A Therapist’s Guide to Differential Diagnosis of the Ankle and Foot
Course Overview
This course is designed to provide healthcare professionals with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively evaluate musculoskeletal injuries in the ankle-foot joint. Participants will learn various evaluation strategies specific to the musculoskeletal system and apply them clinically to identify and assess injuries in this region. The course will cover the identification and analysis of red flags and yellow flags, which are important indicators of potential serious conditions or psychosocial factors affecting recovery. Participants will learn how to recognize these flags and understand the appropriate referral criteria for physicians, ensuring efficient and timely patient care.
Learners will focus on differentiating between systemic and musculoskeletal differential diagnoses. By doing this, participants will learn to critically analyze and interpret symptoms and signs, enabling them to identify the need for therapy or refer patients to the physician or emergency services when necessary. By the end of this course, participants will have developed a comprehensive understanding of musculoskeletal evaluation strategies for the ankle-foot joint. They will be able to confidently identify musculoskeletal injuries, analyze red flags and yellow flags, and differentiate between systemic and musculoskeletal differential diagnoses. This knowledge and skillset will enable healthcare professionals to provide effective and timely care for patients with ankle-foot joint injuries.
Learning Outcomes
Upon the completion of this course, the learner should be able to:
- Identify possible red flags while triaging the patient for physician referral.
- Analyze musculoskeletal differential diagnosis of the ankle foot joint.
- Analyze systemic differential diagnosis of the ankle foot joint.
- Apply the latest clinical practice guidelines and evidence-based treatment strategies to the management of ankle and foot rehabilitation.
About the Author/Presenter
Rina Pandya, PT, DPT, received her entry-level physical therapy degree from the School of Allied Health Sciences Manipal, India, and her post-professional doctoral degree from the University of Michigan-Flint. Having practiced physical therapy in four countries including India, Oman, the United Kingdom, and the United States, coupled with administrative experiences as a rehabilitation manager, Dr. Pandya shares an eclectic model of practice that maximizes autonomous care. As an avid believer of lifelong professional learning, she has taken an extensive number of professional development courses and certifications that allow her to teach contemporary practice to clinicians. Dr. Pandya’s appreciation for evidence-based practice continues following completion of a formal research methods program offered through the Manchester School of Physiotherapy in the United Kingdom. Her passion for teaching and learning, along with the joy in helping clinicians succeed, makes her an apt instructor for this course.
Audience/Accreditations and Approvals
Colibri Healthcare
This course is designed for the following healthcare professions (select your profession for details):
Physical Therapy
If you require special accommodations, please contact Colibri Healthcare Support by clicking here: Contact Us
