Geriatric Orthopedics Part II: Management of the Geriatric Spine
Description
Course Description:
When treating older adults, clinicians often neglect the orthopedic conditions that can be the underlying source of their global functional decline. As a result, clinicians are often treat the symptoms, ignoring the root cause of the issue, leading to poor clinical outcomes and a revolving door medical model in which the patient is bounced from professional to professional with little relief for their condition. This hour and a half interactive lecture will cover important concepts in management of the geriatric spine including common pathologies, screening assessments, precautions and contraindications for treatment, exercise prescription, and manual therapy techniques. We will also discuss the effects that orthopedic conditions of the spine have on other systems such as the cardiopulmonary and neurologic systems. Common misconceptions in treating spinal conditions of the older adult will be covered as well to promote best practice in clinical management to meet the unique needs of this population.
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this course, participants will be able to
- compare and contrast common spinal pathologies in the older adult population.
- identify screening tools, precautions, and contraindications in treating the older adult spine.
- design and prescribe appropriate intensity of exercise and manual therapy-based interventions for spinal pathologies occurring in the older adult.
- appraise the various ways in which spinal conditions can impact other systems within the body
About The Speaker(s)
Dr. Heidi Moyer, PT, DPT is a physical therapist in the home health setting in Chicago. Heidi is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Geriatric Physical Therapy 
(GCS) and a Certified Exercise Expert in Aging Adults (CEEAA). Dr. Moyer is currently an adjunct faculty member at Governors State University in their Doctor of Physical Therapy program and has previous experience teaching continuing education for Evidence in Motion, Illinois Physical Therapy Association, and for conferences such as National Student Conclave and Combined Sections Meeting. Heidi is an active APTA Geriatrics member, serving as the Eastern Regional Coordinator for the State Advocate Program and secretary for the Balance and Falls Special Interest Group. Heidi was the recipient of the APTA Geriatrics President’s Award in 2020 and the APTA Emerging Leader Award in 2019.
Dr. Andrew Thomas, PT, DPT has been practicing the outpatient setting for 5 years. Andrew is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapists (FAAOMPT), a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy (OCS), and a Certified Exercise Expert in Aging Adults (CEEAA). He completed his orthopedic manual physical therapy fellowship training through the Manual Therapy Institute in August of 2018. He has previous experience teaching continuing education for the Illinois Physical Therapy Association. While outpatient orthopedics is his primary setting, Dr. Thomas sees many older adult patients in his practice. He is also an active member of APTA and AAOMPT and works as a facility manager for Athletico in the Chicago area.
