Loading...

Course Description

This is a two day, 15 contact hour course, involving both lecture and lab instruction.  This course is open only to licensed physical therapists. This course will cover the theory, evidence, and application of manual therapy procedures for patients with musculoskeletal disorders involving the lower extremity including the shoulder, elbow and wrist/hand.  This course provides evidence-informed instruction on differential diagnosis, examination and management of patients with upper extremity conditions. Manual therapy techniques, including thrust and non-thrust procedures, will be emphasized along with exercise prescription for patient with upper quarter disorders. Clinical decision making involving the application of examination and intervention procedures will be presented. 

Course Outline

Day 1

Time

 

Topic/Event

7:30 - 8:00 AM

Registration

8:00 - 8:15

Introduction

8:15-9:00

Differential Diagnosis and Screening of the Upper Quarter

  • Cervical spine vs. Shoulder
  • Referral from proximal regions
  • Medical diagnoses associated with the upper quarter.

9:00-10:45

Shoulder Examination

  • Ruling out C-spine and T-spine
  • Subacromial Impingment, Labral, Instability, RTC, adhesive capsulitis
  • Basic physical exam items (i.e. ? ROM, strength, flexibility)
  • Manual Physical Therapy Exam (i.e. ? joint mobility)
  • Importance of a thorough subjective history
  • Use of outcome measures including medical screening form, shoulder specific scales, Quick DASH, Patient Specific Functional Scale
  • Regional Interdependence
  • Post-operative considerations

11:00-12:00

Clinical decision making

  • Special tests
  • Shoulder Symptom Modification Procedure

12:00-1:00

Lunch 

1:00 -3:00 PM

Shoulder Interventions and Manual Therapy

  • Thrust and non-thrust procedures for shoulder region
  • Exercise considerations for shoulder disorders
  • Evidence regarding interventions for shoulder conditions
  • Scapular and spinal considerations

3:15-5:00

Special Shoulder Topics

  • Overhead athlete
  • Adhesive capsulitis
  • Thoracic outlet syndrome
  • Post operative

 

Day 2

Time

 

Topic/Event

8:00 ? 9:00

Review of Previous Material

9:00-10:30

Elbow/Wrist/Hand Examination

  • Basic Exam components
  • Ruling out proximal structures
  • Joint mobility assessment
  • Functional Tests
  • Examination of the kinetic chain
  • Regional Interdependence
  • Special Tests and their appropriate usage based on psychometric properties
  • Post operative considerations
  • Importance of a thorough subjective history
  • Use of outcome measures including medical screening form, elbow/wrist.hand specific scales, Quick DASH, Patient Specific Functional Scale
  • Test-item clusters for CTS, LE

10:45-12:00

Elbow, Wrist and Hand Interventions

  • Exercise considerations for elbow, wrist and hand
  • Evidence regarding interventions for elbow, wrist and hand conditions
  • Proximal considerations

12:00-1:00

Lunch 

1:00 -2:15 PM

Elbow, Wrist and Hand Manual Therapy

  • Thrust and non-thrust procedures for elbow, wrist and hand region
  • Evidence regarding manual therapy for elbow, wrist and hand conditions
  • Proximal considerations

2:15-2:45

Special Topics Elbow/Wrist/Hand

  • Complex Regional Pain Syndrome
  • Upper Quarter Neurodynamics
    • Ulnar, Median, Radial
    • Sliders vs. Tensioners
    • Decision Making

3:00-4:30

Case Assessments focusing on differential diagnosis and clinical decision making

4:30 -5:00

Review and Course Wrap-up

Learner Outcomes

At the conclusion of the course students will be able to:

  1. Conduct an accurate differential diagnosis for patients presenting with upper extremity region pain in order to identify serious disorders requiring referral. 

  2. Conduct an efficient and accurate clinical examination for patients with upper extremity region pain.

  3. Utilize the current, best evidence to inform physical therapy management of patients with upper extremity region musculoskeletal disorders.

  4. Perform skilled orthopaedic manual physical therapy interventions, including thrust and non-thrust techniques, targeting the upper extremity region. 

  5. Apply sound clinical decision making within a biopsychosocial model to the management of patients with upper extremity region musculoskeletal disorders.  

Loading...
Thank you for your interest in this course. Unfortunately, the course you have selected is currently not open for enrollment. Please complete a Course Inquiry so that we may promptly notify you when enrollment opens.