Orthopedic Examination and Intervention for the Older Adult

Keeping up with new research can feel like a full-time job. But it doesn’t have to be. In this course, Dr. Carole Lewis breaks the latest research down into the most clinically relevant options for effective treatment programs for older adult patients dealing with orthopedic problems.

Each of Dr. Lewis’ lectures present current evidence regarding orthopedic problems and are followed by laboratory sessions with hands-on instruction in examination and intervention techniques. You don’t just learn ABOUT the latest research; you practice the tools and protocols until you’re skilled in their use and comfortable enough to implement them in your practice right away.

A plethora of specific examination tools for common orthopedic problems affecting older adults will be demonstrated and practiced. Evidence-based intervention strategies and progressions will be presented, and some practical tips make sure participants are not only familiar with the new techniques but can implement them with ease. Intervention techniques and approaches include advanced modified joint mobilizations, stretching and therapeutic exercise techniques specific for older persons.

Case studies will be presented and reviewed to facilitate effective intervention planning. Examination forms, musculoskeletal norms, and outcome measures for every joint will be discussed, and their important relationship to reimbursement for services will be addressed.

Upon completion, participants will be familiar with the body of evidence for geriatric orthopedic rehabilitation and feel comfortable with the latest examination procedures, exercises, and manual techniques. When participants leave this course, they will take with them the knowledge and ability to make precise intervention decisions with minimal risk to patients.

Participants will be able to reinforce clinical intervention with exercise programs based on the best evidence targeted to relevant impairments. All techniques presented have been selected from high quality published research, some of which the presenter has contributed to, and continues to use in her current clinical research and practice.

The extensive course handout, which is over 500 pages and includes more than 5,000 medical references, will provide detailed examination forms, outcome measures, suggested protocols, sample home exercises and progressions. The material provides a thorough approach to therapeutic strategies and goals, thereby preparing therapists to design and implement highly skilled rehabilitation programs for older persons in any intervention setting.

Treating older adults generally requires complex thinking. Therapists need to integrate effective strategies that meet their needs without jeopardizing any other limitation they may have, all while trying to keep their interest to ensure the home exercises are being done as prescribed.

By the end of this seminar, you will have added the following knowledge and skills to your toolbox.

  • The I-Stronger multifaceted functional training program
  • A great active-assistive stretch program for older adults
  • A reliable way to test strength with a blood pressure cuff and norms for this
  • A full body resistance program using bands and a Borg Card
  • Posture measures and treatments
  • Comprehensive mobilization and exercise program for lumbar stenosis
  • Bennell’s protocol for vertebral compression fractures
  • Reliable and valid tools for testing the core in older adults
  • The Start, BPFS or Sock test for back and hip pain
  • SI treatments for older adults
  • The deep neck flexor endurance test
  • Progression of the Brugger postural exercise
  • The Proprioceptive Neck exercise program
  • Fishman’s Piriformis protocol
  • High velocity resistance training for hip OA
  • Best exercises to strengthen the gluteals?
  • Latest protocols and exercises for hip fracture and total hips and knees
  • GLAD protocol for knee OA
  • High dose telerehab program for shoulder problems
  • Functional Arm and Shoulder Test
  • Upper Limb Physiological Performance Test
  • Hand Strength Focused Exercise Program
  • Numerous taping techniques for OA

To get the best results with older adults, therapists need to add new evidence-based interventions to their toolboxes. If you’re looking for the most effective and efficient way to integrate the latest research into your orthopedic care for older adults, this is the course for you.

What Participants Are Saying . . .

“Dr. Lewis is exceptional… I learned so much from this course. Every therapist in Geriatrics should take this course!”

“Thank you for making me a better physical therapist. “

“I look forward to getting to the clinic and putting all this new information into practice.”

“We are at a crossroads of our profession. If we don’t’ get GREAT outcomes, we will have a hard time surviving. This course, focusing on older adults, will help every clinician achieve those goals. We need to take courses like these, so we know we are doing the most effective interventions for our ever growing older adult population.”

  1. Perform specific intervention techniques for dysfunctions of the neck, back, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands, hips, knees, and feet of older persons including therapeutic exercises, therapeutic activities, mobilization and numerous evidence-based protocols.
  2. Select evidence-based interventions and outcome measures for a comprehensive rehabilitation approach for a myriad of orthopedic problems affecting older persons.
  3. Discuss intervention modifications to existing rehabilitation and note simple ways to incorporate manual techniques learned and practiced in the course into programs for a specific orthopedic problem.
  4. Comprehensively exam orthopedic dysfunctions in the neck, back, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands, hips, knees, and feet of older persons.
  5. Design individualized rehabilitation programs for specific orthopedic problems such as rotator cuff tears, osteoarthritis, total hip and knee procedures, fractures, osteoporosis, lumbar stenosis and other pathologies seen in older patients.
  6. Create the optimum environment for working with older persons.
  7. Demonstrate competence in over 10 different manual techniques for use with older persons.
  8. Compile and explain how to use over 20 different specific orthopedic functional outcome tools.
  9. Compare, contrast and use innovative therapeutic exercises for numerous orthopedic conditions based on the latest evidence.
  10. Dissect and develop intervention protocols for common orthopedic diagnoses.
  11. Use the immense handout in daily practice as a user-friendly reference for norms, evidence-based tests and evidence-based intervention techniques.

