PRO 4371C UPPER EXTREMITY ORTHOTICS 4 credits

Prerequisite: Admission to the Orthotics and Prosthetics BAS program or permission of the Dean. This course focuses on how to integrate knowledge of anatomy, kinesiology, biomechanics, pathology, material properties, upper limb orthotic components and principle, and to address clinical problems of the upper limb. Multiple orthotic systems will be reviewed. In addition to working with each other, students evaluate and work with professional patients to measure, recommend, fabricate, fit and modify upper limb orthoses. Orthoses fabricated in this course include various metal hand orthoses; thermoplastic hand orthoses; static metal wrist hand orthosis; metal wrist hand orthoses with dynamic assists; polymer upper limb orthoses; metal wrist driven flexor hinge orthoses (then converted to a cable-driven). Application of technology (e.g. external power, CAD\CAM) will be incorporated, as appropriate, throughout the course, as will prefabricated alternatives to custom orthoses. 92 contact hours.