Kinematics
  • 10:15 BREAK
  • 10:30 LAB/LECTURE: Wrist Evaluation by Zone
  • 12:00 Lunch
  • 1:00 LAB/LECTURE: Manual Wrist Evaluation
  • 2:00 Musculoskeletal Imaging Diagnostics
  • 2:45 BREAK
  • 3:00 Manual Therapy Interventions
  • 5:00 Questions and Adjourn

 

Day 2-Sunday:

  • 7:30 Fractures
  • 8:30 Carpal Instabilities and Dislocations
  • 9:30 BREAK
  • 9:45 LAB: Orthosis Fabrication: Dart Thrower Orthosis
  • 11:15 Ulnar Wrist Pathologies- TFCC/DRUJ
  • 12:00 LUNCH
  • 1:00 LAB: Orthosis Fabrication: Ulnar Boost
  • 2:00 Treatment Interventions
  • 2:45 Case Study
  • 3:00 Role Play Evaluations, Questions, Post-Test
  • 3:30 Adjourn

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Currently, there are no WCR: The Wrist Complex: Evidence-Based Concepts in Wrist Rehabilitation courses available. Please contact us for more information or to request a course.

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