Shoulder Rehabilitation: What's new from a scientific and clinical point of view?

Level II

Für diesen Kurs ist es nicht notwendig den Basiskurs - Level I zu absolvieren. Es werden andere Themenschwerpunkte diskutiert.

In the area of shoulder rehabilitation, scientific knowledge and insights in the clinical application of research data have been evolving the past few years in an enormous extent.

The purpose of this shoulder rehabilitation course is to provide additional theoretical insights, clinical reasoning processes and practical skills in the rehabilitation of the shoulder, bringing an update as well as an extension of the existing knowledge, covered in the level 1 course. In particular the aims are twofold: first goal is to discuss and practice into detail the role of the scapula in shoulder pain assessment and rehabilitation. Additionally, some specific pathologies are discussed. Objective measurements of shoulder variables and functional tests are introduced, with a link to return to activity/sports criteria after injury.

Content:

This advanced course is science based, but also offers multiple hands-on opportunities, with a thorough clinical examination as a basis for therapeutic decision making processes. This course is a level 2 course, expanding knowledge and skills within the area of shoulder rehabilitation beyond the topics covered in the level 1 course. Completion of the first course is advisable but not required. Both courses may be followed separately.

This 2-day course consists of theoretical background sessions (30%), critical interactive discussions (20%) and practical sessions (50%). The target public is physiotherapists with a special interest for shoulder rehabilitation. Novice as well as experienced physiotherapists have the opportunity to update their knowledge and skills. General insights in shoulder anatomy, biomechanics, including pathomechanical injury mechanisms, are assumed to be acquired. Completion of course 1 is not obligatory.

Goals:

After completion of this course, the participant will have reached the following competences:

• The participant has updated insights in the advanced biomechanics of the scapulothoracic function, pathomechanics of rotator cuff tears, and atraumatic instability (upgrade of content of course level 1)
• The participant can apply clinical reasoning principles and perform specific analytical measurements (ROM, isometric strength, pectoralis minor length, scapular position) as an add-on to clinical examination of the shoulder girdle
• The participant is able to use the scientific background for the decision-based return to play approach, using reference values and reliable and valid RTP-tests.
• The participant can apply clinical reasoning principles and algorithms for the treatment of scapular dysfunction, biceps related disorders, and the conservative approach of degenerative rotator cuff tears (upgrade of content level 1)
• The participant can conceptualize, organize, perform, critically reflect, and remediate a progressive treatment program for the patient with shoulder pain
• The participant performs all skills and exercises, comprised in the course, during the practical sessions of the course
• The participant can critically discuss examination and treatment principles with the course teacher and his peers during the interactive sessions.
• The participant can integrate recent scientific knowledge (provided by scientific papers) into the clinical reasoning process of shoulder examination and rehabilitation.

Methods:

• Theoretical background sessions
• Critical interactive discussions
• Practical sessions

Attention & Preparation: Teaching language will be English.

• The participant has to update his knowledge on basic anatomy and kinesiology of the shoulder girdle, and on the kinematics of the throwing shoulder (phases of throwing, joint positions and possible threats to injury, muscle activity patterns). Additionally, the participant needs to have basic knowledge on the most common shoulder disorders, namely rotator cuff tendinopathy, degenerative tears, instability, biceps pathology, SLAP lesions, frozen shoulder, scapular disorders.
• It is advised that the forwarded literature (scientific papers) is read prior to the start of the course. The papers will be used during the course in a clinically relevant application, while critically interpreted.
• The participant should critically reflect on the following question: “How do I use scientific papers in the clinical practice?”