PTA 104 PT Interventions - Musculoskeletal Conditions

This course is designed to assist students in gaining a greater understanding of musculoskeletal health conditions, and their effects across the lifespan. Anatomy, physiology, etiology, and theory are integrated with clinical considerations for effective physical therapy treatment.

Credits

5

Prerequisite

PTA 103 and PTA 132 with a C or better (both also may be taken as a corequisite) and admission into the PTA Program

Corequisite

PTA 104L or PTA 104LR

Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Describe the anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of skeletal system disease and disorders across the lifespan: (a) Osteoarthritis; (b) Rheumatoid arthritis; (c) Fracture; (d) Intervertebral disc pathology; (e) Facet joint pathology; (f) Hypermobility in the extremities; (g) Hypomobility in the extremities; (h) Repetitive use syndromes; (i) Osteoporosis; (j) Pregnancy-induced syndromes; (k) Post-operative musculoskeletal conditions
2. Recognize how tissue healing stage affects physical therapy plan of care implementation
3. Integrate the ICF domains and disablement models into clinical reasoning and decision-making
4. Apply motor learning principles to optimize function, activity, and wellness
5. Select interventions that demonstrate competency in implementing the physical therapy plan of care: (a) Activities of daily living; (b) Assistive/adaptive devices; (c) Body mechanics; (d) Gait training; (e) ROM (P/AA/A/R); (f) Therapeutic exercise; (g) Stabilization; (h) Stretching; (i)Strengthening; (j) Conditioning; (k) Traction; (l) Manual techniques; (m) Scar mobilization; (n) Postural training (o) IADL training
6. Uses relevant tests and measures and data collection skills to inform clinical-decision making and effective plan of care implementation: (a) Physiological response to position and activity changes; (b) Height, weight, and limb length (c) Signs and symptoms of misfit (assistive device, orthotic); (d) Level of assist, safety, status (e.g., weight bearing), context; (e) Standardized questionnaires, graphs, behavioral scales, or visual analog scales for pain; (f) Integumentary changes; (g) Activities that aggravate or relieve pain, dyspnea, or other symptoms; (h) Postural alignment
7. Adjust interventions within the plan of care established by the physical therapist based on patient response
8. Communicate effectively with the supervising physical therapist when the physical therapy plan of care implementation is adjusted or withheld based on the patient response or physical therapy scope of practice
9. Instruct patients, family members, and caregivers in supportive techniques to optimize activity, prevent injury, and/or promote wellness
10. Develop effective workplace and lifelong learning strategies to promote teamwork and collaborative problem-solving
11. Provide accurate information for billing and reimbursement purposes
12. Define domestic violence including risk factors and common symptoms of abuse