Upper Extremity Osteoarthritis

Presented by Christopher Bise

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An updated version of this course will be available in our catalog soon. Check our catalog in early 2025 for Evidenced-Based Management of Upper Extremity Osteoarthritis. Once the new course launches this course will not be available.

There is a significant body of literature describing the treatment of hip and knee Osteoarthritis (OA). Ironically, it is the upper extremity that has the greatest prevalence of OA with 30 – 35% of patients over the age of 60 reporting shoulder OA and 40-45% of patients in the general population reporting symptoms of hand OA. This course will offer a brief overview of OA of the upper extremity, review the current literature, suggest evidence based conservative interventions and finish with a brief overview of upper extremity joint replacement.

Meet your instructor

Christopher Bise

Chris is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at the University of Pittsburgh. He has been a physical therapist for 20 years and an Orthopedic Certified Specialist since 2011. He completed his undergraduate and graduate physical therapy training at Boston University in 1994 (BS) and 1996 (MSPT)…

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Chapters & learning objectives

Clinical Evaluation and Conservative Treatment of Shoulder Osteoarthritis

1. Clinical Evaluation and Conservative Treatment of Shoulder Osteoarthritis

The literature is rife with evidence for the treatment of knee and hip OA. The evidence for conservative intervention at the shoulder has little evidence of its efficacy, value or comparative effectiveness to shoulder arthroplasty. This chapter will discuss the state of the evidence surrounding conservative interventions for the shoulder and typical treatments based on the best available evidence.

Clinical Evaluation and Treatment of Elbow Osteoarthritis

2. Clinical Evaluation and Treatment of Elbow Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis of the elbow, though not as common as the shoulder or hand, has the potential to be a debilitating condition of the upper extremity. This chapter will present the evidence for conservative treatment, a brief overview of current surgical options and proposed post-operative management.

Clinical Evaluation and Treatment of Hand Osteoarthritis

3. Clinical Evaluation and Treatment of Hand Osteoarthritis

Though some prevalence estimates put the occurrence of hand OA between 40-45% of the general population over the age of 65, there is little in the way of evidence to support the use of conservative care in the management of hand OA. This chapter will present existing evidence and the proposed treatment model.