EDUCATIONAL CREDIT: A certificate of attendance for 20 contact hours of educational activity (20 CEUs or 2.0 CEUs depending on how your Practice Act determines CEUs in your state) will be awarded to registrants upon completion of the seminar. Great Seminars and Books is an Approved CE Provider for PTs and PTAs in OK, NY, IL, NC, CA, TX, and NM, and this course provides 20 contact hours of continuing education. This course is also approved for PTs and PTAs in MD, VA, NJ, UT, NV, ID and OK for 20 contact Hours. Our courses also meet the guidelines for approval in TN, PA, SD, MI, AL, VA, MO, IN, AZ, DE, GA, NH, OR, RI, UT, VT, WY, KY and MO. Courses are accepted for CEUs in NE, ID, MT, WA, CT, IA, and ND. If you do not see your state listed, please give our office a call. GREAT Seminars is an American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Approved Provider of continuing education (Provider #5363). This course is approved by the Florida Board of Occupational Therapy for 20 hours.  GREAT This course is not approved by ASHA or Board of Certification.

Your tuition may be tax deductible. Any reference to or mention of state rules or regulations concerning continuing education requirements are true and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of print. If you have questions, please contact your board or regulating body.

If you do not see your state listed, please give our office a call at 877 794 7328.

Day 1

7:30 – Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:00 – What are the essential tests and measures for working with older adults and what are the keys to being an effective clinician? From quickly examining the most frequent chronic conditions: heart conditions, balance, and visual impairment to implementing interventions to ameliorate these in our treatment programs, this talk will also emphasize areas and training to really connect with the older adult to achieve success.

9:30 – Break

9:45 – Learn the latest evidence-based examinations and interventions for the most common musculoskeletal issues as we age: Strength, Flexibility and Posture, as well as arthritis. Easy to administer exam tools and quick and effective manual and therapeutic exercise techniques will be demonstrated and practiced in this session. Practice Bautmans’s Evidence Based Protocol for Hyperkyphosis and many more.

12:00 – Working Lunch (on your own): Evidence Based Examination and Interventions for Foot Problems of the Older Person – what is in the literature for treating plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendon, posterior tibial tendonitis, and a special section on good shoes. You can bring a bag lunch and listen to the interactive pre- recorded presentation or go out to lunch and review the slides on your own.

1:00 – Examination and Interventions for Back Problems Commonly Seen in Older Persons – Lumbar Stenosis, Vertebral Compression Fracture, SI, Sprains/Strains

3:00 – Break

3:15 – Treating the Back (Lab) Innovative Exercises and Manual Techniques (Practice specific muscle energy techniques and comprehensive stabilization and SI protocols as well as Dr. Lewis’ often cited evidence-based exercise protocol for lumbar stenosis.)

4:30 – Neck Pain – Evidence based Examination and Interventions for – Cervical Spondylosis, Fibromyalgia and Myofascial Pain – Learn and practice – Modified Travell and Myofascial techniques for older persons.

6:00 – Conclusions, Questions and Answers

6:30 Adjourn

Day 2

7:30 – Continental Breakfast

8:00 – Help for Aging Hips – Evidence Based Examination and Interventions for Hip Fractures, Replacements and Osteoarthritis (Lab – become proficient in mobilization with movement and specific manual techniques for older persons)

10:15 – Break

10:30 – Total Knee Replacements and Osteoarthritis of the Knee – Using evidence and creativity to get results (Lab – Practice Deyo’s evidence-based manual and exercise protocol, the famous GLAD program, plus a myriad of other techniques as well as Dr. Lewis’ proven exercise protocol)

12:30 – Working Lunch (on your own): Bring a bag lunch and listen and learn with interactive slides on Osteoporosis – Everything you need to know for Examination and Intervention or go out to lunch and review on your own

1:30 – Aging Shoulder Problems – Is it Rotator Cuff or Bursitis? – Differential Examination and Interventions for Adhesive Capsulitis, Fractures, Rotator Cuff, and Bursitis (Lab focuses on evidenced based myofascial and mobilization with movement techniques as well as Dr. Lewis’ Adhesive Capsulitis protocol)

3:30 – Break

3:45 – Elbow, Wrist and Hand – Reaching for Results – Fractures, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, RA, Dupuytren’s Contracture (Lab – Perform and apply creative taping and mobilization with movement for the elbow wrist and hand)

6:00 – Conclusion – Putting it all together and take-home message

6:30 Adjourn

Cancellation/Refund Policy:
By Participants: Participant cancellations must be received in writing at least two weeks prior to the seminar date for tuition refund less a $75 administration fee. NO refunds will be made after this date.
By Great Seminars: In the event that a course is cancelled by Great Seminars and Books, participants will be offered the equivalent number of hours of another live course or a full refund. Great Seminars and Books is not responsible for course related expenses that participants may incur such as transportation including air fare, lodging or meals. It is highly recommended that you obtain refundable travel expenses.



For Mail/Email registrations call us at 877 794 7328 or fill out this registration form and email (greatseminars@aol.com) or mail (Great Seminars, 2639 Revere Drive, Akron, OH, 44333) it to us.


Registration Cost


New York City, NY – October 19-20, 2024

Hunter College
425 East 25th Street
New York, NY  10010


Early Bird (thru 9/11/24) = $595

Regular Price (9/12/24 – 9/25/24) = $645

Late Fee (9/26/24 – 10/19/24) = $695

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Your Instructor

Dr. Carole B. Lewis, PT, DPT, MSG, MPA, PhD, GCS, GTCCS, TRC/CTR, FSOAE, FAPTA