CME expires June 30, 2028

Improve patient care and advance your clinical skills in orthopaedics.

The Orthopaedic Care for Physician Assistants: Trauma Care Series provides a detailed and thorough guide for orthopaedic physician assistants and allied health professionals who are dedicated to the care of orthopaedic trauma and emergencies. This course reviews the diagnosis, evaluation, and management of musculoskeletal injuries, focusing on sprains, strains, fractures, and other soft-tissue injuries commonly encountered in orthopaedic practice.

Throughout this course, you will enhance your knowledge of musculoskeletal anatomy, refine your clinical assessment skills, and learn to recognize urgent and emergent conditions requiring immediate management, such as compartment syndrome, chronic ligamentous instability, and fractures at high risk for nonunion or malunion. In addition to evidence-based treatment strategies, this course also reviews rehabilitation protocols, surgical considerations, and the latest advancements in orthopaedic trauma care.

This course will equip you with the skills and confidence to provide optimal treatment, minimize complications, and improve functional outcomes for patients with traumatic orthopaedic injuries.

Immerse yourself in expert-led modules and technique videos from Essentials of Musculoskeletal Care, ed 6, each of which was carefully selected to enhance your knowledge of anatomy, diagnostic modalities, and treatment options. Complement your learning with targeted readings from the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (JAAOS), access to the latest research via links to PubMed, and select AAOS videos.

This course provides physician assistants specializing in orthopaedics a structured, evidence-based approach for the diagnosis and management of traumatic orthopaedic injuries, ensuring they can optimize patient outcomes and remain at the forefront of musculoskeletal care.

Editors

Matthew Colman, MD, FAAOS

Marlene DeMaio, MD, FAAOS

Learning Objectives

• Assess clinical symptoms and physical examination findings associated with various ligament sprains and musculotendinous strains.
• Interpret radiographs and advanced imaging studies, including MRIs, CT scans, and stress radiographs, to accurately diagnose traumatic orthopaedic injuries.
• Formulate appropriate treatment plans for patients with a ligament sprain or muscle strain, integrating principles of protection, immobilization, rehabilitation, and NSAIDs while considering contraindications.
• Implement evidence-based treatment strategies for complex soft-tissue injuries, including avulsion fractures, complete muscle ruptures, and chronic ligamentous instability.
• Recognize the pathophysiology and clinical implications of adverse outcomes, such as chronic joint laxity, compartment syndrome, and myositis ossificans.
• Identify risk factors for recurrent ligament and tendon injuries and recommend preventative measures, such as proprioceptive training, proper warm-ups, and biomechanical assessments.
• Evaluate indications for referral to an orthopaedic surgeon, particularly in patients with a severe grade III ligament sprain, complete musculotendinous rupture, or persistent disability despite nonsurgical treatment.

Earn up to 20 AMA PRA Category 1 CME credits™.