PHT 2252L - Orthopedic Disabilities and Treatment Laboratory

Health Science Department

Credit(s): 2
Contact Hours: 62
Effective Term Spring 2025 (645)

Requisites

Pre- or Co-requisite PHT 2252 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

Course Description

This course provides the opportunity to develop basic skills in data collection and more advanced skills in therapeutic exercise techniques for common orthopedic conditions. Exercise programs for specific orthopedic pathologies are presented and practiced.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will execute tests and measures necessary to carry out the plan of care as directed by the physical therapist.
    1. Analyze normal posture and postural deviations to include:
      1. Position a simulated patient in relationship to a plumb line and collect data utilizing components of correct postural alignment.
      2. Describe the causes and effects of postural deviations with orthopedic disorders discussed in this course.
      3. Make modifications to selected interventions of orthopedic disorders where postures aggravate or relieve pain.
      4. Measure a simulated patient’s height and describe the causes and effects of the loss of height related to bone disorders discussed in this course.
    2. Perform basic goniometric measurement accurately, efficiently and safely on a simulated patient.
    3. Perform basic Manual Muscle Testing, MMT, on selected muscle groups accurately, efficiently, and safely on a simulated patient.
    4. Perform basic leg length and girth measurements accurately, efficiently, and safely on a simulated patient.
    5. Perform girth measurements accurately, and observe the presence or absence of muscle mass.
    6. Administer standardized questionnaires to self and others for simple musculoskeletal conditions.
    7. Summarize how any test and measure was performed in an observed volunteer activity that you participated in during the first year of the program.
    8. Describe appropriate physical therapist assistant involvement in determining a patient’s progression with gait and balance needs.
  2. The student will perform selected interventions as identified in the plan of care in a safe and competent manner using effective clinical decision-making skills.
    1. Implement exercise programs effectively, safely, and appropriately on a simulated patient with a simple musculoskeletal condition as indicated in a plan of care as directed by the supervising physical therapist to include:
      1. Identify the rationale for exercise.
      2. Modify the exercise depending on response of a simulated patient with moderate complexity.
      3. Report any changes in a simulated patient status to the supervising physical therapist as appropriate.
      4. Determine when exercise programs should not be performed due to clinical indications and when the performance of the intervention is beyond that which is appropriate for the physical therapist assistant.
      5. Progress exercise programs from moderate protection phase through minimal protection phase for simple to moderate complexity common musculoskeletal conditions.
      6. Participate in the provision of patient-centered interprofessional collaborative care with musculoskeletal conditions.
      7. Provide appropriate patient/client education in a home exercise program.
      8. Determine appropriate physical therapist assistant involvement with a patient’s discharge planning.
      9. Describe appropriate physical therapist assistant involvement in determining a patient’s progression with gait and balance needs.
  3. The student will recognize musculoskeletal anatomical and kinesiological principles necessary to carry out a plan of care as directed by the physical therapist.
    1. Identify the major structures of the musculoskeletal system:
      1. Palpate the selected structure.
      2. Describe the function of the structure.
      3. Describe components of the structure as they relate to specific simple to moderately complex musculoskeletal conditions.
  4. The student will recognize accurate and timely information for billing and payment for patients with musculoskeletal conditions.
    1. Identify appropriate billable charges related to physical therapy treatment of a simulated patient with an orthopedic condition.
    2. Submit accurate charges for orthopedic physical therapy services provided to a simulated patient.
  5. The student will perform components of organizational planning and operation of physical therapy services for patients with musculoskeletal conditions in hospitals and out-patient centers.
    1. Appropriately coordinate skilled physical therapy services from patient initial contact through completion of the physical therapy treatment.

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

DBT 5/18/93 Effective 19931 3YR C&I Review 1996-97 C&I 4/23/02, BOT 5/14/02, Effective 20021. C&I 10/25/05, BOT 11/15/05, Effective 20061(0370). C&I 11/28/06, BOT 1/22/07, Effective 20071(0385). “C” grades eff 20081(0400). C&I Approval: 09/16/2011, BOT Approval: 10/01/2011, Effective Term: Spring 2012 (450). 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)