This intermediate to advanced level course focuses on the management of the wrist, carpals and the elbow joint.  This lecture and lab course are designed to enhance the understanding of the complexity of the wrist and elbow, hands-on-assessment, focusing on differential diagnoses and management of various fractures and dislocations of these joints. 

The purpose of this course is to enhance theoretical and practical knowledge to be better able to problem solve and design treatment programs for a variety of wrist and elbow conditions.

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of course, therapist will:

• recognize the mechanism of elbow, forearm, wrist and carpal motion
• learn sequential pattern of examining the wrist and elbow
• develop a treatment plan based on physiological, biological and biomechanical principles for both these joints
• list how trauma affects wrist and carpal kinematics and stiffness of the elbow joint  
• learn different methods for the management of the carpus, distal radius, and elbow complex

This course features an in-depth presentation of:

• anatomy and kinematics of the wrist, and forearm
• evaluation of the wrist – with hands-on lab
• carpal dislocations and instabilities
• common surgical procedures of the wrist
• anatomy and biomechanics of the elbow
• evaluation of the elbow
• distal humeral fractures
• olecranon and radial head fractures
• dislocations of the elbow
• carpal fractures  
• compressive neuropathies of the elbow

Video clips of elbow biomechanics, surgery, cadaver dissections, wrist fluoroscopy videos are presented throughout the course to demonstrate clinical reasoning and understanding of this complex joint. Several research ideas will be generated during the course to stimulate evidence-based practice.