PHT 2252 - Orthopedic Disabilities and Treatment

Health Science Department

Credit(s): 3
Contact Hours: 47
Effective Term Spring 2025 (645)

Requisites

Prerequisite PHT 1121 with a minimum grade of C and
Prerequisite PHT 1121L with a minimum grade of C and
Prerequisite PHT 1200 with a minimum grade of C and
Prerequisite PHT 1200L with a minimum grade of C and
Pre- or Co-requisite PHT 1217 with a minimum grade of C and
Pre- or Co-requisite PHT 1217L with a minimum grade of C and
Pre- or Co-requisite PHT 2252L with a minimum grade of C

Course Description

This course provides a basic knowledge of selected orthopedic disabilities encountered in physical therapy practice. Emphasis is on the etiology, pathology and clinical picture of diseases studied. Use of physical therapy modalities and procedures used in each disability is discussed.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will discuss anatomical, physiological and pathophysiologic principles associated with the musculoskeletal system.
    1. Describe the stages of healing for all tissue types for the musculoskeletal system.
    2. Describe Wolf’s law related to normal bone tissue and the healing process associated with a fracture.
    3. Explain the effects of immobilization on the musculoskeletal system.
    4. Describe referred pain.
    5. Identify dermatomes for the lumbar spinal nerves.
    6. Describe the incidence, etiology, pathology, clinical picture, signs and symptoms, and prognosis of musculoskeletal diseases and disorders commonly encountered in physical therapy.
  2. The student will discuss medical management of patients with orthopedic conditions.
    1. Describe common medical and surgical management of diseases and disorders covered in the course.
    2. Describe common diagnostic tests used to evaluate the musculoskeletal system.
    3. Identify complications, contraindications and precautions associated with common orthopedic surgical procedures, and describe the appropriate response of the physical therapist assistant.
    4. Identify appropriate patient-centered interprofessional care for patients with musculoskeletal conditions.
  3. The student will discuss physical therapy management of patients with orthopedic conditions.
    1. Identify special tests used by physical therapist to evaluate musculoskeletal disorders.
    2. Describe how the physical therapist assistant will utilize findings from special tests as documented in the plan of care directed and supervised by a physical therapist to guide clinical problem solving.
    3. Identify physical therapy interventions typically used for the musculoskeletal diseases and disorders covered in this course.
    4. Identify indications, contraindications and precautions for physical therapy interventions as they relate to the conditions covered in this course.
    5. Describe effects, side effects, and potential interactions of common orthopedic medications with physical therapy interventions for patients with various diseases and disorders discussed in this course.
    6. Describe the safety, status, and progression of patients with musculoskeletal disorders while engaged in gait, locomotion, balance, wheelchair management and mobility.
    7. Effectively educate a patient/client/self in a home exercise program.
    8. Describe the use of peripheral joint mobilization in physical therapy to include:
      1. Define the convex-concave rule.
      2. Define the five grades of joint mobilization.
      3. Describe the different types of joint end-feel.
      4. Define capsular and noncapsular patterns.
      5. Identify the capsular patterns of each joint.
      6. Discuss the indications, relative contraindications, and contraindications for joint mobilization.
      7. Discuss the clinical applications of peripheral joint mobilization for select disorders.
    9. Describe basic principles of management of patients with a prosthetic device to include:
      1. Explain the benefits of early fitting of the prosthesis and the value of prosthetic training.
      2. Identify common gait deviations associated with the use of lower extremity prosthetics.
      3. Explain common complications following amputations, their causes and corrections, and instruct and collaborate with other members of the healthcare team using established techniques, programs, and instructional material directed and supervised by a physical therapist.
      4. Identify the different components and sockets for prosthetic devices.
      5. Summarize strategies used to determine the individual’s and caregiver’s ability to care for the prosthetic device.
      6. Identify pressure sensitive areas of the Patellar Tendon Bearing, PTB, socket.
    10. Analyze the effects of poor posture and body mechanics on the spine and activities, positions, and postures that aggravate or relieve pain and/alter sensations.
    11. Provide patient education regarding strategies for maintaining proper posture while wearing a backpack.
    12. Identify proper shoe selection and orthotics for a pronated versus a supinated foot.
    13. Summarize how special tests and postural assessments were performed in a volunteer activity you attended in the first year of the program.
    14. Identify accurate and timely information for billing and payment for patients with musculoskeletal conditions in hospitals and out-patient centers.
  4. The student will identify a physical therapist assistant career development or lifelong learning opportunity related to orthopedics.
    1. Describe how a physical therapist assistant may maintain contemporary orthopedic clinical practice post-graduation.
    2. List orthopedic continuing education opportunities that are available to licensed physical therapist assistants.
  5. The student will indicate components of organizational planning and operation of physical therapy services for patients with musculoskeletal conditions in hospitals and outpatient centers.
    1. Identify the essential elements of planning physical therapy services in an inpatient and outpatient setting.
    2. Describe the role of a physical therapist assistant in the planning and execution of physical therapy services in an inpatient and outpatient setting.

Criteria Performance Standard

Upon successful completion of the course the student will, with a minimum of 78% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual course instructors.

History of Changes

Revised 8/15/83, 8/84, 7/85 C&I 10/12/99; DBT 11/26/99, DBT 11/21/85; DBT 12/12/85 Effective 19992. State Change 12/85 C&I 10/24/00, DBT 11/21/00, Effective Session 19861 Eff Session II, 2000 (20002). DBT 12/11/86. 3 Year Review 2004. Effective Session 19871. C&I 10/25/05, BOT 11/15/05, Revised 7/88 Eff20061(0370). DBT 5/18/89. “C” grades eff 20081(0400). SCN Change 7/10/89 C&I 10/27/09, BOT 12/15/09, Effective Session 19891 Effective 20092(0420). 3 YR C&I Review 1993-94 3 Year Review Due 2010. C&I Approval: 10/27/2009, BOT Approval: 12/15/2009, Effective Term: Spring 2010 (420). C&I Approval: , BOT Approval: , Effective Term: Spring 2016 (510). C&I Approval: , BOT Approval: , Effective Term: Spring 2017 (525). C&I Approval: , BOT Approval: , Effective Term: Spring 2018 (540). C&I Approval: , BOT Approval: , Effective Term: Fall 2018 (550).
C&I Approval: 07/19/2024, BOT Approval: 09/17/2024, Effective Term: Spring 2025 (645)

Related Programs

  1. Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA-AS) (640) (Active)