Intro to Pediatric Orthopedics and Treatment of Upper Extremity Injuries in the Young Athlete

This class will begin with an overview of the young athlete to include; a review of normal musculoskeletal growth and development with a focus on the growth plate, early sports specialization, childhood obesity, and the psychological stages of development related to treatment of young athletes. The class will also cover common orthopedic injuries of the upper extremity and their diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis with special attention to exam techniques and therapeutic exercises suitable for the home health setting as well as the clinical setting.

Following this course, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the pros and cons of sports participation in the pediatric population as it relates to stages of growth and development.
2. List the 5 types of Salter Harris Fractures in children and their relation to treatment of fractures in this population.
3. Describe key steps in the examination and treatment of common upper extremity injuries in the young athlete.
4. Describe exercise progression and loading principles as well as practice strategies for loading in the rehab of upper extremity injuries in the young athlete.