Understanding, Evaluating, and Treating Distal Radius Fractures
Description
This course, written by a Certified Hand Therapist, guides rehab providers in how to evaluate and treat patients recovering from a distal radius fracture. The course reviews wrist and forearm anatomy, covers risk factors and basic pathophysiology of these fractures, and discusses the types of fractures and some of the most commonly occurring complications. The course examines conservative treatment, surgical intervention, and the types of surgery most often performed. Throughout the course, Clinical Tips provide information to help clinicians focus on successful intervention. The section on post-fracture care discusses a thorough evaluation of patients with distal radius fractures and presents a variety of successful treatment approaches. The course is designed to help rehab professionals achieve the best possible functional outcomes with their patients.
Physicourses is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. Course approval ID# 6295. This distance learning-independent course is offered at (0.8 update) CEUs Intermediate Level, OT Service Delivery, Foundational Knowledge. AOTA does not endorse specific course content, products, or clinical procedures.
Available Course Credits
| Alaska State PT & OT Board | 8.00 | ||
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AOTA | 8.00 | |
| Arizona State Board of Physical Therapy | 8.00 | ||
| Arkansas State Board of Physcial Thearpy | 8.00 | ||
| California Physical Therapy Board | 8.00 | ||
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Colorado Physical Therapy License Board | 8.00 | |
| Connecticut Department of Public Health | 8.00 | ||
| Delaware Examining Board of Physical Therapists and Athletic Trainers | 8.00 | ||
| District Of Columbia Department of Health | 8.00 | ||
| FPTA | 8.00 | ||
| Georgia State Board of Physical Therapy | 8.00 | ||
| Hawaii Board of Physical Therapy | 8.00 | ||
| Idaho Physical Therapy Licensure Board | 8.00 | ||
| Illinois Department of Professional Regulation | 16.00 | ||
| Indiana Physical Therapy Board | 8.00 | ||
| Iowa Board of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy | 8.00 | ||
| Kansas State Board of Healing Arts | 8.00 | ||
| Kentucky Board of Physical Therapy | 8.00 | ||
| Louisiana Physical Therapy Board | 8.00 | ||
| Maine Board of Physical Therapy | 8.00 | ||
| Maryland Board of Physical Therapy | 8.00 | ||
| Massachusetts Board of Allied Health Professionals | 8.00 | ||
| Michigan Board of Physical Therapy | 8.00 | ||
| Minnesota Board of Physical Therapy | 8.00 | ||
| Mississippi State Board of Physical Therapy | 8.00 | ||
| Missouri Advisory Commission for Physical Therapists | 8.00 | ||
| Montana Board of Physical Therapy Examiners | 8.00 | ||
| Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services | 8.00 | ||
| New Mexico Physical Therapy Board | 8.00 | ||
| New York State Education Department | 8.00 | ||
| North Carolina Board of Physical Therapy Examiners | 8.00 | ||
| North Dakota Board of Physical Therapy | 8.00 | ||
| Oklahoma Physical Therapy Board | 8.00 | ||
| Oregon Board of Physical Therapy | 8.00 | ||
| Pennsylvania State Board of Physical Therapy | 8.00 | ||
| Physical Therapy Governing Board New Hampshire | 8.00 | ||
| South Carolina Board of Physical Therapy | 8.00 | ||
| South Dakota Physical Therapy License Board | 8.00 | ||
| State of Alabama Board of Physical Therapy | 8.00 | ||
| State of Rhode Island Department of Health | 8.00 | ||
| Tennessee Board of Physical Therapy | 8.00 | ||
| Texas Physical Therapy Association | 8.00 | ||
| Utah Physical Therapy Licensing Board | 8.00 | ||
| Virginia Board of Physical Therapy | 8.00 | ||
| Washington State Board of Physical Therapy | 8.00 | ||
| West Virginia Board of Physical Therapy | 8.00 | ||
| Wisconsin Physical Therapy License Board | 8.00 | ||
| Wyoming Board of Physical Therapy | 8.00 |
Course Content
| Understanding, Evaluating, and Treating Distal Radius Fractures PDF | Module | ||
| Course Evaluation | Module |
Sarah R.Stillings, MA, PT, MPT, CHT
Sarah R. (Sally) Stillings is a PT and Certified Hand Therapist in Texas. She received her physical therapy degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Prior to becoming a therapist, Sally taught university-level writing courses and was assistant editor of The Journal of Craniomandibular Practice. In her extensive career as a PT, she has held a variety of clinical, teaching, administrative, and business roles, including general PT practitioner, upper extremity specialist, clinic manager, hand therapy clinic coordinator, continuing education (CE) instructor, and CE course administrator. She has also served as Executive Director of the Kellermann Foundation, a U.S. nonprofit organization supporting healthcare and community development in Uganda, East Africa. Her work now focuses on creating evidence-based CE materials for rehab professionals. Sally is a lifelong runner who celebrates all those who cover the ground.
419a Understanding, Evaluating, and Treating Distal Radius Fractures—Course Objectives
After successfully completing this continuing education course, the learner should be able to:
- List risk factors associated with incurring a distal radius fracture (DRF)
- Recognize anatomical attributes that contribute to the effect of DRFs on function
- Recall the primary types of extra-articular and intra-articular distal radius fractures
- Identify the epidemiology of such fractures
- Differentiate among surgical interventions for different types of DRFs
- Recognize how to develop therapeutic interventions for various types of distal radius fractures
- Recall complications associated with these fractures
- Identify how to design comprehensive treatment approaches to help patients regain function
- Recognize when to refer patients for specialized care
419a Understanding, Evaluating, and Treating Distal Radius Fractures—Table of Contents
HOUR 1
About the Author, Course Description 3
Course Objectives 4
Table of Contents 5
Introduction 7
History 8
Chapter 1: Applied Anatomy 12
Bony Anatomy of the Elbow and Forearm 13
Bony Anatomy of the Distal Radius/Ulna 14
Bony Anatomy of the Wrist and Hand
HOUR 2
Ligamentous Complex Forearm/Wrist 19
Musculature of Forearm, Wrist, and Hand 21
Nerves of Forearm, Wrist, and Hand 23
HOUR 3
Chapter 2: Occurrence and Presentation 27
Epidemiology
Risk Factors and Mechanism of Injury 28
In Children and Adolescents
In Older Adults 29
Pathophysiology 32
Fracture Types 33
Eponyms
AO Classification System 37
Fernandez Classification 40
Frykman Classification 41
Mayo Clinic Classification 42
Melone Classification 43
HOUR 4
Chapter 3: Fracture Fixation Treatments 44
Fracture Healing Stages
Bone Structure 45
Inflammation 46
Repair 47
Remodeling 48
Conservative Management 50
Complications 54
Surgical Interventions
Closed Reduction w/ Perc. Pinning 56
External Fixation 58
Open Reduction w/ Internal Fixation 65
HOUR 5
Chapter 4: Complications after DRF 71
Infection
Malunion
Nonunion 72
Nerve Injury 73
Tendon Injury 74
Hand Edema and Stiffness 75
Compartment Syndrome 76
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome 77
Arthritis 79
HOUR 6
Chapter 5: Patient Evaluation after DRF 80
General Medical History
History of the Current Complaint 81
Physical Exam 83
Visual Inspection 84
Edema Assessment 85
ROM Measurements 87
Sensation Testing 88
Strength Assessment 89
HOUR 7
Chapter 6: Therapeutic Intervention 91
Early Rehab
Patient Education 92
Edema Reduction 93
Early ROM 95
Managing Pain 98
Later Rehab 99
Regaining ROM 100
Regaining Strength/Function 108
Discharge Planning 111
Late Referrals
HOUR 8
Conclusion 115
Appendix: Distal Radius Fracture Protocols 116
References 127
Exam 132
Evaluation 142
Customer Cancellation:
Customers may request cancellations of their enrollment or subscription in our digital or live educational services, subject to the terms outlined below. Cancellation requests must be made in writing, either through email or through our designated cancellation process.
Refund Policy:
Refunds will be provided according to the following guidelines: i) For cancellation requests made within 5 days of the initial enrollment or subscription, a full refund will be issued. Refunds will be issued using the same method of payment used for the original transaction, unless otherwise agreed upon in writing.
Provider Cancellation:
In the event Physicourses cancels your course, you will be issued a full refund or transfered to a course of equal or greater value.
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Educational Level: Intermediate
Target Audience: PT, PTA, OT, OTA
Course Completion Requirements: Passing an online exam with 70% or greater will be required to earn continuing education credit
This course is approved for 0.8 CEUS. 8 contact hours
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