2026 1st Quarter Variety Webinar

Contact Hours: 4.25 (Pending CBOT HTC application)

Date: 2/28/26 

Cost: TBA

Agenda:

08:00 - 09:00 - Zone 1 Flexor Tendon Management: Considering the Influence of Intrinsic Anatomy on Extrinsic Tendon Function - Mike Cricchio, MBA, OT/L, CHT

09:00 - 10:00 - Therapeutic Management of Elbow Stiffness - Joey Pipicelli, MScOT, CHT

10:00 - 10:15 - Break

10:15 - 11:15 - Therapeutic Management of PIP Joint Injuries - Joey Pipicelli, MScOT, CHT

11:15 -12:30 - Living with EDS – Early Vs Late presentation - Saba Kamal, OTR, CHT

Course descriptions and objectives:

Zone 1 Flexor Tendon Management: Considering the Influence of Intrinsic Anatomy on Extrinsic Tendon Function

This course is ideal for occupational therapists who are interested in advancing their understanding of intrinsic and extrinsic hand anatomy, biomechanics, and evidence-based treatment. The course will deliver  didactic instruction to provide the learner with a few practical evaluation and treatment techniques. The content is applicable for those preparing for the CHT Exam as well as those pursuing a study of the upper extremity. This course will expand your clinical reasoning via case study analysis regardless of your level of experience.

Objectives:

1.     Identify an understanding of intrinsic anatomy and relational anatomy of the hand within the context of specific Zone 1 Flexor Tendon injuries.

2.     Differentiate between initial and concluding knowledge of intrinsic anatomy and its role in the treatment of Zone 1  Flexor Tendon injuries.

3.     Differentiate the difference and value of studying the intrinsics of the hand via various educational modes and media in relation to Zone 1 Flexor Tendon Management

Therapeutic Management of Elbow Stiffness

Description of the Presentation:

• This session revisits the essentials of elbow stiffness, covering anatomy, clinical evaluation, and classification. Participants will also review current approaches to managing post-traumatic stiffness, including rehabilitation strategies and contracture release surgery.

Learning Objectives:

Following this session participants will be able to:

• Describe the relevant anatomy and biomechanical considerations of the elbow as they relate to stiffness and loss of motion.
• Perform and interpret a structured clinical examination of the stiff elbow, including classification of elbow stiffness.
• Apply evidence-based management strategies for post-traumatic elbow stiffness, incorporating serial static, static-progressive, and dynamic orthotic interventions to improve range of motion and function.

Therapeutic Management of PIP Joint Injuries-

• Proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint injuries are common and can lead to significant morbidity if not managed appropriately. This session will provide an in-depth review of PIP joint anatomy and the key structures involved in post-traumatic care. Participants will explore evidence-based strategies for managing a range of PIP joint injuries, including dorsal, volar, lateral, and combined dislocations, as well as volar-lip fractures, dorsal-lip fractures, and central slip injuries. Join us to enhance your understanding and optimize outcomes for patients with these challenging injuries.

Learning Objectives:

Following this session participants will be able to:

• Understand the Anatomy of the PIP Joint. Describe the key anatomical structures of the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint and their relevance in post-traumatic management.
• Identify Common PIP Joint Injury Patterns. Differentiate between various types of PIP joint injuries, including dorsal, volar, lateral, and combined dislocations, as well as volar-lip fractures, dorsal-lip fractures, and central slip injuries.
• Apply Evidence-Based Management Strategies. Demonstrate knowledge of current evidence-based interventions for optimizing outcomes in patients with PIP joint injuries.

Living with EDS – Early Vs Late presentation

EDS aka double jointed is a missed opportunity for the therapists to intervene to make lifelong changes and improve the quality of life of these people.
Learn how the symptoms EDS and hEDS change from an early to late presentation.
Few present early with symptoms however, early education and prevention is the key in the management of the hereditary disorder for improved quality of life.
Genetic factors play a role in the diagnosis, but not all codes have been identified. Thus, there are many who get lost through the cracks. However, what comes next shapes their journey. Hand Therapists can be crucial in educating this population about the diagnosis and on the progression of the disease, teaching adaptation, functional splints/ taping and exercises along with AI generated prediction on their disease process based on their lifestyle. If not managed these patients may require surgery, however, many fail due
to lack of assessment of the underlying cause and application of incorrect treatment. Thus, therapists can be influential in filling the cracks by educating patients on the disease process and surgeries thus making lasting changes and improving their quality of life.

This engaging lecture will be packed with dynamic case studies and video demonstrations, showcasing a variety of real-world scenarios in the management of this patient population. The course is designed with a multidisciplinary approach at its core, emphasizing the collaborative efforts needed for effective care. It begins with primary care professionals, who play a pivotal role in early diagnosis, followed by therapists who empower patients by educating them on symptom management. As symptoms evolve, ongoing management strategies are key to improving patient well-being. Surgeons also play an integral role, performing precise surgeries that significantly enhance the quality of life for these individuals. Together, this holistic approach ensures a comprehensive treatment journey, ultimately making a profound impact on patient outcomes.

Learn how to identify the root cause of insidious hand pain in individuals with hypermobility and provide effective pain relief without stretching the ligaments. Explore comprehensive management strategies, from using functional splints to incorporating proprioception, postural exercises and managing nerve symptoms from neck to fingertips. Gain practical knowledge with case studies on taping techniques, effective splinting, and how to address the unique challenges of this population. Understand the PENTAD and its impact on therapy and make a compelling economic case for early diagnosis and targeted treatment of EDS to improve long-term outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.

Objectives:

1. Participants will be able to Define, assess patients with underlying EDS pathology for patients with multiple joint pains along with neurological symptoms

2. Participants will be able to manage patients symptoms with underlying EDS pathology for patients with multiple joint pains along with neurological symptoms

3. At the end of the presentation therapists will be confident in providing a holistic outcome for patients with EDS and their future management.

Speakers Bios:

Mike Cricchio, MBA, OT/L, CHT, is a graduate of the Loma Linda University Occupational Therapy Program. He completed a Hand and Upper Extremity Fellowship at Stanford University Hospital in 1996 and went on to earn a Master’s of Business Administration. He is a Certified Hand Therapist and active clinical educator.

Mike has provided instructional education on an array of clinical and practice management concepts for several annual ASHT and ASHT/ASSH conferences. He has been the Vice Chair and/or Chair of ASHT national conferences in Phoenix, Boston, San Diego and Chicago. Mike presently works as the Manager of UFHealth Hand and Upper Extremity Center and Educational Conference Coordinator of UF Health Rehab.

Mike co-founded and chairs the Teton Hand and Upper Extremity Conference Series and is owner of UE | Applications. He has been an item writer for HTCC and participated as a member of the CHT exam review committee. Mike is actively involved with UF | Innovate and UE | Applications to bring entrepreneurial concepts/ideas to market. As an Adjunct Faculty member at University of Florida Occupational Therapy Program, Mike taught Kinesiology in the Bachelor of Health Science Program for years and presently continues to teach in the Foundations of Occupational Therapy in the Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program. Mike has also been a regular Guest Lecturer on upper extremity anatomy and injury at the University of Florida Physical Therapy and Masters of Athletic Training Programs. Mike is published in the Journal Hand Therapy. He is presently involved with ongoing IRB research related to Total and Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty and the incorporation of The Dell Hand, as a model to advance the educational experience and improve retention of hand anatomy within the occupational therapy classroom.

Mike continues to teach locally and nationally on a range upper extremity topics. Mike has been, or is presently, an Invited Speaker, or class host, for The Florida Hand Society, The Michigan Hand Society, The Georgia Hand and Upper Extremity Special Interest Group, UCLA Health Science Outpatient Clinic, Select Medical Master Class, Western University | Canada, Capital Hand Therapy Association and for The Teton Hand and Upper Extremity Conference Series, LLC.

Joey Pipicelli, MScOT, CHT earned his Master of Science in Occupational Therapy from Western University in 2003 and achieved certification as a Hand Therapist in 2008. Since 2009, he has served as a Hand Therapist at the Roth | McFarlane Hand and Upper Limb Centre (RM-HULC) in London, Ontario—one of Canada’s leading centres for upper extremity care. Joey currently holds the role of Coordinator of the Chinchalkar Hand Therapy Fellowship Program at RM-HULC, where he mentors clinicians pursuing advanced training in hand therapy. He is also a Lecturer at Western University, contributing to both the School of Occupational Therapy and the Upper Extremity Rehabilitation stream of the Advanced Health Care Practice program within the Faculty of Health Sciences. His teaching focuses on orthotic fabrication and comprehensive upper extremity rehabilitation. In addition to his clinical and academic work, Joey is currently serving as the President of the Canadian Society of Hand Therapists. A committed educator, he is actively involved in the clinical training of occupational therapy students, medical students, residents, and orthopaedic and plastic surgery fellows at RM-HULC. Joey remains passionate about mentoring the next generation of therapists and advancing the practice of hand therapy through education, leadership, and collaborative care.

Saba Kamal, OTR, CHT is a healthcare entrepreneur and hand and upper extremity therapist with over three decades of experience spanning clinical practice, healthcare education, and professional leadership. She has delivered talks at national and international conferences, collaborating closely with surgeons and therapists to advance the field of upper extremity rehabilitation.

Her contributions include leadership roles in professional societies (Initiated and chaired HTA-Ca conferences 2011-2019), the development of innovative treatment approaches, and dedicated mentorship to students and clinicians. Most recently, she sold her successful therapy practices and has completed a Healthcare Leadership certificate at Johns Hopkins University. She has also written various articles and is the author of Treating Musicians as Athletes available on Amazon and B&N.
In addition to continuing to educate therapists through her Hand-On courses with Advanced Rehab Seminars, Saba is also working on several hand therapy-related inventions aimed at bringing innovative solutions to the market.