A major service distinguishing AOPT is the specialization of upper extremity and Hand Therapy. Our staff includes Karen Deal, a Licensed Occupational Therapist Certified for Advanced Practice in Hand Therapy and Physical Agent Modalities. Her creativity in splint fabrication enables her to accommodate specific needs for multiple diagnoses including: fractures, tendon and nerve injuries, repetitive stress and overuse syndromes, crush injuries, joint replacements, tendon repair and transfers, tendonitis, sprains, wound care, and chronic pain.

In addition to providing hand therapy, Karen is also qualified to perform work station assessments for ergonomic correctness. She also provides ADL training for patients with neurological impairments or functional weakness. Karen is an excellent member of our team and a great resource of knowledge. Please see the following pages for static and dynamic splint samples.

		Dynamic Multi-Digit Extension Splint Splint function: Provides dynamic extension of the MP joints Diagnoses: radial nerve palsy, MP joint reconstruction
		Splint Tuner Splint function: final finger flexion splint (static-progressive) Purpose: achieve full composite joint flexion of the fingers Diagnoses: combined MP, PIP, and DIP joint deformities
		Volar Wrist and Dorsal Cock-up Splints Splint function: Immobilize the wrist while allowing full motion of finger flexion and extension at the MP joints and full thumb mobility. Diagnoses: wrist fractures, carparl tunnel syndrome, or wrist sprains or strains
		Forearm Based Thumb Spica Splint Splint function: Stabilize the wrist, first CMC and MP joint of the thumb, decrease pain and inflammation of the APL and EPB tendons of the thumb, allow motion to the IP (distal) joint of the thumb. Diagnoses: DeQuervains wrist tenosynovitis, osteoarthritis of the CMC joint with lateral deviation of the MP joint.
		Hand Based CMC Splint Splint function: Stabilize the first CMC joint (thumb), decrease pain, allow full movement of the fingers at the MP joints. Diagnoses: osteoarthritis, degenerative joint disease at the base of the thumb