Australia Chiropractic Continuing Education

• Discuss the fundamental role of trauma in musculoskeletal disease and the various diagnostic imaging techniques used to evaluate it
• Identify, describe, and classify fractures by both direct & indirect radiographic signs
• Review fractures of specific etiologies based upon imaging findings
• Evaluate fracture alignment issues, complications, and healing
• Identify non-accidental injury of childhood, as well as normal structures that mimic fractures

• Understand Osteoporosis - (risk factors, incidence, prevalence, morbidity, etc.)
• Understand the fundamentals of DEXA (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry), the gold standard in bone density testing
• Explain how to interpret the results
• Investigate the advantages and limitations of DEXA
• Investigate the indications and contraindications for utilization of DEXA

• This contains all courses with the educational objectives listed in Xray 119, and, Xray 123 through 127

• Use plain film to identify imaging findings of common diabetic foot fractures
• Discuss foot ulcers and using diagnostic imaging to rule out secondary osteomyelitis
• Identify diagnostic imaging findings of neuropathic osteoarthropathy (Charcot foot)

• Explain the clinical presentation, physical examination findings, orthopedic tests, laboratory findings, and radiographic findings associated with ankylosing spondylitis
• Discuss the extraskeletal manifestations of ankylosing spondylitis
• Explain the similarities and differences between the spondyloarthropathies
• Discuss the surgical and pharmacological management
• Discuss treatment that promotes spine mobility including the chiropractic adjustment

• This contains all courses with the educational objectives listed from Xray 124 through 146

• Explain the origin and pathophysiology of gout
• Understand how to prevent and monitor gout
• Examine gout on plain film
• Determine the clinical presentation of gout
• Describe the differences between the crystal arthritides on plain film

• Describe the patients that are at risk for developing osteoarthritis
• Summarize the pathophysiology behind the disease
• Discuss what osteoarthritis looks like on plain film and which joints are most likely affected
• Discuss the use of advanced imaging in osteoarthritis
• Present the research on many conservative treatment options including: physiotherapy, physical therapy/exercise, diet, and acupuncture

• Describe the anatomy of the disc and what causes the disc herniation
• Discuss the clinical presentation and who is at risk for a disc herniation
• Explain the diagnostic imaging findings for the disc herniation patient
• Evaluate the treatment options for disc herniation patients

• Assess the clinical presentation and diagnostic imaging procedure for vertebral compression fractures
• Discuss the use of plain film, CT, MRI, and DEXA
• Discuss treatments for vertebral compression fractures
• Identify other causes of vertebral fractures
• Identify other fractures besides vertebral fractures

• This contains all courses with the educational objectives listed from Xray 129 to Xray 134

• Summarize the current literature on fracture prevention
• Discuss diagnostic imaging and treatment of hip fractures
• Evaluate common lower extremity fractures, including stress fractures
• Discuss common upper extremity fractures, including the Colle's fracture and stress fractures
• Demonstrate knowledge of fractures in special populations, including adolescents and the developmentally disabled

• Evaluate the plain film images of upper and lower extremity dislocations
• Determine the mechanism of action and clinical presentation for upper and lower extremity dislocations
• Summarize the treatment options for the different upper and lower extremity dislocation
• Use assessment tools to determine treatment outcomes for extremity dislocations

• Determine the risk of MRI procedures and gadolinium contrast agents with respect to children
• Discuss the consequences of ionizing radiation in plain film, computed tomography, nuclear medicine, and fluoroscopy
• Demonstrate procedures to lessen the consequences of diagnostic imaging and discuss alternatives to the riskier modalities

• Determine the risks of ionizing radiation on the fetus
• Demonstrate the usefulness and limitations of ultrasound with regards to the pregnant woman
• Analyze the appropriate usage of magnetic resonance imaging in fetal diagnoses

• This contains all courses with the educational objectives listed from Xray 133 through Xray 144

• Demonstrating the differences between pediatric fractures and adult fractures
• Looking at the red flags for reporting non-accidental trauma (child abuse)
• Identifying fractures in children with osteopenia
• Discussing common upper extremity and lower extremity fractures
• Assessing proper protocol in imaging pediatric fractures, namely the use of plain film, ultrasound, MRI and CT

• Identifying bone and joint uses for PET
• Discussing neurological uses of PET, focusing on Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis
• Demonstrating the oncology use of PET
• Comparing PET with other diagnostic imaging modalities

• Determine the skeletal manifestations of neurofibromatosis and Paget’s disease
• Assess the diagnostic features of someone with neurofibromatosis or Paget’s disease
• Identify benign and malignant tumors commonly associated with neurofibromatosis and Paget’s disease
• Discuss the pathophysiology of neurofibromatosis and Paget’s disease

