PTA 146 Orthopedics II

7 credits

Students must meet with a faculty adviser prior to registration.
Corequisites: PTA 136  and PTA 156 

Quarters Offered: Spring

Student Outcomes/Competencies:
Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

• Describe common soft tissue injuries, fractures, and diseases of the foot and ankle, knee, hip, spine, pelvis, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand
• Describe clinically relevant physical therapy interventions used during periods of
  • muscle injury, repair, and immobilization
  • tendon and ligament healing
  • bone and cartilage healing
• Implement selected components of interventions for patients with musculoskeletal disorders as identified in the plan of care established by the physical therapist including:
  • Body mechanics and postural training
  • Manual therapy techniques - soft tissue mobilization
  • Mechanical modalities
  • Therapeutic exercise
  • Coordination and agility training
  • Flexibility exercises
  • Strength, power, and endurance training
• Perform components of data collection skills essential for carrying out the plan of care established by the physical therapist including:
  • Posture and body mechanics
  • Location and intensity of pain
  • Joint integrity and mobility
  • Range of motion
  • Muscle performance
• When providing interventions and associated data collection techniques:
  • Display professional behaviors consistent with the expectations of the physical therapy profession
  • Apply problem-solving and critical thinking skills to support patient safety and communication with the physical therapist
  • Explain the rationale for selected interventions to achieve patient goals as identified in the plan of care
  • Identify indications, contraindications, precautions and safety considerations for the patient
  • Identify when a directed intervention is either beyond the scope of work or personal scope of work of a physical therapist assistant
  • Prepare and maintain a safe working environment
  • Handle patients using safe techniques and appropriate body mechanics
  • Position and drape the patient to protect patient modesty, privacy, and dignity
  • Provide clear instructions, apply principles of learning, and use a variety of teaching strategies when educating patients, caregivers, and other members of the health care team as directed by the supervising physical therapist
  • As appropriate to the role of the PTA, promote health, wellness, safety awareness and prevention behaviors in patients
  • Use appropriate terminology, abbreviations, and grammar in communication
  • Select relevant information for documentation and billing purposes
  • Identify relevant information to communicate to the physical therapist for the discharge planning process
  • Maintain and use physical therapy equipment effectively