The topic of this capstone is the creation of an evidence-based resource for educating undergraduate occupational therapy students in improving skills associated with splinting, range of motion and the proper used of a goniometer with people living with a musculoskeletal deformity associated with the upper extremity. Some of the aberrations highlighted in this manual include deformities of the elbow, wrist, and fingers. Students will be able to incorporate strategies learned from this manual and determine if the content is helpful in building a deeper understanding of the concepts needed for splinting people diagnosed with various upper extremity deformities. After reviewing the content in this manual, students will be more comfortable to be able to select and fabricate the appropriate splint based on the needs of the client. Students will be able to use this manual as a tool throughout the continuum of their professional development of becoming Occupational Therapists (OT) skilled in providing services that meet the growing needs of the people diagnosed with musculoskeletal deformities affecting the upper extremity. It is imperitive to include that the intent of this project is not to replace existing information on splinting but to add additional resources focused on splinting uncommon deformities associated with severe upper extremity deformities.
