Conference Description

This course is designed to provide primary healthcare providers, physical therapists, and athletic trainers a review of current management techniques for common complaints in selected areas of the musculoskeletal system. Emphasis of this course will be on problems commonly encountered by primary health care providers, including diagnosis, management, and appropriate criteria for referral to an Orthopaedic surgeon or for other subspecialty care when indicated.

Conference Objectives

At the conclusion of the training, the participant should be able to:

• Gain confidence in performing a focused cervical exam to distinguish mechanical neck pain, radiculopathy, and myelopathy red flags.
• Be able to choose when (and when not) to order cervical imaging and initiate first-line management.
• Outline safe return-to-play criteria for athletes with stingers/neck strain.
• Perform a structured preoperative evaluation for patients undergoing arthroplasty, identify high- risk features (including poor functional capacity, comorbidities, and modifiable risk factors), and implement evidence-based optimization strategies to enhance surgical safety and post-operative recovery.
• Identify various upper extremity overuse injuries based on physical exam, imaging, and current diagnostic criteria.
• Use evidence-based approaches in managing said injuries and knowing the appropriate exercise program to prescribe.
• Determine safe RTP/RTL.
• Consider using emerging treatments for overuse injuries.
• Understand the pathophysiology and biomechanics of an apophysis.
• Learn how to recognize situations where apophysitis is on the different diagnosis.
• Become comfortable treating apophysitis including imaging, treatment options and referral guidelines.

Registration Fees

Advance registration is encouraged. Register early to avoid disappointment. Your registration will be confirmed via email. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please contact UNM CPL at HSC-CPL@salud.unm.edu to verify your attendance. Registration includes conference materials, breakfast, lunch and refreshment breaks. Please confirm your registration before making travel arrangements. Minimum and maximum registration numbers have been established for this activity. Registrations paid in cash must be in the exact amount of tuition. CPL does not maintain a petty cash fund. It is UNM policy to charge offerer $35.00 plus normal merchant bank fees for each returned check. Please note: For security and processing efficiency, CPL does not handle credit card payments submitted via paper forms and is unable to process purchase orders. Please use our secure online registration platform.