University of Delaware Orthopedic Residency Program
Description of Units

The residency is organized around units related to body parts and other orthopedic content areas.  The learning objectives are related to knowledge areas, practice dimensions and procedures.   The learning objectives are universal to the entire 13.5 month program while the content area “units” provide the framework to break down the vast areas of expertise into individual focus areas.

Orthopedic Residency Learning Units                                                                                                                           

1. Introduction to Facilities and Aquatic Therapy                1 month        
2. Spine Module                                                                     3 months     
1. Medical/Surgical Management and Decision-making
   (Orthopedic Spine Surgeon)
2. Procedural Intervention Diagnostics
   (Physiatrists)
3. Evaluation/Advanced Treatment
   (Physical Therapist with Spine Caseload)
3. Hand and Upper Extremity                                                3 months     
1. Medical/Surgical Managment and Decision-making
   (Hand Specialist and Shoulder Specialist Orthopedic Surgeons)
2. Procedural Intervention Diagnostics
   (Hand Specialist and Shoulder Specialist Orthopedic Surgeons)
3. Evaluation/Advanced Treatment
   (Certified Hand Specialist Physical Therapist)
4. Lower Extremity                                                                2 months     
1. Medical/Surgical Decision-making and Procedural Intervention Diagnostics
   (2 Knee Specialist Orthopedic Surgeons, 1 Foot and Ankle Specialist Orthopedic Surgeon, 1 Foot and Ankle Specialist Podiatrist)
2. Evaluation/Screening/Advanced Treatment
   (General Lower Extremity PT Management and PT Orthotic Evaluation and Prescription)
5. Industrial Physical Therapy                                              1 month        
1. Evaluation/Screening/Advanced Treatment
   (On-site Ergonomic Evaluation, FCE's, Pre-placement screenings)
2. Medical/Surgical Decision-making
   (Podiatrist Office and Surgical Visits)
6. Joint Arthroplasty (Knee and Hip)                                     1 month        
1. Medical/Surgical Decision-making
   (Joint Arthroplasty Orthopedic Surgeon)
2. Evaluation/Advanced Treatment
   (General Lower Extremity PT Management)
7. Review, Mentoring, and Other Specialties                         2.5 months     
1. Evaluation/Advanced Treatment
   (TMJ, General Orthopedic Physical Therapy)
2. Mentoring of New Incoming Resident

Annual Activity- Not “Unit” Related

1. General Orthopedic Physical Therapy at UD PT Clinic               12-20 hrs/wk
   with Certified Specialist PTs in Orthopedics and Sports
2. Scholarly Activity                                                                  Varies
1. Peer Reviewed Publications
2. National Presentations
3. Physical Therapy Practice Guideline Development                        
3. Case Rounds and Sports and Orthopedic Journal Club              5 hrs/month
4. Club Sports and Performing Artists Injury Screening Clinic       2 hrs/wk
5. Orthopedic Class Teaching Assistant                                       ~85 hours
6. Spine Class Teaching Assistant                                               ~90 hours
7. Radiology Course                                                                  ~8-10 hours