Fundamentals of Musculoskeletal Evaluation

Catalog description

This will be the first in a series of evaluation-based courses for the Master of Athletic Training degree program, and will cover key concepts of the evaluative process. Material covered in this course will be reinforced in more detail throughout the curricular progression. Content will focus on the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) as a basis for delivery, and communication of patient care. This will be the framework for integrating evaluation findings, and developing a plan of care including referral to the appropriate provider when indicated. This course will establish ethical standards of the profession that are congruent with clinical practice, which will be consistent throughout the curriculum. While the course will center on developing foundational musculoskeletal evaluation techniques, emphasis will also be placed on the management of patients with acute conditions that are life threatening or otherwise emergent. Students will learn to perform an evaluation that formulates a diagnosis, and plan of care for patients with health conditions commonly seen in athletic training practice. This evaluation includes the following: obtaining a medical history from the patient or other individual; identifying comorbidities and patients with complex medical conditions; selecting an appropriate outcomes measurement tool; observing function (including gait, posture and tissue appearance); performing strength and range of motion testing for the upper and lower quarters and the spine, and being able to select appropriate tests for individual scenarios; determining end-feel, and somatic responses associated with special tests that selectively examine the integrity of capsuloligamentous, and musculotendinous structures; performing a neurologic screening exam including dermatomes, myotomes, deep tendon reflexes and cranial nerve testing; understanding contemporary pain theory and how to assess pain in a patient scenario; analyzing functional tasks specific to the individual, sport/activity and body part or injury. This course will also include an overview of the tissue healing cascade following injury as well as inflammatory response, swelling and dysfunction in the context of the ICF model.