Differential Diagnosis and Musculoskeletal Management of the Shoulder – Phoenix AZ – Oct 2024

22.5 Continuing Education Hours: 8 hours of online self-study + 14.5 hours of hands-on experience

Up to 34% of the general population has shoulder pain, often with recurring episodes. Persistent and recurrent pain may be related to missed causal factors or ongoing musculoskeletal dysfunction that perpetuates the problem. This course will teach you to become confident in your ability to clinically diagnose and effectively treat not only the pain generators but also the dysfunctions that perpetuate shoulder problems.

Course content provides an in-depth look at pathoanatomy of the shoulder complex – glenohumeral, sternoclavicular, acromioclavicular, and scapulothoracic – followed by precise application of the related surface anatomy. To develop the most effective plan of care, participants will analyze clinical assessment findings to identify the painful structure(s), the causal factors, and perpetuating dysfunctions in order to reach a working diagnosis. Being able to explain and educate is essential in reassuring the patient and building rapport which are essential parts of a successful outcome. 

Special topics include: identifying and matching treatment for specific pain generators involved in anterior, internal, and external impingements; differentiating shoulder instabilities with a specific plan of care considerations; how to recognize the three different kinds of frozen shoulder and optimal treatment for each; manual therapy for resolving joint and myofascial dysfunction in the shoulder region as perpetuators or causal factors of chronic upper quarter conditions. 

Method of Instruction

The online study is self-paced and available 24/7. It is segmented into lecture modules plus module assessments to gauge understanding (must meet a minimum score prior to moving to the next module). Viewing time can be started and stopped as desired. Course certificates can be printed upon completion of the course.

The LIVE portion of this course offers short lecture and extensive hands-on lab demonstrating and mentoring techniques. PowerPoint presentations are used, and participants receive a digital manual with all course materials. This experience focuses on techniques and problem-solving, as well as clinical analysis, synthesis, and application via case studies. Instructor-participant ratio is small to allow individualized mentorship. Instructors ensure participant understanding via observation and skills self-assessments.

Target Audience: PT, PTA, ATC, OT, DC

Instruction Level: Advanced

Prerequisites: Diagnosis and Management of the Shoulder, an 8-hour online lecture series – included with registration.

Outline-Hybrid Shoulder

1. Become an expert in the evaluation of glenohumeral, acromioclavicular, sternoclavicular, and scapulothoracic conditions with confidence in differentiating various musculoskeletal pathologies.
2. Effectively combine selective treatment methodologies to include manual therapy, movement strategies, and psychosocial considerations that lead to optimal and efficient patient outcomes.

1. Select appropriate evaluation and treatment techniques through knowledge of patho-anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics for the most efficacious and expedient patient care outcomes.
2. Formulate a working clinical diagnosis based on the interpretation of the clinical examination.
3. Create effective treatment plans that incorporate accurate surface anatomy and tissue physiology of the shoulder and shoulder girdle.
4. Assess the kinetic chain to determine the causal or perpetuating factors contributing to the patients’ conditions.
5. Propose clinical reasoning strategies to solve case studies with complex patients’ pathologies with dysfunctions and comorbidities
6. Generate most effective techniques that combine soft tissue and specific articulation techniques to affect total treatment of the shoulder and shoulder girdle.
7. Construct affliction-specific exercises for the shoulder and shoulder girdle, taking into consideration the psychosocial features of the patients, patients’ preferences, and the most current evidence.
8. Select the most appropriate evaluation and treatment strategies based on the chronicity and level of sensitization of the patients’ condition.

• Financial: The instructor(s) receive an honorarium for presenting this course.
• Non-financial: The instructor(s) have no relevant non-financial relationships to disclose.
• Partial credit is not available. For online courses, passing module assessments and completing the course evaluation is required to earn continuing education credit. For live courses, attendance is confirmed by signing the attendance sheet at the course; ensure name and professional license number are accurate, and initial both morning and afternoon attendance.