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    17 Courses

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    2 Webinars

Ann Porretto-Loehrke

PT, DPT, CHT, COMT, CMTPT

Ann Porretto-Loehrke is a skilled clinician with a passion for teaching and clinical treatment of upper extremity disorders. She serves as the clinical development coordinator at the Hand to Shoulder Center in Appleton, Wisconsin. Ann is a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT) and a Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapist (COMT) for treatment of the upper quadrant through the International Academy of Orthopedic Medicine (IAOM). Ann received a bachelor's degree in physical therapy from Marquette University in 1994 and completed a postprofessional Doctorate in Physical Therapy (DPT) degree from Drexel University with a specialty in hand and upper quarter rehabilitation in 2007. She is also certified in dry needling through Myopain Seminars as a Certified Myofascial Trigger Point Therapist (CMTPT). Ann is a lead instructor who codeveloped the Hand & Upper Extremity Track through IAOM, a set of six manual therapy courses designed specifically for hand and upper extremity specialists. She coauthored a chapter in Rehabilitation of the Hand & Upper Extremity on nerve compression syndromes of the elbow and forearm and published two peer-reviewed articles entitled "Clinical Manual Assessment of the Wrist" and "Taping Techniques for the Wrist" in the 2016 Journal of Hand Therapy's special edition of the wrist. Ann has presented at American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT) annual conferences, the Canadian Society of Hand Therapists (CSHT) Annual Conference, The Philadelphia Meeting, TRIA's Hand Therapy Conference, and Teton Hand Conferences.

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Distal Radius Fracture: Early-Stage Rehabilitation

Presented by Ann Porretto-Loehrke, PT, DPT, CHT, COMT, CMTPT

Distal Radius Fracture: Early-Stage Rehabilitation

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Video Runtime: 68 Minutes; Learning Assessment Time: 46 Minutes

In the primary care setting, distal radius fractures account for 24%-46% of all fractures. This is one of the most common diagnoses treated in the hand therapy clinic. Understanding the anatomical changes that can occur and being mindful of the potential complications can help shape your treatment plan to optimize your clinical outcome. This course is designed to guide occupational and physical therapists in the evaluation and early-stage treatment of distal radius fractures using an evidence-supported approach. Gain insight on how distal radius fractures can adversely affect proprioception, range of motion, and dexterity, with treatment suggestions for the first four to six weeks of therapy.

This course is part of our CHT Prep Program. Learn more about the full prep program here: MedBridge CHT Prep Program

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Distal Radius Fracture: Late-Stage Rehabilitation

Presented by Ann Porretto-Loehrke, PT, DPT, CHT, COMT, CMTPT

Distal Radius Fracture: Late-Stage Rehabilitation

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Video Runtime: 70 Minutes; Learning Assessment Time: 46 Minutes

Distal radius fracture is one of the most common diagnoses treated in the hand therapy clinic. Once the patient is cleared to perform passive range of motion, treatment can begin to address the joint-related limitations as well as proprioception and eventually strength deficits that can limit the patient from returning to normal daily activities. This course is designed to guide occupational and physical therapists in the interventions for late-stage treatment of distal radius fractures using an evidence-supported approach. Gain insight on how manual therapy techniques, proprioceptive training, and strengthening can maximize your patient's occupational performance. Note: this course is a follow-up to Distal Radius Fracture: Early-Stage Rehabilitation.

This course is part of our CHT Prep Program. Learn more about the full prep program here: MedBridge CHT Prep Program

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Therapy Management for Scapholunate Injury

Presented by Ann Porretto-Loehrke, PT, DPT, CHT, COMT, CMTPT

Therapy Management for Scapholunate Injury

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Video Runtime: 82 Minutes; Learning Assessment Time: 46 Minutes

What is the most challenging diagnosis you see in the hand clinic? Is it the patient with a crush injury with multiple fractures and tendon repairs, or is it the 13-year-old gymnast with vague complaints of wrist pain? Wrist pain exacerbated by gripping and weight-bearing can often be difficult to evaluate, and determining an effective treatment plan can be challenging. This course is designed to guide occupational and physical therapists in the systematic evaluation and treatment of scapholunate (SL) injury using an evidence-supported approach. Gain insight on treatment ideas to provide protection for the healing ligament while addressing proprioceptive and strength deficits to optimize your patient's functional recovery. This course also covers post-op expectations with surgical intervention for SL repair/reconstruction as well as salvage procedures due to scapholunate advanced collapse.

This course is part of our CHT Prep Program. Learn more about the full prep program here: MedBridge CHT Prep Program

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Proximal Screening for the Hand Therapist

Presented by Ann Porretto-Loehrke, PT, DPT, CHT, COMT, CMTPT

Proximal Screening for the Hand Therapist

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Video Runtime: 49 Minutes; Learning Assessment Time: 28 Minutes

This course is part of our CHT Prep Program. Learn more about the full prep program here: MedBridge CHT Prep Program.

