Utilizing Clinical Reasoning and Manual Therapy in the Management of the Elbow, Wrist and Hand

Course Description:

Patients with a primary report of elbow, wrist or hand pain provide clinicians with several challenges in attempting to identify the nature of the patient’s symptoms and determine an appropriate course of treatment. This hands-on course will integrate current evidence of the physical therapy clinical examination and interventions for the elbow, wrist and hand. It will provide extensive laboratory sessions intended to develop the clinician’s skills in performing clinical tests, manual therapy skills, and prescription of appropriate therapeutic exercise. Patient education tools will be presented to facilitate symptom management and enhance treatment outcomes in a physical therapy clinical environment.

Course Objectives:

• Critically evaluate the science of the examination of the elbow, wrist and hand region in order to identify impairments that may be addressed through conservative care.
• Develop appropriate intervention strategies for patients with elbow, wrist and hand including a multimodal approach of both manual therapy and therapeutic exercise.
• Demonstrate psychomotor competency of performing different clinical tests and manual therapy techniques of the elbow, wrist and hand to enhance outcomes.
• Integrate effective therapeutic exercises in the intervention of individuals with elbow, wrist and hand dysfunction.

Schedule:

SUNDAY (4 hours)

1:00 – 1:05 pm Welcome and Introductions

1:05 – 1:30 pm Lecture- Evidence review of evaluation of the elbow, wrist and hand

 - Identifying pattern recognition for elbow, wrist and hand pain

 - Clinical decision-making process to enhance examination

1:30 – 3:00 pm LAB – Manual therapy techniques and therapeutic exercise for the elbow

3:00 – 4:30 pm LAB – Manual therapy techniques and therapeutic exercise for the wrist/hand

4:30 – 5:00 pm Review and wrap up and course evaluations

Course Instructor Background:

Dr. Paul Reuteman PT, DPT, MHS, OCS, ATC is a Clinical Professor in the Program of Physical Therapy at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse. His primary teaching responsibilities include musculoskeletal examination and intervention principles, clinical-decision making and clinical radiology. He maintains an active clinical practice affiliated with Riverside Corporate Wellness in La Crosse. Dr. Reuteman is the co-founder of Specialized Physical Therapy Education and is the Program Director and Instructor of their Orthopedic Residency Program. He also serves as faculty of Gundersen Healthcare Sports Physical Therapy Residency Program in Onalaska, WI. His credentials include being a board-certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist from the ABPTS, is credentialed through the McKenzie Institute and is a board certified Athletic Trainer from the NATA. Dr. Reuteman recently received the College of Health Sciences Professional Achievement Award from Marquette University and is a two-time

recipient of the Sports Medicine Teacher of the Year by the Gundersen Medical Foundation.