Lower Quarter

Sports Specific Rehabilitation of the Lower Kinetic Chain

** ABOUT THE SPEAKER **

Dr. Robert Donatelli, PhD, PT, OCS has a long list of accomplishments and titles within his profession including; 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, and Clinic Director of an outpatient facility providing Sports and Orthopedic rehabilitation. Dr. Donatelli has rehabilitated numerous professional athletes and was the Physical Therapist for the Champions Tour of Tennis, which included tennis legends such as Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe. He is the editor of Physical Therapy of the Shoulder 4th Edition, Orthopedic Physical Therapy 3rd Edition, and the proposed textbook, Sports Specific Rehabilitation. Estimated publication date is 2006. Dr. Donatelli has lectured on orthopedic topics throughout the United States, Canada, and England. Dr. Donatelli has lectured to the Romania Physical Therapy Association, a keynote speaker at the Australian National Physical Therapy Meeting, and to the Foot and Ankle Society meeting in Sweden.

** ABOUT THE COURSE **

The lower kinetic chain is a series of bony segments and joints interconnected and inter-related by soft tissue, all of which function together in coordinated patterns to establish movement. The majority of the time the lower limb functions in a closed chain with each contributing joint affecting the other. This course reviews the mechanics of closed kinetic chain function during walking and running. The effects of each adjacent joint are discussed in relation to its specific contribution to kinetic chain function. A comprehensive review of the core and its relationship to the lower extremity function is assessed along with a review of hip, knee and ankle/foot function. Isotonics, isometrics, isokinetics, plyometrics and concentric/eccentric muscle functions are the different modes of exercise used in rehabilitation of the lower limb. Further evaluation of the lower extremities will emphasize research findings comparing the different strengthening modes, stabilization techniques, treatment methods and orthotic interventions. Finally, implementation of rehabilitation programs individualized according to evaluative findings will be reviewed/discussed utilizing the research based findings discovered through this course.

** CONTINUING EDUCATION UNITS**

ELITE Seminars has applied for 16 credit hours as an approve provider of the New York State Department of Education.

** COURSE OBJECTIVES **

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the inter-relationship of the entire closed kinetic chain between the foot/ankle and the CORE.

2. Identify the posture of the pelvis, hip, knee, foot and ankle during gait (walking and running)

3. Identify treatment approaches for overuse injuries of the hip, knee, ankle, and foot.

4. Describe normal and abnormal mechanics of the hip, knee, foot and ankle.

5. Demonstrate and perform a biomechanical foot and ankle evaluation.

6. Demonstrate and perform a comprehensive CORE evaluation.

7. Describe foot orthotic strategies for mechanical ankle/foot dysfunctions.

8. Identify research studies that support the evidence basis of this course.