• Order proper diagnostic imaging for the lumbar spine
• Determine appropriate imaging for various pediatric musculoskeletal complaints
• Use plain film imaging for extremity complaints
• Determine what advanced imaging is appropriate for different extremity pathology

• Identify common causes of back pain
• Assess pro and con of different imaging modalities related to back pain
• Identify imaging features that may relate to back pain
• Develop imaging strategy for back pain

• Recognize normal bony and soft tissue anatomy of the upper cervical spine.
• Describe the direct and indirect signs of cervical trauma.
• Identify the more common mimics to cervical spine trauma.
• Summarize specific traumatic conditions affecting the upper cervical spine and their imaging findings.
• Assess which traumatic conditions of the upper cervical spine are stable, which are unstable, and how to manage each.

• Determine the diagnostic imaging findings consistent with a diagnosis of emphysema
• Discuss the plain film findings of congestive heart failure and conservative treatment options for these patients
• Determine the stage of sarcoidosis on plain film
• Identify the most common mediastinal masses of the chest
• Analyze different diagnostic imaging manifestations of pneumonia

• Point out the anatomy of the upper cervical spine and associated regional anatomy as seen on the APOM
• Identify variants of anatomy on APOM, noting if they are clinically relevant in providing Chiropractic care
• Differentially Diagnosis pathology noted in the region
• Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of imaging modalities for the upper cervical spine and maxillofacial region

• Recognize the signs and symptoms of patients entering the chiropractic with flu and sinusitis that may mimic musculoskeletal conditions
• Identify radiographic features of sinusitis on standard chiropractic projections and differentially diagnose from other musculoskeletal conditions
• Identify radiographic features of flu on standard chiropractic projections  and differentially diagnose from other musculoskeletal conditions
• Examine basic treatment options within chiropractic scope of practice and when to refer

• Analyze the debate between ALARA and AHARS with respect to the allowable amount of artificial radiation
• Express the cost vs. benefit of using CT, the imaging modality with the highest radiation risk
• Understand the added risk of radiation consequences in children
• Identify the different types of ionizing radiation

• Assess cervical radiographs to identify the radiographic signs of lower cervical spine trauma, recognizing which views are most diagnostic.
• Recognize, differentiate, and classify cervical hyperflexion and hyperextension injuries with respect to spinal stability.
• Identify and describe the imaging findings of neural arch trauma in the lower cervical spine.
• Discuss and categorize the complications of lower cervical spine trauma.
• Summarize the gravity as well as the evolving imaging and management protocols of penetrating neck injury.

• Identify plain film features of abdominal pathology that may present in the Chiropractic office, with an emphasis on calcifications
• Differentiate cystic from solid mass lesions
• Classify vascular calcifications
• Recognize when calcifications need immediate medical referral

• Summarize the radiographic findings of simple compression fractures and discuss how spinal biomechanics predispose to their occurrence.
• Describe the radiographic signs and sequelae of burst fractures and differentiate them from simple compression fractures.
• Identify the imaging findings of Chance type fractures and discuss their most common complications.
• Recognize the common radiographic manifestations of posterior arch trauma.
• Categorize the different types of intervertebral disc lesions and summarize their imaging findings.

• Identify imaging modalities used in sports and musculoskeletal imaging
• List indications for advanced imaging in the athlete
• Explain why imaging of the weekend “athlete” could save your practice
• Integrate imaging into treatment plans
• Assess progress of care with imaging

• Examine common orthopedic hardware on plain film and what needs to be reported
• Explain Xray findings which require Orthopedic referral and the various options
• Determine when advanced imaging is appropriate and what modality to use
• Discuss possible complications when finding orthopedic hardware

Hour 1

• Examine common orthopedic hardware on plain film and what needs to be reported
• Explain Xray findings which require Orthopedic referral and the various options
• Determine when advanced imaging is appropriate and what modality to use
• Discuss possible complications when finding orthopedic hardware

Hour 2

• Discuss congestive heart failure: diagnosis, imaging, and treatment
• Understand the imaging and treatment of multiple myeloma
• Understand the nature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, specifically emphysema
• Evaluate the use of DXA in the diagnosis of osteoporosis
• Determining appropriate care for patients with osteoarthritis

Hour 3

• Determining common geriatric conditions that need special consideration in a patient assessment
• Identifying diabetic foot complications, specifically Charcot's foot
• Analyzing bone metastasis in the elderly, specifically carcinomas
• Understanding thoracic and abdominal aorta aneurysms and aorta dissections
• Explaining pneumonia, specifically community acquired pneumonia, from a clinical perspective

