Course is closely integrated with PTH 212 in order to provide a thorough and unified approach to evaluation and management of orthopedic disorders. Concepts in clinical reasoning and differential diagnosis are developed in detail, and used as the framework for applying principles of subjective and physical examination. Students are introduced to manual therapy as a form of assessment and treatment, and apply concepts learned throughout the curriculum in the development of sound management decisions. Differential diagnosis is emphasized and students are instructed in performance of diagnostic and treatment procedures for contractile, inert and neural tissue dysfunction. Establishing functional goals and justification for patient management decisions is emphasized.
Course employs extensive use of case studies in application and practice of course content.
A combination of lecture and laboratory designed to prepare students to safely, legally, ethically and appropriately apply heat, cold, light, sound, water and mechanical traction, mechanical compression, massage and soft tissue mobilization in the management of pain and physical dysfunction. Lecture content and interactive case studies are designed to assist the student in applying concepts of clinical reasoning, stages of tissue healing and pain mechanisms while making management decisions in the appropriate use of these procedures. The course also includes an introduction to the basic principles of taping and wrapping, wound care and dressing, and womens' health issues specific to soft tissue mobilization with lymphedema in the post-mastectomy patient. Introduction to the philosophy and principles of scientific methods of inquiry used in research and problem solving. Includes identification of problems, construction of hypotheses, and initial development of research question and proposal.