This is the third year that we are providing seminar/CEU credits for Flagstone and Touchstone therapists. This year, the topic is Geriatric Sports Medicine presented by Wilson Seminars. It will be held July 14 and 15 (and is already full with more than 90 participants). The later dates are September 8 and 9 on the same topic to accommodate the rest of Flagstone and Touchstone therapists. We have received overwhelming responses from our therapists, and they are hoping that Ensign Therapy will continue with the programs.
Osteoarthritis is a disease characterized by degeneration of cartilage and its underlying bone within a joint as well as bony overgrowth. The breakdown of these tissues eventually leads to pain and joint stiffness. With decreased activity, patients can expect a vicious cycle of increased pain and impaired mobility. Currently in the United States, there are more than 231,000 total hip replacements, 542,000 total knee replacements and 40,000 total shoulder replacements performed per year. Projections state this number will quadruple by 2030. Though the baby boomers are coming, joint replacement surgery is no longer reserved for patients older than 65. In fact, 35 to 45 percent of all Total Joint Arthroplasties (TJA) recipients in the United States are below age 65. The success of joint arthroplasty (and marketing) has created an improved general acceptance and expanded recreational opportunities for younger patients suffering from osteoarthritis. Rather than avoid activities and put off surgery until a later age — when there could be weight gain from inactivity and a greater risk from co-morbidities — younger patients are eager to elect surgery sooner rather than later.
The goals of joint replacement surgery are to relieve pain and to restore function and mobility. Physical and occupational therapists and assistants are the best trained and arguably in a good position to excel with the pre-and post-surgical treatment needs of this medical population. Wilson’s basic- to intermediate-level course combines lecture and extensive lab time designed for participants to practice motor skills covered in lecture that will immediately enhance a clinician’s ability to treat this population. This two-day course will investigate the total shoulder, reverse total shoulder, total hip, hip and knee fractures (S/P ORIF) and total knee replacement rehabilitation of patients. We will look at orthopedic hardware and healing principles, basic joint mobilization of the shoulder, hip and knee, therapeutic exercises and activities. An evidence-based medicine approach will be followed in regard to: 1) what surgical approaches are best and 2) what rehabilitation protocols are best.
Participants will leave this course with a safe, progressive, evidence-based approach of manual therapy dosed with individually prescribed, proprioceptively enriched, therapeutic exercises to allow for optimum therapy outcomes regardless of therapy background.