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Deborah A. Schwartz

OTD, OTR/L, CHT

Deborah A. Schwartz is a hand therapist with more than 34 years of experience as a practicing clinician. She has worked at Orfit Industries America for the past ten and a half years promoting product awareness and offering a variety of educational programming on orthotic fabrication. Debby is an active member of the American Society of Hand Therapy (ASHT) and has participated in the International Federation of Societies of Hand Therapy (IFSHT) meetings as well. She has presented on a variety of hand therapy topics at both national and international conferences and has written a number of articles for hand therapy publications, including the Journal of Hand Therapy, the British Journal of Hand Therapy, HAND, www.exploringhandtherapy.com, and OT Practice.

Debby completed her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. She presently teaches orthotic fabrication workshops for Orfit Industries America for both student occupational therapists and advanced clinicians. She is also an adjunct professor in the Occupational Therapy department of Touro College in New York City, where she teaches orthotic fabrication and an elective on hand therapy. Debby is currently writing several book chapters for hand therapy references and collaborating on a textbook of orthotic fabrication.

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Complex Orthoses Made Simply and Effectively (Recorded Webinar)

Presented by Deborah A. Schwartz, OTD, OTR/L, CHT

Complex Orthoses Made Simply and Effectively (Recorded Webinar)

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Video Runtime: 172 Minutes; Learning Assessment Time: 19 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.

In many hand therapy clinics and departments around the world, therapists are being asked to evaluate and treat their clients quickly but effectively. Often therapists have little or no time between clients, and in fact, clients often have overlapping appointments. Therefore, there is a need to increase the efficiency of all aspects of hand therapy treatments, including orthotic fabrication.

While the fabrication process and molding of an orthosis on a client should never be rushed, this course will feature simplified fabrication techniques for both complex and simple orthoses, which can help reduce the time needed to fabricate each orthosis.

The course will cover descriptions of seven clinical diagnoses, discuss orthotic interventions for each, and show a live orthotic fabrication session highlighting a specific orthotic design. Client wearing schedules will be discussed, as well as tips for increasing client compliance. Topics and orthotic fabrication demonstrations will include the following:

1. Limitation of forearm rotation with a Muenster orthosis
2. Clinical conditions requiring the use of thumb orthoses (both short opponens and long opponens orthoses)
3. Proximal interphalangeal joint orthoses: static and dynamic orthoses to manage PIP flexion contractures, anti-swan-neck deformities, and simple finger immobilization
4. Clinical conditions benefiting from the use of relative motion orthoses
5. Creation of cost-effective hinges out of thermoplastic material that allow motion in a desired direction while limiting or preventing motion in an undesired direction

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Orthoses for Mobilization: Dynamic Orthoses

Presented by Deborah A. Schwartz, OTD, OTR/L, CHT

Orthoses for Mobilization: Dynamic Orthoses

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Orthoses for mobilization, both dynamic and static progressive orthoses, can be used to help clients regain tissue length or joint motion when injuries or clinical conditions have caused tissue shortening and stiff joints. Therapists require core knowledge in upper extremity anatomy and understanding of biomechanical principles of orthotic fabrication to select dynamic orthoses as an intervention for clients requiring mobilization of joints of the upper extremity. Therapists also need hands-on practice to make well-fitting and appropriate dynamic orthoses for a variety of diagnoses affecting the upper extremity. They require awareness of pattern-making guidelines, the fabrication process using thermoplastic materials, and advanced knowledge of appropriate dynamic outrigger systems to aid in their orthotic design.

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Orthoses for Mobilization: Static Progressive Orthoses

Presented by Deborah A. Schwartz, OTD, OTR/L, CHT

Orthoses for Mobilization: Static Progressive Orthoses

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Therapists require core knowledge in upper extremity anatomy and pathologies and an understanding of the biomechanical principles of orthotic fabrication in order to select static progressive orthoses as an intervention for clients requiring increased passive mobilization of joints, or lengthening of soft tissue contractures of the upper extremity. Therapists also need hands-on practice to make well fitting, well designed and clinically appropriate static progressive orthoses. They require knowledge of the pattern making process, the steps of fabrication using thermoplastic materials and appropriate static progressive outrigger systems to aid in their orthotic design.

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Orthoses for Mobilization of the Wrist

Presented by Deborah A. Schwartz, OTD, OTR/L, CHT

Orthoses for Mobilization of the Wrist

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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.

