Course Information

Course Name:

Navigating Tightness: Keys to Finding Function for Children with Lower Extremity Deficits

Course Description:

This interactive course will introduce the learner to the risk factors of lower extremity muscle tightness and proactive treatment options. The in-depth case studies, hands-on game, and group discussions will help the learner recognize how to effectively listen and communicate with families and other healthcare team members, how to manage expectations, how to creatively problem solve using dynamic stability, and how to proactively treat patients with lower extremity tightness. Learn the 6 F-Words of Child Development, recognized goals for every patient and family experiencing consequences of neuromuscular deficits. Discuss how to help families find the best F-Words for their child using the keys to navigate through tightness. This course is designed with multiple interactive sessions that will allow the learner to integrate material and make changes with their own patients.

Course/learner objective:

- Using evidence, learners will be able to recommend orthotic devices to treat patients with lower extremity tightness

- Learners will be able to describe the keys to navigate through obstacles that challenge patients with lower extremity tightness

- Learners will be able to explain typical obstacles they encounter when treating tightness

- Learners will be able to describe patient presentations and risk factors for lower extremity tightness

- Learners will be able to communicate break in and wear schedule of orthotic devices for families

- Learners will be able to communicate how interventions will help achieve goals using the F-Words for Child Development

Outline: (3.0 Hours)

- 10 min -- Introduction: Introduce speaker and course objectives, review course pre-work

- 10 min -- Keys & Obstacles 10 min: Explain the obstacles facing patients and families, the various passages or journeys the patients are on, and the keys to navigating through the obstacles

- 10 min -- Patient 1 Background Story: Show video of patient through the evaluation process and explain the obstacles the patient, family and healthcare team are facing. Discuss the obstacles and how they might affect treatment and outcomes.

- 10 min -- Solution for Patient 1: Discuss how the Surestep Toe Walking SMO can be the key to the obstacles patient 1 is facing. Explain how to recognize underlying deficits leading to toe walking, why dynamic stability is important for reducing underlying deficits and toe walking, and how to facilitate more typical postural control and gait. We will also discuss how to communicate with families about wear and care information.

- 20 min -- Break Out Session 1: In small groups, attendees will play a game to integrate the knowledge and skills previously discussed to help Patient 1 navigate through their journey to finding the F-Words. They will work as a team to discuss treatment solutions and how they would use the keys to navigate through the obstacles.

- 15 min -- Break Out Session 1 Take-Aways: Discuss take-aways from the breakout session. Watch videos and analyze outcomes from patient 1.

- 10 min -- Patient 2 Background Story: Show video of patient through the evaluation process and explain the obstacles the patient, family and healthcare team are facing. Discuss the obstacles and how they might affect treatment and outcomes.

- 15 min -- Solution for Patient 2: Discuss how the Surestep Indy 2 Stage AFO can be the key to the obstacles patient 2 is facing. Explain how to recognize underlying deficits leading to toe walking, why dynamic stability is important for reducing underlying deficits and toe walking, and how to facilitate more typical postural control and gait. We will also discuss how to communicate with families about wear and care information.

- 20 min -- Break Out Session 2: In small groups, attendees will play a game to integrate the knowledge and skills previously discussed to help Patient 2 navigate through their journey to finding the F-Words. They will work as a team to discuss treatment solutions and how they would use the keys to navigate through the obstacles.

- 20 min -- Break Out Session 2 Take-Aways: Discuss take-aways from the breakout session. Watch videos and analyze outcomes from patient 2.

- 25 min -- Contracture Management: Discuss orthotic management of contractures in conjunction with other medical intervention. Explain best practices to communicate with families and manage expectations to maximize compliance and outcomes. Using the keys, attendees will reflect in small groups to create a story that shows their understanding of how to navigate tightness in patients with contractures.

- 15 min -- Close: Questions & answers and final take-aways