Maryland Physical Therapy Assistant Continuing Education

• Define and explore Ankylosing Spondylitis
• Enumerate and differentiate 3 symptoms
• Describe 5 therapy examination tools
• Examine and summarize 3 surgical options
• Outline and examine therapy treatment interventions

• Define edema 
• List 3 key features of different types of edema 
• Differentiate between different types of edema 
• Examine and explain how to identify different types of edema 
• Describe three treatment approaches for various types of edema

• Identify the goal of professional ethics activity.
• Describe the basic idea of a caring response and some ways this response in a professional relationship is distinguished from expressions of care in other types of relationships.
• Identify three component parts of any ethical problem.
• Describe what an agent is and, more importantly, what it is to be a moral agent.
• Name the three prototypical ethical problems.
• Describe the role of emotions in ethical distress.
• Distinguish between two varieties of ethical distress.
• Compare the fundamental difference between ethical distress and an ethical dilemma.
• Define ethical paternalism or parentalism.
• Describe a type of ethical dilemma that challenges a professionals desire (and duty) to treat everyone fairly and equitably.
• Identify the fundamental difference between distress or dilemma problems and locus of authority problems.
• Identify four criteria that will assist you in deciding who should assume authority for a specific ethical decision to achieve a caring response.
• Become familiar with AOTA and APTA Code of Ethics
• Become familiar with the Guide to Professional Conduct for PT
• Indiana PTs - become familiar with the IN PT Rules and Practice Act
• Texas PTs - become familiar with the TX PT Rules and Practice Act
• Utah PTs - become familiar with the UT PT Rules and Practice Act

• Define plantar fasciitis
• List 3 differential diagnosis
• Enumerate 3 or more signs and symptoms
• Describe 2 main components of a foot examination
• Examine and summarize 3 surgical options
• Outline and describe rehabilitation protocols for plantar fasciitis

• Define and differentiate static vs dynamic balance
• Outline and describe the role of balance in ADL’s
• Define and differentiate intrinsic vs. extrinsic risk factors for falls and provide 3 examples of each
• List and describe 3 different evidence-based fall prevention programs recommended for patients, including; AMOB, Tai Ji Juan, Otago
• Describe the role of clinicians in fall prevention strategies

Hour 1 - 2

• Understand, identify and describe the significance of the lateral epicondyle and the common extensor tendon
• Explain 3 causative factors that may lead to developing LE
• Identify the main movements or activities that put someone at risk for LE
• Describe the pathophysiology involved in LE
• Describe 5 conservative treatment interventions for LE
• Outline and describe post-operative rehab protocols following surgery and list 3 possible complications
• Discuss what prolotherapy is, what it does, how it works and what the research says
• State 2 indications for surgical intervention
• Outline the basic principles of surgery and list 3 operative techniques
• Discuss research findings and the efficacy of elbow surgery and the efficacy of treatment techniques

Hour 3

• Describe the 3 joints that make up the elbow and explain static and dynamic forces that stabilize the elbow
• Define the boundaries of the cubital tunnel and explain the route of the ulnar nerve as it travels around the elbow
• List and describe the phases involved in throwing and how this activity places stress on the medial aspect of the elbow
• List and describe 5 conditions that produce medial-sided elbow pain including presenting signs and symptoms and how each condition is diagnosed
• Consider differential diagnosis and list 2 conditions that result in anterior, posterior and lateral elbow pain

• Define lymphedema 
• Summarize the 4 components of complete decongestive therapy (CDT) 
• Recite 3 indications for CDT 
• Recall 3 contraindications for CDT 
• Explain the course of treatment for lymphedema with CDT

• Identify and describe the phases of bone healing
• List and describe 3 objectives that serve as the foundation of fracture management and bone healing
• Define and differentiate osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and osteocytes
• Define and discuss Wolff’s law
• Discuss 3 principles of stress deprivation, immobilization, and normal physiologic stress as they apply to fracture healing
• Identify 3 complications of bone healing
• Outline and describe 6 areas of descriptive organization of classifying fractures
• Describe pathologic fractures and list 4 types
• Discuss 2 ways how osteoporosis affects fractures
• List 2 common methods of fracture fixation, fixation devices, and fracture classifications

• Compare how pharmacokinetics, clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics work on the body 
• Categorize medications based of drug classes and mechanisms of actions, indications, adverse effects, and monitoring parameters as it relates to adults and elderly 
• Recognize how to properly use, administer, and dispose of medications

Introduction to Electrical Currents

• Define and describe 3 electrical current parameters including waveforms, time-dependent and other electrical current parameters
• Describe 3 positive effects of electrical currents
• List 3 contraindications and precautions for the use of electrical currents
• Outline the steps for application including patient positioning, electrode type and placement and list 3 general considerations

Electrical Currents for Muscle Contraction

• Describe the physiology involved in muscle contraction in the innervated muscle
• Describe clinical application for orthopedic, neurologic and sports medicine
• Describe muscle contraction for denervated muscle
• List 5 precautions and contraindications
• Outline parameters including, but not limited to, electrode placement, positioning, frequency and amplitude for the use of electrical stimulation for innervated muscles

(This content is NOT included in the Therapeutic Modalities 101 course)

• Understand electrical principles so that you can predict the amount and location of current flow in human tissues including muscles. 
• Decide whether an individual is appropriate for EStim given relevant contraindications, precautions, and associated risks.
• Link electrode placement and electrical waveform selection. 
• Chose common electrical stimulus parameters based on the desired outcome and individual patient needs. 
• Describe application techniques that are safe, comfortable, and effective manner. 
• Identify resources for continue learning and application of knowledge

• Briefly outline the 8 limbs of Ashtanga Yoga 
• Enumerate classification of asanas 
• List 5 benefits of asanas or yogic postures 
• Understand the application of asanas with therapy 
• List 5 Asanas for low back pain 
• List 3 Asanas for hip stretches 
• Name 5 poses/ asanas for upper extremity strengthening 
• Recite contraindications for all poses

• List 5 benefit of Yoga Asana
• Understand the application of Yogic Asanas or Postures with Rehab
• State 5 Asanas to improve shoulder flexibility
• Propose poses for progressing with scapular stabilization
• Be able to differentiate between use of static and dynamic poses
• Recognize ways to modify poses when painful
• Create HEP with Yogic Postures
• Be familiar with correct alignment during poses
• Summarize ways to prevent injuries with yoga asanas

• Justify the use of  Yoga poses with rehabilitation 
• Name 3 poses for each stage of rehabilitation 
• List 5 poses helpful for balance 
• Describe how to implement yoga with patients and establish a POC 
• Perform a biomechanical analysis with poses 
• Recognize and list Do’s and Don'ts with  poses 
• Describe 5 ways to avoid injuries with poses