Fire & Ice
This is your go-to treatment during the first 48–72 hours after an acute injury.
What is Ice
What does TENS stand for?
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation
What are 3 features of the oofos?
Made of oofoam, used as a recovery shoe, has arch support, machine washable shock absorbing, reduces joint loading
Explain carpal tunnel syndrome like you're talking to someone who's never heard of a nerve.
Carpal Tunnel is the compression of the median nerve at the wrist. It is an overuse injury that results in a pinched or squeezed nerve through the bones in your hand/wrist causing numbness and tingling.
What is a boxer's fracture, and how did it get its name?
Fracture of the 5th metacarpal after likely punching something.
A customer says, "My muscles have been tight for weeks." Which temperature treatment would you likely recommend?"
What is Heat.
Who is an appropriate candidate for TENS therapy?
Helpful for people with:
Which hand holds the cane?
Hold the cane in the opposite hand from the injured leg.
What is CMC OA and how would you recommend bracing for it?
Carpal Metacarpal Arthritis. Night splint and functional day brace like the PUSH CMC OA.
A customer has a diagnosed scaphoid fracture. What brace would you recommend and why?
A Long wrist and thumb splint. Scaphoids only have one blood source so when they are fractured it can take longer to heal.
Name four cooling products we carry and tell us when you would choose each one.
What are: Biofreeze, Freeze Sleeves, Cold Rush Unit, Reusable Ice packs
Explain the Gate Control Theory without sounding like a physiology textbook.
The electrical stimulation helps "block" pain signals before they reach the brain.
Also promotes endorphin release.
List four things to remember when fitting crutches.
Crutch fitting:
Why is a neutral wrist brace considered the gold standard for carpal tunnel?
Neutral wrist braces reduce pressure inside the carpal tunnel while keeping the wrist in its most comfortable position.
What is a gutter fracture?
A gutter fracture involves the metacarpals/phalanges and is typically managed with an ulnar or radial gutter splint depending on the injured finger(s).
Explain the benefits of icing without using the words inflammation or vasoconstriction.
What is: "Ice helps calm the injury. It reduces pain, limits swelling, and makes it easier to move."
List important TENS safety, pad placement, and pad care instructions.
Teach customers:
Who is a good candidate for the iWalk 3.0?
Good iWalk candidate:
Name four carpal tunnel braces we carry and when you would recommend each one.
Bauerfeind Manuloc, Orliman Manutec Fix, Medi Manumed, Medspec Tripod-- depends on lifestyle and time of day.
What makes EXOS unique?
EXOS:
A customer asks, "What's the difference between moist heat and dry heat?" Give an explanation they'd actually understand.
What is: Moist heat transfers warmth deeper into tissues than dry heat. Good for:
Many people find it more comfortable because it penetrates deeper and doesn't dry out the skin.
A customer says, "Will this cure my pain?" How do you respond?
TENS helps manage pain—it doesn't fix the underlying injury.
A customer wants crutches, a cane, and an iWalk. Which questions help you decide what's actually appropriate?
Ask:
Daily Double 💥
A customer says,
"My wrist hurts."
Walk us through your assessment. What questions do you ask? What would you recommend?
Ask open ended questions to get the information you need, lifestyle, expectations of the brace etc. Maybe they need a functional day brace or a night splint depending on the answers.
Name three conditions where an Oval-8 splint could be useful.
Oval-8 uses: