Concussion: Effective Management

4/5/2019 8:30 AM - 4/6/2019 1:15 PM

Presenter: Susan L. Whitney, DPT, PhD, ATC, FAPTA and Paul Vidal, DPT, MHSc, OCS, FAAOMPT

Concussion is a high priority public health initiative, due to high prevalence and potentially serious long-term consequences that may arise from incomplete recovery and improper management. Concussion often results in a multitude of symptoms. Approximately 20% of patients with concussion may not experience a quick recovery, resulting in significant disruption to the performance of work, school and life roles. This course will review the current information with respect to pathophysiology, epidemiology and biomechanics of concussion, along with pertinent information regarding diagnosis and negative outcome following this injury. A proposed framework for classification following concussion will also be reviewed, along with screening techniques and potential management strategies to influence the course of recovery following concussion.  

Objectives:

At the conclusion of this course, participants should be able to:

1.   Describe the pathophysiology, biomechanics and epidemiology of concussion.

2.   Describe key risk factors associated with poorer outcome after a concussion.

       3.   Describe common clinical subtypes following concussion. 

 

About the Speakers

Susan L. Whitney, DPT, PhD, ATC, FAPTA

Susan L. Whitney, DPT, PhD, ATC, FAPTA neurologic clinical specialist received her PhD in motor development/motor learning from the University of Pittsburgh and her professional physical therapy education from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA.  She is a professor in physical therapy in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences and in the department of otolaryngology in the School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh.  Dr. Whitney has authored or coauthored over 125 articles on Medline, plus has written over 30 book chapters related to dizziness and/or balance disorders.  She is presently funded by 3 grants from the Department of Defense to study persons with concussion.

 

Paul Vidal, DPT, MHSc, OCS, FAAOMPT

Paul Vidal, DPT, MHSc, OCS, FAAOMPT is the owner of Specialized Physical Therapy, LLC. He is a graduate of the University of Sciences in Philadelphia and the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences, where he earned his doctorate in physical therapy. Dr. Vidal is a board certified orthopaedic clinical specialist through the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties and is a Fellow in the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists. He earned his Herdman certificate of achievement in vestibular rehabilitation through Emory University School of Medicine.  Dr. Vidal has published several peer-review articles and abstracts on the topic of dizziness and concussion.  He is currently the President of the American Physical Therapy Association of New Jersey.  

Don’t Be Thrown for a Curve: Assessing the Throwing Athlete in Physical Therapy

4/6/2019 8:30 AM - 1:15 PM

Presenter: Barbara Kutch, PT, DPT, CSCS

This course will present the intricate movements of the throwing athlete. A review of the anatomy and function of the shoulder girdle with be discussed. These elements will then be connected into a discussion on the kinetic chain incorporating a complete body perspective. General throwing mechanics, phases, and common flaws will also be presented. Included in the information on assessment will be completing a patient history specific to the athlete. Further education on the assessment will include the objective measures specialized to the throwing patient. Both the Functional Movement Screen and the Selective Functional Movement Assessment will be introduced. A case report will also be presented to allow the attendee to make the connection from assessment to plan of care. 

 

About the Speaker

Barbara Kutch, PT, DPT, CSCS

Barb has been a physical therapist since graduating from Stockton University in 2010 with her Doctor of Physical Therapy.  A former college softball player and coach, Barb has been obsessed with throwing mechanics since high school.  She has translated this passion into the clinic, learning and practicing the newest research with patients.  In addition to being a Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach, she has been Titleist Performance Institute Medical level 3 certified since 2017 and recently became a Certified Running Gait Analyst through the Association of Clinical Excellence.  At Penn Medicine Princeton Health, she has developed a physical therapy program specific to golfers. In the clinic she works with athletes and patients of all ages with orthopedic conditions.  Outside of work, Barb is a baseball and softball instructor.

School PT – Transitioning from Pre-school to Adulthood

4/6/2019 8:30 AM - 1:15 PM

Presenter: Rosemary Peng, PT, MSPT

This seminar will cover issues related to providing Physical Therapy in a school setting, from pre-school age to young adulthood. The main goal of this seminar is to provide an understanding and appreciation of how physical therapy changes as the student progresses from pre-school to graduation. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act will be reviewed in order to explain how PT is used as a related service to assist the student in the educational process. A description of the different physical function needs at various ages will be described to help understand why physical therapy practice needs to change over time. In addition, a discussion of how the language we use in our documentation impacts how we set our goals and plan our treatments. Evaluation measurements and tools will be identified which can be easily used in a school setting and norms that are available will be provided. Goal writing will be examined using principles recommended by the Academy of Pediatric PT and practiced in groups. In addition, treatment interventions and options will be described and discussed.

 

About the Speaker

Rosemary Peng, PT, MSPT

Rosemary Peng, PT, MSPT, is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University with a BS in Biology and Arcadia University with an MSPT.  She is a Clinical Specialist at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation’s Chester outpatient campus. She is also an adjunct instructor at Rutgers University School of Health-Related Professions, Department of Physical Therapy, Newark campus. In addition, she is a consultant for early intervention in New Jersey for Sunny Days, Inc. and a contract therapist for agencies providing physical therapy in school settings. She has had over 14 years of experience as a school physical therapist working in a variety of public and non-public schools. Practicing for over 30 years, Rose brings a wide range of experience and clinical expertise to her specialty areas of pediatrics and neurology. She has presented for APTANJ in the past, including a case study on the use of constraint-induced therapy for a child with hemiplegia and a seminar on evidenced-based treatment of congenital muscular torticollis. Rose has presented a poster at APTA Combined Sections Meeting on a novel stroke treatment and has co-written articles on vestibular, stroke, and therapeutic exercise topics.