Primary care, urgent care, and emergency room physicians, as well as other healthcare providers, are often on the front line in the initial care and management of orthopaedic problems. This course will enhance the participants’ knowledge base regarding common orthopaedic problems and increase their confidence in managing these issues. This 27th annual course will provide a complete review of basic principles of orthopaedic care. Particular attention will be paid to the diagnosis and initial management of the orthopaedic problems most commonly seen by the primary care giver. Formal question and answer periods paneled by the faculty will follow each session. We will feature daily “Spotlight Lectures” on hot topics related to orthopaedic issues and updates.

Target Audience
This activity is designed for primary care and family physicians, nurse practitioners, physical therapists, occupational therapists, athletic trainers, and other healthcare professionals dedicated to the diagnosis and management of common orthopaedic injuries and illnesses.

Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of this activity, participants will be able to:

General Sessions

• Describe how to diagnose common problems in the following orthopaedic areas: trauma, spine, foot and ankle, pediatrics, sports medicine, upper extremity, and adult hip and knee;
• Distinguish patients who should generally be referred to an orthopaedist from those best treated by a primary caregiver;
• Outline how to initiate non-operative management of common orthopaedic conditions;
• Name key elements of the orthopaedic physical examination and how to employ them;
• Select the optimal imaging modalities for common orthopaedic problems;
• Analyze how a team approach to interdisciplinary care of orthopaedic problems can improve patient care.

Demonstration Workshops

• Employ the physical exams of the hand, wrist, shoulder, spine, hip, knee, ankle, and foot to help determine the next steps in a patient’s course of treatment;
• Identify techniques to properly administer musculoskeletal injections;
• Interpret orthopaedic x-rays and MRIs to diagnose patient issues;
• Demonstrate how to splint and immobilize the upper and lower extremities;
• Discuss how to overcome acute care challenges surrounding orthopaedic patients’ post-surgical care.

Accreditation