Have you had a patient who underwent a carpal tunnel release three months ago, only to return to your clinic with the same symptoms? Do you suspect there is something going on more proximally? This course reviews the current understanding of the double crush phenomenon and provides a framework for why performing proximal screening is so important. This course will review the anatomy of the cervical spine and present potential pain generators in this region that can refer symptoms to the distal upper extremity. Testing of the cervical spine will be covered to identify a cervical radiculopathy from a disc issue. An overview of thoracic outlet syndrome will also be provided, as well as techniques for screening this region.

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Manual Therapy Techniques for Finger Stiffness

Presented by Ann Porretto-Loehrke, PT, DPT, CHT, COMT, CMTPT

Manual Therapy Techniques for Finger Stiffness

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Video Runtime: 62 Minutes; Learning Assessment Time: 32 Minutes

Finger fractures and dislocations, often due to sports-related or occupational injuries, are common diagnoses seen in the hand therapy clinic. These injuries can result in stiffness, leading to significant functional impairment. This course will provide a guide to addressing these issues. The first portion of the course will cover the bony and soft-tissue anatomy of the digit, with an emphasis on joint arthrokinematics. For clinical testing, you'll be provided with a systematic approach to identify your patient's key impairments. The final portion of the course introduces manual therapy treatment techniques that can be used immediately in the clinic to maximize your patients' outcomes.

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Maximizing Neural Mobility in the Upper Extremity (Recorded Webinar)

Presented by Ann Porretto-Loehrke, PT, DPT, CHT, COMT, CMTPT

Maximizing Neural Mobility in the Upper Extremity (Recorded Webinar)

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Video Runtime: 57 Minutes; Learning Assessment Time: 22 Minutes

This course is a recording of a previously hosted live webinar event. Polling and question submission features are not available for this recording. Format and structure may differ from standard MedBridge courses.

Think outside of the box to optimize your outcomes with patients with upper extremity nerve entrapments. This webinar summarizes the current literature supporting the benefits of neural mobilization and how posture-related issues can contribute to distal nerve issues. Learn how to address soft-tissue restrictions along the infrasternal angle, latissimus dorsi, and hip flexors that can significantly contribute to adverse neural tension in the upper extremity. This course also covers the most up-to-date research regarding median nerve gliding for carpal tunnel syndrome.

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Manual Therapy Techniques to Address Stiffness at the Thumb

Presented by Ann Porretto-Loehrke, PT, DPT, CHT, COMT, CMTPT

Manual Therapy Techniques to Address Stiffness at the Thumb

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This course is part of our CHT Prep Program. Learn more about the full prep program here: MedBridge CHT Prep Program.

Stiffness at the thumb carpometacarpal (CMC) joint can occur as a result of trauma, as seen with fractures at the base of the first metacarpal, and can also be present in the early stages of osteoarthritis (OA). Get reacquainted with the intricate anatomy of the thumb CMC joint and develop an understanding of how motion of the trapezoid and scaphoid play a role in thumb mobility. Gain knowledge in joint-specific techniques to address stiffness at the thumb CMC as well as the radial column of the wrist. This knowledge can be beneficial in restoring mobility for post-traumatic stiffness as well as for conservative management of mild CMC OA.

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Manual Therapy Techniques to Address Stiffness for the Wrist

Presented by Ann Porretto-Loehrke, PT, DPT, CHT, COMT, CMTPT

Manual Therapy Techniques to Address Stiffness for the Wrist

Subscribe now, and access clinical education and patient education—anytime, anywhere—with video instruction from recognized industry experts.
This course is part of our CHT Prep Program. Learn more about the full prep program here: MedBridge CHT Prep Program.

Distal radius fractures are a common diagnosis that hand therapists treat. Often times, these patients end up with significant loss of motion. Sharpen your skills with joint specific techniques to address stiffness at the radiocarpal and midcarpal joints through reviewing the arthrokinematics of the wrist as well as surface anatomy to know exactly where to place your hands. Develop an understanding of how the trapezoid-on-scaphoid articulation guides motion of the midcarpal joint in the dart-throwers plane and learn joint-specific techniques to address limitations in this region. These manual therapy techniques will be covered in a step-by-step fashion for both the radiocarpal and midcarpal joints to use immediately in the clinic.

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Manual Therapy Techniques to Address Stiffness at the Elbow

Presented by Ann Porretto-Loehrke, PT, DPT, CHT, COMT, CMTPT

Manual Therapy Techniques to Address Stiffness at the Elbow

Subscribe now, and access clinical education and patient education—anytime, anywhere—with video instruction from recognized industry experts.
This course is part of our CHT Prep Program. Learn more about the full prep program here: MedBridge CHT Prep Program.