Hour 4

• Determining the risk factors, diagnostic imaging and pathophysiology of atherosclerosis
• Assessing patient risk for developing hip fractures
• Understanding prevention and diagnosis of lung cancer
• Identifying normal anatomy of the disc and what goes wrong in degenerative disc disease
• Reviewing common orthopedic hardware found in elderly patients

• Discuss congestive heart failure: diagnosis, imaging, and treatment
• Understand the imaging and treatment of multiple myeloma
• Understand the nature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, specifically emphysema
• Evaluate the use of DXA in the diagnosis of osteoporosis
• Determining appropriate care for patients with osteoarthritis

• Determining common geriatric conditions that need special consideration in a patient assessment
• Identifying diabetic foot complications, specifically Charcot's foot
• Analyzing bone metastasis in the elderly, specifically carcinomas
• Understanding thoracic and abdominal aorta aneurysms and aorta dissections
• Explaining pneumonia, specifically community acquired pneumonia, from a clinical perspective

• Determining the risk factors, diagnostic imaging and pathophysiology of atherosclerosis
• Assessing patient risk for developing hip fractures
• Understanding prevention and diagnosis of lung cancer
• Identifying normal anatomy of the disc and what goes wrong in degenerative disc disease
• Reviewing common orthopedic hardware found in elderly patients

• Explaining in layman’s terms the basics of cancer
• Determining prognosis when skeletal metastasis is found on plain film
• Identifying osteolytic versus osteoblastic metastasis on plain film and specifying what advanced imaging is appropriate based on the cancer’s radiographic appearance
• Exploring current literature on emerging treatment options
• Discussing pathophysiology of bone metastasis

• This contains all courses with the educational objectives listed from Xray 154 to Anatomy 158

Hour 1

• Describing common conditions affecting the middle aged adult, including the following: osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, disc herniations, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, and abdominal aortic aneurysms
• Observing diagnostic imaging related to each of the above conditions and determining the best imaging modality to use for the various conditions
• Determining appropriate prevention and ancillary treatments for the discussed conditions

Hour 2

• Analyzing obesity through assessment and intervention
• Discussing breast cancer diagnostic imaging and disease management
• Diagnosing and treating congestive heart failure
• Evaluating diagnosis and treatment options for the osteoporosis patient

• This contains all courses with the educational objectives listed from Xray 155 through Xray 165

• Outline the utility of bone scintigraphy in the pediatric population
• Summarize basic bone physiology & radiopharmaceutical dosing
• Discuss image acquisition and analyze scans for signs of pathology
• Identify common clinical indications for pediatric bone scintigraphy
• Recognize the various imaging phases of bone scintigraphy and their clinical utility

• Review the pathophysiology of spondylolisthesis
• Evaluate the two classifications of spondylolisthesis
• Classify transitional segments
• Determine necessity and efficacy of imaging of spondylolisthesis and transitional segments

• Differential diagnosis osteopenia and its relevance towards Chiropractic practice
• Identify imaging features of osteopenia
• Recognize ominous features of osteopenia
• Select appropriate chiropractic treatments for the osteoporotic patient

• Identify the risk factors for breast cancer – preventable and non-preventable.
• Determine appropriate diagnostic imaging for screening and breast cancer assessment.
• Investigate different CAM approaches to breast cancer prevention and symptom management.

• In plain film radiographs, identify the orthopedic hardware used to treat femur, humerus, tibia, and radius fractures.
• Discuss special situations for fracture repair, such as osteoporosis, metastasis, pediatrics, and obesity.
• Review various fracture risk assessment tools that can be used in clinical practice.
• Evaluate when various hardware such as screws, nails, and plates are utilized.

• Identifying vertebral characteristic features on plain film for the following diagnoses: Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis, Neurofibromatosis-1, Multiple myeloma, Paget's disease of bone, and vertebral compression fractures.
• Determining what advanced imaging might be warranted for each of the vertebral conditions.
• Describing general features of each condition such as incidence, clinical presentation and treatment options.

• Determine the incidence and the characteristics of different spine pathology.
• Demonstrate, with plain film radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging, characteristics of central nervous system tumors and metastasis, syringomyelia, disc herniation, and trauma.
• Identify clinical features and treatment for various spine pathologies.

• Understand the general features of the inflammatory arthritides
• Discuss the clinical presentation, radiographic features, and chiropractic treatments for Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Discuss the clinical presentation, radiographic features, and chiropractic treatments for Ankylosing Spondylitis
• Compare the two most common inflammatory arthritides – Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ankylosing Spondylitis – to the other diseases in this category
• Compare the inflammatory arthritides to the most common arthritide – osteoarthritis

• Differentiate Rheumatoid Arthritis from Ankylosing Spondylitis, the two most common inflammatory arthritides.
• Differentiate Rheumatoid Arthritis from Erosive Osteoarthritis, both hand arthritides.
• Differentiate Degenerative from Inflammatory arthritis.
• Differentiate Osteoarthritis from Gout, the most common arthritide and the most common metabolic arthritide respectively.

