Catalog 2018-2019 
    
    Mar 19, 2024  
Catalog 2018-2019 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

PTA 145 Orthopedics I

5 credits
Principles of therapeutic exercise and intervention skills for aerobic conditioning, agility training, postural awareness and stabilization, strengthening, flexibility and electrotherapeutic modalities. Data collection skills for joint movement and muscle performance. Review of pathology and application of skills for common musculoskeletal conditions.

Prerequisites: BIOL& 242 , PTA 105 , PTA 115  , PTA 117 , and PTA 125  

Corequisites: PTA 126 , PTA 135 , and PTA 155  

Quarters Offered: Winter

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

  • Describe physiological responses during exercise
  • Identify adaptations and changes in anatomy and physiology as a result of exercise
  • Explain physiological responses to diminished activity
  • Explain general healing mechanisms for specific tissue types including bone and soft tissue healing
  • Apply concepts of anatomy, biomechanics, pathophysiology, and exercise physiology to implement safe and effective therapeutic exercise interventions within the plan of care
  • Describe the effects of electrical currents in the application of electrotherapeutic modality interventions
  • Implement selected components of electrotherapeutic modality interventions as identified within the plan of care established by the physical therapist
  • Implement selected components of intervention techniques including:
    • Interview patients/clients, caregivers and family to obtain current information related to prior and current level of function and general health status
    • Therapeutic exercise
    • Aerobic capacity / endurance conditioning and reconditioning
    • Breathing and relaxation strategies relevant to the intervention
    • Body mechanics and postural training
    • Manual therapy - passive range of motion
    • Flexibility exercises
    • Coordination and agility training
    • 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:
    • Aerobic capacity and endurance
    • Electrotherapeutic agents
    • Functional range of motion
    • Joint range of motion
    • Joint integrity and mobility
    • Muscle length
    • Muscle function and performance
    • Location and intensity of pain
    • Posture and body mechanics
  • When providing interventions and associated data collection techniques:
    • Display professional behaviors consistent with the expectations of the physical therapy profession
    • Protect patient modesty, privacy, and dignity
    • Apply current physical therapy knowledge, theory and clinical judgement
    • Consider the patient/client perspective and treatment environment.
    • 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
    • Explain the rationale for selected interventions to achieve patient goals as identified in the plan of care
    • Review health records prior to carrying out the plan of care.
    • Monitor and adjust interventions within the plan of care in response to patient/client status and clinical indications
    • Report any changes in patient status or progress to the supervising physical therapist
    • Identify indications, contraindications, precautions and safety considerations for the patient and determine if the treatment intervention is appropriate
    • Determine when a directed intervention is either beyond the scope of work or personal scope of work of a physical therapist assistant
    • Identify relevant information to communicate to the physical therapist for the discharge planning process
    • Recognize activities, positioning and posture that aggravate or relieve pain
    • Select relevant information for documentation
    • Prepare and maintain a safe working environment
    • Handle patients using safe techniques and appropriate body mechanics
    • Select relevant information for documentation and billing purposes  
    • As appropriate to the PTA, maintain and use physical therapy equipment safely and effectively
    • Provide patient centered care


Total Hours: 70 Lecture Hours: 30 Lab or Clinical Hours: 40