Have you ever been frustrated with a stiff elbow that doesn't seem to move no matter how much you try? Because of the close articular congruency of the elbow, loss of motion can sometimes occur even with a small trauma. This course covers the anatomy and arthrokinematics of the elbow, including the humeroulnar joint (HUJ), humeroradial joint (HRJ), and proximal radioulnar joint (PRUJ), which provides a foundation for joint mobilization. The manual therapy techniques presented in this course address limitations for elbow flexion and extension as well as forearm rotation. These techniques can be invaluable for a patient with either large and small limitations of motion, as implementation can lead to immediate improvements.

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Treatment of Lateral Elbow Pain

Presented by Ann Porretto-Loehrke, PT, DPT, CHT, COMT, CMTPT

Treatment of Lateral Elbow Pain

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This course is part of our CHT Prep Program. Learn more about the full prep program here: MedBridge CHT Prep Program.

Why is treating a "simple" tennis elbow diagnosis sometimes so difficult? Let this course help to guide you through a systematic approach to addressing impairments found within the clinical examination. This course provides the tools for treating issues arising from a musculotendinous, articular and neural origin. Gain clinical confidence in efficiently evaluating lateral elbow pain and optimizing your patient's outcomes.

CHTs, when submitting this for recertification through HTCC, this course can be used for CAT B (hand therapy courses < 3 hours in length); however, if this course certificate is submitted with the following course certificates listed below, they can be submitted under CAT A (hand therapy courses > 3 hours in length)
  • Differential Diagnosis of Lateral Elbow Pain (2 hours)
  • Treatment of Lateral Elbow Pain (1.5 hours)

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    Differential Diagnosis of Lateral Elbow Pain

    Presented by Ann Porretto-Loehrke, PT, DPT, CHT, COMT, CMTPT

    Differential Diagnosis of Lateral Elbow Pain

    Subscribe now, and access clinical education and patient education—anytime, anywhere—with video instruction from recognized industry experts.
    This course is part of our CHT Prep Program. Learn more about the full prep program here: MedBridge CHT Prep Program.

    Why is treating a "simple" tennis elbow diagnosis sometimes so difficult? This course will help guide you through a systematic approach to evaluating a patient with lateral elbow pain to identify the pain-generator. Determining the patient's impairments will provide guidance for addressing treatment, which will be covered in the subsequent course. Recognizing when special tests are needed and performing a systematic clinical examination will be presented.

    CHTs, when submitting this for recertification through HTCC, this course can be used for CAT B (hand therapy courses < 3 hours in length); however, if this course certificate is submitted with the following course certificates listed below (or any combination totaling 3 hours or more), they can be submitted under CAT A (hand therapy courses > 3 hours in length).
  • Differential Diagnosis of Lateral Elbow Pain (2 hours)
  • Treatment of Lateral Elbow Pain (1.5 hours)

  • View full course details

    Treatment of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Addressing Shoulder and Upper Thoracic Limitations

    Presented by Ann Porretto-Loehrke, PT, DPT, CHT, COMT, CMTPT

    Treatment of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Addressing Shoulder and Upper Thoracic Limitations

    Subscribe now, and access clinical education and patient education—anytime, anywhere—with video instruction from recognized industry experts.

    Now that you've determined that your patient has disputed neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS), how should you address issues at the shoulder and upper thoracic spine? Following the first TOS course, this course addresses limitations at the glenohumeral joint and cervicothoracic junction and introduces neural flossing techniques.

    CHTs, when submitting this for recertification through HTCC, this course can be used for CAT B (hand therapy courses < 3 hours in length); however, if this course certificate is submitted with the following course certificates listed below (or any combination totaling 3 hours or more), they can be submitted under CAT A (hand therapy courses > 3 hours in length).

  • Identification & Evaluation of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (2 hours)
  • Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Assessing the Elevation Chain (1.25 hours)
  • Treatment of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Where to Begin (1.75 hours)
  • Treatment of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Addressing Shoulder and Upper Thoracic Limitations (1.5 hours)

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    Treatment of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Where to Begin

    Presented by Ann Porretto-Loehrke, PT, DPT, CHT, COMT, CMTPT

    Treatment of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Where to Begin

    Subscribe now, and access clinical education and patient education—anytime, anywhere—with video instruction from recognized industry experts.
    This course is part of our CHT Prep Program. Learn more about the full prep program here: MedBridge CHT Prep Program.

    Now that you've determined that your patient has disputed neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS), what should be addressed first? This course will provide a step-by-step process for how to address your patient's impairments at the 1st and 2nd ribs, scapular resting position and acromioclavicular, and sternoclavicular joints.

