On Demand - Providence 12th Annual Hand and Upper Extremity Conference: UE Neuropathies

Course Description:

This year we are going back to the basics for nerve compression type of neuropathies. 

This course will be for the beginner to intermediate practitioner that needs to learn about common neuropathies of the UE. Two CHT’s will provide you with best practices to evaluate the nerves and to treat them conservatively and post operatively. This course will cover the brachial plexus (thoracic outlet), median, ulnar and radial nerves. As always, we will have a board certified hand surgeon to present the cadaver view of the nerves and how he would surgically intervene for common nerve compressions. 

Course Agenda:

60 min: Lori Lingle-Elling, OT/L, CHT

Review of Anatomy of the Nervous system of the UE

Cervical Spine

Brachial Plexus

Motor Branches 

Sensory branches – including LABCN, DBUN, SBRN

Common compression sites for each main branch of UE nerves

Median Nerve  

Ulnar Nerve

Radial Nerve

60 min: Lori Lingle-Elling, OT/L, CHT, Erica Hranicka, OT/L, CHT, Conrad Hamilton, MD

Provocative Tests for each nerve of UE

Median Nerve 

Ulnar Nerve

Radial Nerve

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Cervical Screening

2 hours:  Erica Hranicka, OT/L, CHT

Conservative treatment for neuropathy of each branch of UE nerves

Splinting

Postural and Ergonomic Changes

Nerve Gliding

Stretching

Strengthening

Manual Therapy

Desensitization

Taping

45 min: Conrad Hamilton, MD

What does the hand surgeon evaluate and consider prior to surgery? 

What do you look for on EMG’s, MRI’s, etc.? 

When should a hand therapist refer to the hand surgeon? 

45 min: Conrad Hamilton, MD

Surgical Intervention for Neuropathy of UE Nerves – Dr Conrad Hamilton

Musculocutaneous/Median

Ulnar

45 min: Post surgical treatment protocols and treatments - Erica Hranicka, OT/L, CHT

Musculocutaneous/Median

Ulnar

30 min:  Surgical Interventions for Neuropathy of UE Nerves - Conrad Hamilton, MD

Radial Nerves

Anomalies of nerves

15 min: Erica Hranicka, OT/L, CHT

Post surgical treatment protocols

Learning Objectives

At the end of this course participants will be able to:

1. Discuss pertinent nerve anatomy and pathologies
2. Understand surgical procedures and goals related to nerve compression injuries
3. Demonstrate assessment and treatment techniques of common neuropathies
4. Demonstrate provocative testing
5. Form a treatment plan for pre and post-operative neuropathy diagnoses
6. Describe surgical interventions for common UE neuropathies
7. Recall clinical pearls to problem solve more complicated pre- and post-operative cases
8. Identify current evidence-based outcomes and research relevant to surgical procedures and post- operative therapy

Speaker Bios:

Dr. Conrad Hamilton, Orthopedic Hand Surgeon
Dr. Hamilton has subspecialty training in hand and microvascular surgery. He received his RRC-accredited fellowship training in orthopedic hand surgery at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center after completing his surgery residency there. He attended medical school at Oregon Health and Science University.
He has a special interest in sports injuries, fracture management, upper extremity trauma, nerve repair, flap reconstruction, congenital differences, and arthritis of the hand.  He is the consulting hand surgeon for the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer, the Portland Thorns, and the Portland Thunder. He has co-presented Results After Carpal Tunnel Release Using a Limited Incision Technique with Direct Visualization in Portland, Oregon at the International College of Surgeons 73rd annual meeting with the American Academy of Neurological & orthopedic Surgeons.

Erica Hranicka, OT/L, CHT, graduated from the University of New Hampshire's Occupational Therapy program in 1998.  She worked in various aspects of OT, including home health, inpatient, outpatient neuro, lymphedema, and school systems before discovering a passion for hand therapy in 2003 while working at Tuality Healthcare in Hillsboro, OR. (Where she was mentored by Lori Lingle-Elling!) 

Since that time Erica has been working solely with hand therapy patients in outpatient settings. She worked for Tuality Hospital for 17 years, eventually acting as the Occupational Therapy Department supervisor, and clinic supervisor for Tuality HeathPlace. Erica moved to Bend, OR in 2017, and has been working as a hand therapist at Rebound Oregon since that time. 

Erica enjoys mentoring and instructing. She has guest lectured in the past for Pacific University's Occupational Therapy program, has hosted many students over the years, and has mentored new hand therapists. 

 In her free time, Erica enjoys riding motorcycles and exploring the outdoors while hiking, backpacking, and cross country skiing. She is a volunteer for the Deschutes County Search and Rescue Team, and is on the K9 team with her dog, Kestrel.

Lori Lingle Elling, OT/L, CHT

Lori received her Occupational Therapy degree from the University of Puget Sound in 1988 and became a certified hand therapist in 2003. She has worked for two local hospitals in Oregon and a private hand therapy clinic in Portland. She currently works at Providence Reeds Crossing Outpatient Rehabilitation where she specializes in treatment for Hand and Upper Extremity injuries. She also provides therapy for patients with concussions. She was the Hand Therapy Clinical Program Lead for Providence of Oregon for 5 years. Lori has presented on hand and upper extremity assessment and treatment for a variety of diagnoses during her career. She frequently takes OT students for fieldwork level 2 as well as offering mentoring for OT’s wanting to advance their knowledge in hand therapy. She has worked in collaboration with Dr. Hamilton to help restore his patient's function.

Registration Information:

This is a recording of the live 12th Annual Hand and UE conference on October 26, 2024.  This is an on demand course.

The content for this course is appropriate for rehab professionals who treat upper extremity neuropathies. 

Registration Fee: The registration fee is as follows: 

$250 for Providence employees, $275 for Non-employees.   Registration fees cover access to recorded videos, electronic course handouts and an electronic certificate of completion. 

Refund Policy: Since you will have immediate access to this course no refunds are available.

Contact Hours: This course qualifies for 7.0 contact hours for Physical Therapists, Physical Therapy Assistants, Occupational Therapists, and Occupational Therapy Assistants in Oregon and Washington. Credit may be available in other states, please email joanna.mullett@providence.org to inquire.    Providence is also an approved provider through the BOC providing continuing education to Athletic Trainers for this course.

Certificates of attendance will be issued to all participants completing the CEU requirements.