AHTA 2015 Workshops
Presenter: Joelene Colliton & Alison Butcher
Neoprene wrist/thumb orthoses are an important and useful treatment tool in the management of a range of conditions affecting the wrist and thumb, including first CMC joint arthritis and DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis. Clinical experience and recent research findings suggest that custom made neoprene orthoses are more comfortable, less expensive and can provide greater pain relief than pre-fabricated neoprene orthoses. This workshop will give you the opportunity to fabricate a custom made neoprene wrist/thumb brace, including sewing in the neoprene thumb component, sewing in a zip for ease of don/doff, adding boning support to the thumb, and adding removable volar/dorsal thermoplastic supports in ‘pockets’. Participants will work in pairs to each fabricate a neoprene orthosis in the 60 minute workshop. These skills can also be applied to other custom made neoprene orthosis designs.