    CHTs, when submitting this for recertification through HTCC, this course can be used for CAT B (hand therapy courses < 3 hours in length); however, if this course certificate is submitted with the following course certificates listed below (or any combination totaling 3 hours or more), they can be submitted under CAT A (hand therapy courses > 3 hours in length).
  • Identification & Evaluation of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (2 hours)
  • Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Assessing the Elevation Chain (1.25 hours)
  • Treatment of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Where to Begin (1.75 hours)
  • Treatment of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Addressing Shoulder and Upper Thoracic Limitations (1.5 hours)

  • View full course details

    Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Assessing the Elevation Chain

    Presented by Ann Porretto-Loehrke, PT, DPT, CHT, COMT, CMTPT

    Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Assessing the Elevation Chain

    Subscribe now, and access clinical education and patient education—anytime, anywhere—with video instruction from recognized industry experts.

    What do I do with patients that hurt all over? Why does the carpal tunnel symptoms seem to keep coming back? This course continues with the examination process for disputed neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome with emphasis on joint-specific testing for compressors.

    CHTs, when submitting this for recertification through HTCC, this course can be used for CAT B (hand therapy courses < 3 hours in length); however, if this course certificate is submitted with the following course certificates listed below (or any combination totaling 3 hours or more), they can be submitted under CAT A (hand therapy courses > 3 hours in length).

  • Identification & Evaluation of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (2 hours)
  • Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Assessing the Elevation Chain (1.25 hours)
  • Treatment of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Where to Begin (1.75 hours)
  • Treatment of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Addressing Shoulder and Upper Thoracic Limitations (1.5 hours)

  • View full course details

    Identification and Evaluation of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

    Presented by Ann Porretto-Loehrke, PT, DPT, CHT, COMT, CMTPT

    Identification and Evaluation of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

    Subscribe now, and access clinical education and patient education—anytime, anywhere—with video instruction from recognized industry experts.
    This course is part of our CHT Prep Program. Learn more about the full prep program here: MedBridge CHT Prep Program.

    What do I do with patients that hurt all over? Why do carpal tunnel symptoms seem to keep coming back? This course is designed to assist practicing therapists in identifying key features of thoracic outlet syndrome and provide guidance for evaluating these patients using a manual therapy approach. Obtaining a pertinent history and performing a thorough physical examination will give therapists the tools to identify disputed neurogenic TOS and prioritize the patient's impairments.

    CHTs, when submitting this for recertification through HTCC, this course can be used for CAT B (hand therapy courses < 3 hours in length); however, if this course certificate is submitted with the following course certificates listed below (or any combination totaling 3 hours or more), they can be submitted under CAT A (hand therapy courses > 3 hours in length).
  • Identification & Evaluation of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (2 hours)
  • Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Assessing the Elevation Chain (1.25 hours)
  • Treatment of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Where to Begin (1.75 hours)
  • Treatment of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Addressing Shoulder and Upper Thoracic Limitations (1.5 hours)

  • View full course details

    Forearm Rotation Limitations Post Trauma

    Presented by Ann Porretto-Loehrke, PT, DPT, CHT, COMT, CMTPT

    Forearm Rotation Limitations Post Trauma

    Subscribe now, and access clinical education and patient education—anytime, anywhere—with video instruction from recognized industry experts.
    This course is part of our CHT Prep Program. Learn more about the full prep program here: MedBridge CHT Prep Program.

    Why do my patients with distal radius fractures seem to have so much difficulty regaining forearm rotation? Understanding the complexity of the forearm and how distal radius fractures can have a profound effect on forearm rotation is of the utmost importance. This presentation gives an overview of the bony and ligamentous support of the proximal and distal radioulnar joints, including an in-depth look at the role of the interosseous membrane. Therapists will be presented with a systematic approach to addressing forearm rotation issues, including expected outcomes.

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    Nerve Compression Syndromes of the Elbow and Forearm

    Presented by Ann Porretto-Loehrke, PT, DPT, CHT, COMT, CMTPT

    Nerve Compression Syndromes of the Elbow and Forearm

    Subscribe now, and access clinical education and patient education—anytime, anywhere—with video instruction from recognized industry experts.
    This course is part of our CHT Prep Program. Learn more about the full prep program here: MedBridge CHT Prep Program.

    How can I differentiate my patient's nerve complaints at the elbow and forearm? Sharpen your skills with evaluating and treating conservative and post-operative management of peripheral nerve compressions at the elbow and forearm! This course provides therapists with evidence-supported evaluation and treatment tools to address cubital tunnel syndrome, radial tunnel syndrome, pronator syndrome, and Wartenberg's syndrome.

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    Webinars with Ann Porretto-Loehrke

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    Aug 25, 2020

    Maximizing Neural Mobility in the Upper Extremity

    Presented by Ann Porretto-Loehrke

    No Recording Available

    Sep 10, 2019

    Differential Diagnosis of Lateral Elbow Pain – Live 2019 Update

    Presented by Ann Porretto-Loehrke

    No Recording Available

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