Certificate Course in Clinical Orthopedics from Terry Rzepkowski

Modules 1–3:

Assessment of the Orthopedic joint patient

• Application of orthopedic special tests and their findings
• Correlation of special test findings with diagnostic imaging results
• Rehabilitation options with consideration of conservative therapies, function and pain level, surgical options, physical co-morbidities, and relative bone density

Video presentations of surgical procedures

• Shoulder arthroscopic procedures: SAD, RTC repair, SLAP and Bankart repair
• Total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) & reverse TSA
• Radiograph assisted Total Elbow Arthroplasty
• Practice in donning and doffing of UE immobilizers

Modules 4–6:

Actual patient video presentations of surgical procedures

• Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA), conventional posterior and lateral approaches
• Knee Arthroscopic procedures: Partial meniscectomy, meniscal repair, bio ingrowth cartilage
• Total Knee replacement (TKA) conventional and sub vastus, uni & bi compartment
• The future of joint replacement with custom implants, computerized and robotic assisted hip, knee and ankle replacement

Acute post-op recovery

• Discharge planning: Guidelines for Total joints
• Acute Rehab / Skilled Nursing / Home which is the right choice in terms of accessibility, assistance, activity restrictions, and length of time
• Pain management, opioid tolerance and opioid induced constipation (OIC)
• Use of cold recirculator units and cold compression devices
• Active and passive TED strategies
• Wound Care / Infection Prevention
• Demonstration of PICO dressing and point of care PT/INR
• Selection and adjustment of assistive devices with instruction in proper usage for support

Modules 7–9:

Treatment sessions for the acute through the subacute phase of recovery

• Shoulder: Active proximal scapular exercise and cervical stretching techniques with permissible distal UE
• Hip: Immediate post-op exercises and progressions for the conventional and anterior approach, including transfer considerations
• Knee: Immediate post-op exercises and progressions for the conventional and subvastus approach, including forms of stretching

Strategies of optimal function for out-patient and beyond

• Shoulder: Manual techniques to build proximal scapular stabilization and progression to rotator cuff strengthening
• Hip: Progression of core pelvic strengthening, proximal trunk stability, proprioceptive, balance, coordination activities, return of normal gait mechanics
• Knee: Progression of flexibility exercises, patellar mobilization, demonstration of patella femoral taping, the importance of proper footwear, proprioceptive, balance, coordination activities, return of normal gait mechanics