About Course

When is it safe to start stressing scar tissue after surgery or after an injury? This question was asked of me by two Orthopedic surgeons. As a rehabilitation specialist we should be developing the protocols for treatment of soft tissue injuries. This course is on healing scar tissue. It will review how the body heals and will review the stages of wound healing from bleeding, inflammation, fibrosis - scar formation and maturation. The course will review the histological aspects of each stage of wound healing. As a rehabilitation specialist we should understand how to heal tissue. The course will review the healing effects of eccentric exercise, Pressure wave, FOCUS wave, LASER therapy and manual therapy. It will demonstrate through case studies using diagnostic ultrasound how disruption of soft tissue structures such as ligament, tendons and muscle can be reversed. For example, we will review evidence that as a rehab specialist we can heal rotator cuff tears, ligament tear and muscle strains. We should not be attempting to break up a scar but help it remodel. (Intermediate Level)

PRESENTERS

Dr. Robert Donatelli, PhD, PT has experience as National Director of Sports Rehabilitation Physiotherapy Associates, personal physical therapist for Andy Roddick, ATP tour, physical therapist for the PGA Tour, consultant for the Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers, Clinic Director of an outpatient facility providing Sports and Orthopedic rehabilitation, and Physical Therapist for the Champions Tour of Tennis with Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe. He is the editor of Physical Therapy of the Shoulder 4th Edition, Orthopedic Physical Therapy 3rd Edition, and the 2006 textbook Sports Specific Rehabilitation. Dr. Donatelli also lectures internationally on orthopedic topics.

OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to:

1.Understand the effects of exercises that will make permanent changes in muscle and connective tissue length and strength

2. Define scar tissue.

2. Understand that scar tissue is normal it does not need to be broken up in order to allow normal mobility.

3. Explain remodeling of scar tissue and how exercise and modalities support tissue recovery

4. Explain the effects of Eccentric exercise on scar tissue and muscle lengthening

6. Define the role and use of Pressure wave and Shock wave in tissue healing.

7. Understand the effects of Manual therapy on soft tissue.

8. Determine when to start stressing scar tissue after surgery.

9. Understand sarcomeres and how we achieve sarcomeres in series.

10. Define the difference between scar tissue and normal collagen in terms of mobility.

AGENDA

Pre-Study: 30 Minutes Plan to read the course materials, references and review the post test before the start time. Please be prepared to share patient case study and related question during the discussion time.

30 min: Introduction and What is collagen?

30 min: What are the healing mechanisms of soft tissue injury? Passive stretching benefits - negatives

30 min: Eccentric loading and miraculous effect on tendons and muscle.

30 min: How soon should we we start to stress scar tissue and influence remodeling?

Post-test: Research, identify, and submit your post test question answers on the online form. This is an open book test you can take multiple times if needed to obtain the 70% score.