AFH Advanced Hand Therapy Course

Lesson 1 • Upper Extremity Anatomy Review

Covers osseous, ligamentous, tendinous, and neurovascular structures from shoulder to fingertip. Provides the anatomical map required for all subsequent clinical reasoning.

Lesson 2 • Outcome Measures and Documentation

Presents validated patient-reported and performance-based outcome tools specific to hand function. Establishes baseline measurement skills used to track progress across all chapters.

Lesson 3 • Biomechanics of Grip and Pinch

Analyses force distribution, joint loading, and muscle synergies during functional grasp patterns. Links biomechanical principles to injury mechanisms and treatment planning.

Lesson 1 • Special Tests for Common Conditions

Presents evidence-based provocative tests for tendinopathy, instability, nerve compression, and vascular compromise. Integrates test clusters to improve diagnostic accuracy.

Lesson 2 • Strength and Functional Testing

Applies standardised grip, pinch, and manual muscle testing protocols to quantify strength deficits. Results stratify patients for appropriate intervention intensity.

Lesson 3 • Integrating Evaluation into a Clinical Report

Synthesises all evaluation data into a structured clinical report with problem list and goals. Prepares students to communicate findings to referring providers and payers.

Lesson 4 • Observation and Palpation Techniques

Trains structured visual inspection and precise palpation of bony landmarks, tendons, and soft tissue. Establishes the first tier of the evaluation sequence.

Lesson 1 • Pathophysiology of Hand Edema

Explains inflammatory, lymphatic, and venous mechanisms driving hand edema after injury or surgery. Understanding etiology guides selection of appropriate edema interventions.

Lesson 2 • Dressing Selection and Application

Presents evidence-based dressing categories matched to wound characteristics and healing phase. Students apply dressings that protect function while promoting moist wound healing.

Lesson 3 • Edema Reduction Techniques

Covers elevation, retrograde massage, compression wrapping, and manual lymphatic drainage for the hand. Techniques are sequenced by acuity and tissue tolerance.

Lesson 4 • Scar Management Principles

Introduces silicone, compression, and massage interventions for hypertrophic and keloid scars. Scar management integrates with splinting and exercise covered in subsequent chapters.

Lesson 1 • Thermoplastic Material Properties

Compares low-temperature thermoplastic materials by conformability, rigidity, memory, and bonding. Material selection directly affects fabrication technique and patient outcomes.

Lesson 2 • Orthotic Troubleshooting and Patient Education

Addresses common fit problems, skin breakdown, and patient non-compliance with orthotic wear. Effective education improves adherence and outcomes across all diagnostic groups.

Lesson 3 • Immobilisation Orthoses

Teaches fabrication of resting hand, wrist cock-up, thumb spica, and digit immobilisation splints. Immobilisation orthoses protect healing structures addressed in earlier wound and edema chapters.

Lesson 4 • Mobilisation and Serial Static Orthoses

Covers dynamic, static progressive, and serial static splinting to restore joint mobility. Mobilisation orthoses apply low-load prolonged stress to remodel contracted tissue.

Lesson 1 • Tendon Gliding and Strengthening Progression

Sequences tendon gliding exercises, blocking exercises, and progressive resistance to restore full excursion and strength. Progression is guided by tendon healing timeline and clinical response.

Lesson 2 • Extensor Tendon Zones and Protocols

Covers extensor tendon zones I–VIII and matched rehabilitation approaches for each. Zone-specific protocols prevent boutonniere and swan-neck deformity development.

Lesson 3 • Early Active Flexor Tendon Protocols

Presents place-and-hold, controlled active motion, and synergistic wrist protocols for repaired flexors. Early motion reduces adhesion formation while respecting repair integrity.

Lesson 4 • Flexor Tendon Anatomy and Injury Classification

Reviews flexor tendon zones, pulley system, and repair techniques relevant to rehabilitation decisions. Zone-specific anatomy determines protocol selection and orthotic design.

Lesson 1 • Peripheral Nerve Anatomy and Injury Classification

Reviews median, ulnar, and radial nerve anatomy alongside Sunderland and Seddon classification systems. Classification determines prognosis and guides rehabilitation intensity.

Lesson 2 • Compression Neuropathy Management

Presents conservative and post-surgical management of carpal tunnel, cubital tunnel, and radial tunnel syndromes. Activity modification and orthotic intervention are primary conservative tools.

Lesson 3 • Sensory Evaluation and Re-education

Covers quantitative sensory testing and structured sensory re-education programmes for nerve recovery. Sensory re-education accelerates cortical remapping after nerve repair.

Lesson 4 • Motor Recovery and Substitution Strategies

Addresses motor re-education, muscle re-innervation facilitation, and tendon transfer rehabilitation. Motor substitution prevents deformity while awaiting nerve regeneration.

Lesson 1 • Fracture Healing and Fixation Methods

Reviews fracture healing biology and common fixation techniques including K-wires, plates, and external fixators. Fixation method determines permissible early motion and orthotic design.

Lesson 2 • Osteoarthritis and Thumb CMC Rehabilitation

Focuses on thumb carpometacarpal and interphalangeal osteoarthritis with orthotic, exercise, and activity modification interventions. CMC arthritis is among the most common hand therapy referrals.

Lesson 3 • Inflammatory Arthritis Hand Management

Covers rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis joint protection, orthotic intervention, and exercise programming. Deformity prevention and energy conservation are primary rehabilitation goals.

Lesson 4 • Post-Fracture Rehabilitation Protocols

Sequences immobilization, early mobilization, and strengthening phases for common hand and wrist fractures. Protocols are matched to fixation stability and surgeon protocol.

Lesson 1 • Complex Regional Pain Syndrome Management

Presents diagnostic criteria, staging, and multimodal rehabilitation for CRPS affecting the hand. Graded exposure and desensitisation are core treatment strategies.

Lesson 2 • Dupuytren's Disease Rehabilitation

Covers post-fasciectomy, needle aponeurotomy, and collagenase injection rehabilitation for Dupuytren's contracture. Extension orthosis and scar management are primary post-procedural interventions.

Lesson 3 • Work-Related Hand Injury Rehabilitation

Applies functional capacity evaluation, work simulation, and ergonomic analysis to occupational hand injuries. Return-to-work planning integrates medical, functional, and vocational factors.

Lesson 4 • Advanced Clinical Reasoning and Case Synthesis

Challenges students to synthesise evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment planning for multi-pathology cases. Develops the expert-level pattern recognition that defines advanced hand therapy practice.