• Learn a systematic approach to feature identification of arthritis
• Identify radiographic features of arthritis
• Develop a differential diagnosis of arthritis
• Apply knowledge to classify unknown cases

• Determine the safety of surgical clips with magnetic resonance imaging
• Examine the safety and usage of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging for patients with embedded bullets or shrapnel
• Assess the major types of hip arthroplasty and the usefulness of computed tomography and plain film x-ray
• Utilize different diagnostic imaging modalities for analysis of spinal fusion
• Identify external fixators on plain film and advanced imaging

• Assess the signs of non-accidental trauma in infants.
• Identify the unique childhood fracture known as the greenstick fracture.
• Evaluate a young adult for potential cervical spine fracture after trauma.
• Determine the work-up of a middle-aged patient with a Colles’ fracture.
• Examine the osteoporosis vertebral compression fracture, and consider diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

• Discuss the anatomy of the shoulder region
• Correlate imaging findings with physical findings
• Determine necessity and efficacy of imaging for shoulder pathologies
• Apply simple and effective treatments for shoulder pathologies

Hour one:

• Discuss overall picture of degenerative conditions of the spine
• Develop a differential diagnosis for arthritic conditions of the spine
• Discuss in detail the structural components of the disc
• Learn how the components are involved in the degenerative processes.

Hour two:

• Understand the standard nomenclature
• Classify disc lesions (herniations, etc.)
• Demonstrate types of disc lesions on imaging modalities (x-ray, MRI, CT and Myelogram).

Hour three:

• Demonstrate degenerative conditions on imaging modalities (x-ray, MRI, CT and myelogram)
• Discuss in detail degenerative conditions of the neural arch components
• Describe long term effects of degeneration (stenosis, spondylolithesis)
• Discuss marrow changes associated with degenerative conditions.

• Define QC and QA
• List parameters necessary for great x-rays
• Identify tests the doctor can do tomorrow
• Describe the QC darkroom procedures
• How to comply with state and federal regulations

• Identify common causes of non-traumatic compression fracture
• Identify some uncommon causes of non-traumatic compression fracture
• Describe types of compression fracture
• Differentiate benign and malignant compression
• Integrate radiologic findings into clinical care

• Identify imaging modalities used for head and neck imaging
• List imaging modalities available for neuro imaging
• Contrast and compare CT and MRI in brain imaging
• Indicate conditions suitable for advanced imaging
• Use advanced imaging to justify treatment and referral

• Develop and consistently use a complete search pattern for abdominal radiographs.
• Link the history and physical examination findings with the radiological abnormalities to arrive at a reasonable diagnosis or differential diagnosis.
• Identify the various soft tissue calcifications within the abdomen and state their clinical relevance.
• Know the indications for referral based on abnormal abdominal radiographic findings.
• Select appropriate imaging or other diagnostic procedures based on the history and physical examination.

Hour One:

• Identify normal/abnormal anatomical structures i.e.: osseous anatomy of the cervical spine
• Identify, analyze and interpret the importance of an increase ADI
• Identify normal/abnormal anatomical soft tissue structures (i.e.: calcifications of carotid/vertebral arteries and thyroid cartilage) of the cervical spine
• Recognize the importance of specific laboratory and diagnostic studies to aid in the differential diagnosis of common radiographic findings to rule out most often seen musculoskeletal disorders of the cervical spine

Hour Two:

• Identify normal/abnormal anatomical structures i.e.: osseous anatomy of the thoracic spine
• Identify normal/abnormal anatomical soft tissue structures (costal cartilage calcifications, trachea and bronchial air shadows, heart, diaphragm, hilar region, aortic knob etc.)
• Recognize the importance of specific diagnostic studies to aid in the differential diagnosis of common radiographic findings to rule out most often seen musculoskeletal disorders of the thoracic spine

Hour Three

• Identify normal/abnormal anatomical structures i.e.: osseous anatomy of the lumbar spine and pelvis
• Identify normal/abnormal anatomical soft tissue structures i.e.: vascular calcifications like abdominal aortic aneurysm, mesenteric lymph nodes etc
• Recognize the importance of specific laboratory and diagnostic studies to aid in the differential diagnosis of common radiographic findings to rule out most often seen musculoskeletal disorders of the lumbar, lumbosacral spine and sacroiliac joints

• Systematically identify features of degenerative conditions of the spine.
• Identify and correlate x-ray findings with gross anatomy
• Distinguish types of degenerative changes of the spine
• Review gross anatomy of the spine