Educational Overview

Course Description

This dynamic, interdisciplinary program is designed to equip physical and occupational therapy professionals, athletic trainers, nurses, and primary care physicians with the latest evidence-based strategies in orthopaedic and musculoskeletal care. The course offers a deep dive into collaborative approaches for cervical and lumbar spine rehabilitation, including chiropractic, dry needling, and advanced physical therapy techniques. Attendees will explore surgical and nonsurgical management of complex lower extremity conditions and learn about innovative outpatient joint replacement models with both medical and economic insights. Additional sessions highlight non-opioid pain management solutions, geriatric fall prevention through core and hip stability, and the emerging application of ultra-low dose radiotherapy for musculoskeletal disorders. The curriculum supports improved interdisciplinary care and optimal patient outcomes through case-based learning and expert-led discussion panels.

Educational Objectives

1. Describe chiropractic strategies to cervical spine rehabilitation.
2. Identify and discuss indications for dry needling for cervical spine maladies.
3. Discuss the standard and innovative physical therapy approaches to cervical spine pathology.
4. Identify challenging lumber spine problems amenable to minimally invasive surgery.
5. Describe the medical benefits to patients of outpatient joint replacement surgery.
6. Discuss the economic benefits of outpatient joint replacements.
7. To Identify and discuss the proper management of neglected hindfoot and midfoot fractures.
8. Describe the indications, mechanisms and risk factors with ultra-low dose radiotherapy.
9. Discuss various case presentations of ultra-low dose radiotherapy for musculoskeletal conditions.
10. Describe and discuss the efficacy of non-opioid pain control regimens in orthopaedics.
11. Identify and discuss practical strategies for fall prevention.
12. Describe and identify wrist and shoulder fracture surgical approaches.
13. Discuss and describe hip fracture surgical fixation vs. replacement.
14. Describe post-surgical rehabilitation strategies after hip fracture surgery.

The material covered by the 2025 21 st Annual Orthopaedic Update Conference includes domains 1, 2, and 4 of the BOC Role Delineation/Practice Analysis, 7th edition (Injury and Illness Prevention and Wellness Promotion, Examination, Assessment and Diagnosis and Therapeutic Intervention). In addition, the new BOC Orthopaedic Specialty domains Medical Knowledge and Procedural Knowledge. According to the education levels described by the Professional Development Committee of the NATA, the following continuing education course is considered to be Essential and/or Advanced Level to offer continuing education for Certified Athletic Trainers, Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants.