Residency Curriculum Course: Screening for Orthopaedics

This course discusses the principles of differential screening and the important role physical therapists play in primary care. The authors apply a systematic data collection process to screening using the VINDICATE methodology for organizing a structured examination. This approach is used for the upper and lower extremities in separate monographs. A total of 9 patient case scenarios help apply concepts for the reader and highlight critical decision-making.

1. Discuss the significance of direct access legislation and how this influences differential diagnosis content and understanding.
2. Identify the important factors to screen for in a review of systems.
3. Discuss the pros and cons of using red flags for identifying systemic conditions. .
4. Explain the use of VINDICATE to facilitate a thorough history-taking during a patient examination.
5. Differentiate between the signs and symptoms underlying systemic causes of shoulder dysfunction and orthopaedic causes.
6. Differentiate between the signs and symptoms underlying systemic causes of elbow, forearm, and wrist dysfunction and orthopaedic causes.
7. Differentiate between the signs and symptoms underlying systemic causes of hip dysfunction and orthopaedic causes.
8. Differentiate between the signs and symptoms underlying systemic causes of knee, ankle, and foot dysfunction and orthopaedic causes.
9. Recognize clinical patterns associated with orthopaedic conditions in the upper and lower extremity and when to refer to another health care professional.
10. Recognize the usefulness of the mnemonic VINDICATE and how this applies to screening of the upper extremity and lower extremity.

• Principles of Differential Screening
  John Heick, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS, NCS, SCS; Seth Peterson, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT; Tarang Jain, PT, DPT, PhD
• Screening the Upper Extremity
  John Heick, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS, NCS, SCS; Seth Peterson, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT; Tarang Jain, PT, DPT, PhD
• Screening the Lower Extremity
  John Heick, PT, DPT, PhD, OCS, NCS, SCS; Seth Peterson, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT; Tarang Jain, PT, DPT, PhD