Full Course Description

Guide to Differential Diagnosis

Learn the who, what, where, when and why of differential diagnosis. Direct access to wellness care is becoming more prevalent. This requires the provider to have a clear sense of signs and symptoms that suggest more serious medical problems that require further evaluation by a primary care provider. Additionally, learn what symptoms require immediate emergency medical care vs less urgent presentations. Also, learn to recognize presentations of pain and dysfunction that ultimately do not fit the typical presentation of musculoskeletal origin and may be indicative of a more serious underlying medical condition. Recognition of atypical presentations or responses is essential to know when a patient should be referred for further medical evaluation. This course will present these topics in detail for improved safety of patient care and confidence to recognize more serious underlying pathology.

Program Information

Objectives

Apply knowledge of differential diagnosis proficiently in clinical practice.
Demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving for complex musculoskeletal diagnoses
Utilize knowledge of systemic differential diagnosis to identify red flags of underlying serious medical conditions.
Demonstrate clear guidelines for presentations requiring physician referral.

Outline

Identify importance of screening

Direct Access
Early detection of conditions that mimic NMS conditions
Medication side effects
Disease prevention

Differential diagnosis vs Screening

Differential diagnosis follows examination and evaluation
Screening begins when the diagnosis fails to reveal an identifiable movement dysfunction

Indications of immediate medical care

Signs and symptoms to identify indications for emergency medical care/evaluation

Guidelines for physician referral

Unknown cause of symptoms
Lacking objective signs/symptoms of NMS dysfunction or origin
Atypical or lack of expected response to interventions
Changes in health status that persist beyond expected period
Presentations unique to women
Vital sign abnormalities
Red flags for cancer
Cardiac and pulmonary abnormalities
Precautions and contraindications to treatment

Pain assessment

Sources of pain
- Cutaneous, somatic, visceral, neuropathic, referred
Associated signs/symptoms of systemic vs musculoskeletal pain
Pain types
- Tension, inflammatory, ischemic, myofascial, joint, radicular, neuropathic
Pain referral patterns
- Somatic, visceral, neuropathic

Target Audience

Physical Therapists
Physical Therapy Assistants
Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Athletic Trainers
Strength and Conditioning Specialists
Exercise Physiologists

Copyright : 04/29/2021

Differential Diagnosis of the Cervical Spine and Shoulder: Comprehensive Evaluation Principles

Getting the diagnosis right the first time is critical, and as the first point of contact for evaluating the injury, it can be stressful. Not every diagnosis is straight forward. With subtle clues often lurking in the periphery, you need a comprehensive evaluation strategy that eliminates the guess work.

Rina Pandya, PT, DPT is bringing decades of clinical experience to present a practical approach to differential diagnosis for the upper extremity and cervical spine. You’ll learn the tried and true methods for quickly narrowing in on the most probable cause. With implications across the age spectrum for all the patients you may face, you’ll discover:

Strategies that address poor posture and rapidly improve symptoms
Quickly narrow in on shoulder impingement vs AC joint dysfunction
A framework for understanding how various chronic conditions may impact your findings
A concise guide to physician referral for suspicion of systemic disease involvement

This course will provide extensive evaluation skills for comprehensive and efficient review of systems. Confidently identify signs and symptoms of systemic disease at the start of care – save time and resources for your patients! This is a must attend course for therapists providing direct access care.

Program Information

Objectives

Apply knowledge of evaluation strategies for cervical spine and shoulder clinically for identification of musculoskeletal injuries.
Determine red and yellow flags requiring referral to a physician.
Differentiate between systemic or musculoskeletal diagnoses for indications when to refer to emergency services.
Demonstrate skilled patient interviewing techniques with system review questions.
Apply knowledge of differential diagnosis proficiently in clinical practice.
Demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving for complex musculoskeletal diagnoses.

Outline

Expand Your Evaluation Skills

Common special tests of the shoulder and cervical spine
- Impingement syndrome test
- Drop arm test
- Apprehension test
- O’Briens test
- Thoracic outlet syndrome test
- And more!
Questionnaires for subjective assessment
Identify referred pain patterns from non-MSK origin
Understanding Non-MSK Causes and Customized Approaches for Each
- Pulmonary
- Post-laparoscopic pain
- UE DVT
- GI
- Vascular
- Liver and biliary
- Oncologic
- Gynecologic

Is Your Patient Appropriate for Therapy?

Recognizing red (and yellow) flags of lower quadrant pain
Concise guide for physician or ER referral

Pain and Most Common MSK Diagnoses by Region

Shoulder
- Adhesive capsulitis
- Subacromial bursitis
- Dislocation of the shoulder
- Rotator cuff tendonitis
- Labral injuries
Cervical Spine
- Whiplash
- Spondylosis
- Cervical radiculopathy
- Cervical myelopathy
- Headaches
- OA C-spine
- Dizziness

Evidence-Based Approach to Treating Pain, Stiffness and ROM Restrictions

Non-surgical techniques to manage pain
Strategies to improve poor posture in the age of devices

Target Audience

Physical Therapists
Physical Therapy Assistants
Chiropractors
Athletic Trainers
Strength and Conditioning Specialists
Exercise Physiologists
Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Other healthcare and rehabilitation specialists