PTA 213 - Orthopedic Physical Therapy

1. State the general guidelines, precautions/contraindications for treatment of selected orthopedic conditions and surgical interventions.
2. Select and perform a comprehensive orthopedic intervention program, including progression, when given a protocol, plan of care or treatment goals.
3. Educate a patient or family member in a home portion of an intervention plan.
4. Select and perform selective orthopedic screening tests/tools and document findings.
5. Describe typical tissue healing times and phases of healing.
6. Discuss the rationale for post-operative precautions.
7. Describe rationale for selected orthopedic interventions and the expected response.
8. Describe the presentation, pathology, and impairments of common orthopedic conditions such as osteo arthritis, tendinitis/osis, sprains, dislocations, fractures.
9. Describe how tissue irritability and staging influences intervention selection and intensity.
10. Document an intervention session of orthopedic PT using SOAP note format.
11. Develop a home program and instruct the patient in the program.
12. State principles of ergonomics, make modifications for optimal ergonomics.
13. Apply principles of pain science to treat individuals with chronic pain or pain sensitization.

1. Implement plans of care developed by physical therapists.
2. Provide care in a safe, legal and ethical manner.
3. Communicate effectively and appropriately with patients, families, physical therapists and other care providers both verbally and non‐verbally including accurate written communication and documentation.
4. Instruct patients, families and other health care providers using techniques consistent with the level of the audience.
5. Function as integral team members and participate in the team process.
6. Transition to successful employment as PTA.

• Critical Thinking - Critical thinking finds expression in all disciplines and everyday life. It is characterized by an ability to reflect upon thinking patterns, including the role of emotions on thoughts, and to rigorously assess the quality of thought through its work products. Critical thinkers routinely evaluate thinking processes and alter them, as necessary, to facilitate an improvement in their thinking and potentially foster certain dispositions or intellectual traits over time.
• Responsibility - Responsibility encompasses those behaviors and dispositions necessary for students to be effective members of a community. This outcome is designed to help students recognize the value of a commitment to those responsibilities which will enable them to work successfully individually and with others.
• Written Communication - Written Communication encompasses all the abilities necessary for effective expression of thoughts, feelings, and ideas in written form.