Dynamic wrist orthoses that allow specific patterns of motion and block unwanted motion can be extremely beneficial in certain diagnoses and rehabilitation protocols, such as scapho-lunate ligament injuries. And static progressive and/or dynamic orthoses can help clients regain lost wrist joint motion after trauma or injuries have caused joint capsule shortening and stiffness. Therapists require core knowledge in upper extremity anatomy and clinical pathologies and an understanding of the biomechanical principles of orthotic fabrication in order to select the appropriate mobilization orthosis as an intervention for clients requiring mobilization of their wrist joints. Therapists also need hands-on practice to make well-fitting and appropriate dynamic and/ or static progressive orthoses for a variety of diagnoses affecting the wrist. They require awareness of pattern-making guidelines and the fabrication process using thermoplastic materials and advanced knowledge of appropriate dynamic and static progressive outrigger systems to aid in their orthotic design.

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Wrist and Long Opponens Orthoses for Orthopedic Conditions

Presented by Deborah A. Schwartz, OTD, OTR/L, CHT

Wrist and Long Opponens Orthoses for Orthopedic Conditions

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Using orthoses for immobilization for orthopedic conditions of the wrist and hand is an important therapeutic intervention to help support and protect the injured upper extremity. Therapists require core knowledge in a variety of common pathologies that affect the wrist and hand and are typically treated with orthoses. Therapists also need hands on practice in pattern making and fitting of specific designs of wrist and hand orthoses. Once the course is completed you will have an understanding of some common conditions of the wrist that require treatment with a wrist orthosis and a refresher on upper extremity anatomy and pathologies so you can select the appropriate orthosis for the diagnosis affecting this region.

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Orthotic Fabrication: Thumb and Finger Orthoses for Orthopedic Conditions

Presented by Deborah A. Schwartz, OTD, OTR/L, CHT

Orthotic Fabrication: Thumb and Finger Orthoses for Orthopedic Conditions

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In this course with Debby Schwartz you will learn about using orthoses for immobilization for orthopedic conditions of the thumb and fingers and why it is an important therapeutic intervention to help support and protect those injuries. Therapists require core knowledge in a variety of common pathologies that affect the thumb and fingers and are typically treated with orthoses. In this course you will also review pattern making and fitting of specific designs of thumb and finger orthoses.

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Specific Orthoses for Neurological Conditions

Presented by Deborah A. Schwartz, OTD, OTR/L, CHT

Specific Orthoses for Neurological Conditions

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Orthoses for immobilization can also be applied to specific populations for a variety of goals beyond support and protection. Therapists may be required to apply orthoses to the upper extremity presenting with abnormal or increased muscle tone as seen in patients with neurological conditions such as post brain trauma or stroke. Increased muscle tone can lead to soft tissue contractures, muscle and tendon shortening and joint deformities. In this course, orthoses designed to maintain muscle and soft tissue length and prevent joint contractures are described.

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Specific Orthoses for Pediatric Conditions

Presented by Deborah A. Schwartz, OTD, OTR/L, CHT

Specific Orthoses for Pediatric Conditions

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Orthoses for immobilization can also be applied to specific populations for a variety of goals beyond support and protection. Therapists may be required to apply orthoses to the upper extremity presenting with abnormal or increased muscle tone as seen in pediatric patients with Cerebral Palsy. Increased muscle tone can lead to soft tissue contractures, muscle and tendon shortening and joint deformities. In this course, orthoses designed to maintain muscle and soft tissue length and prevent joint contractures are described. Additional orthoses specifically for the pediatric population, including alternative wrist orthoses and thumb orthoses, are described and demonstrated and special concerns about creating orthoses for pediatric patients are addressed.

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Introduction to Orthoses

Presented by Deborah A. Schwartz, OTD, OTR/L, CHT

Introduction to Orthoses

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Using orthoses for immobilization is an important therapeutic intervention to help support and protect the injured upper extremity after surgery or trauma, and also to offer balance and help position the hand and wrist for enhanced function due to injury or pain. Therapists require core knowledge in upper extremity anatomy, biomechanical principles of orthotic fabrication and hands on practice to be able to fabricate well-fitting and appropriate orthoses for clients requiring immobilization of joints of the upper extremity.

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Webinars with Deborah A. Schwartz

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Aug 5, 2020

Complex Orthoses Made Simply and Effectively

Presented by Deborah A. Schwartz

No Recording Available

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