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ForwardModule 1 Accelerated PA Certificate Program
September 9, 2024 to December 9, 2024
COHORT 1
Massachusetts General Hospital Orthopedic and Sports Medicine
Specialty Certificate Program
September 2024 - May 2025
TERM 1 – NURS 602 Musculoskeletal Essentials I
TERM 2 - NURS 604 Musculoskeletal Essentials II
TERM 3 – NURS 606 Musculoskeletal Essentials III
| Date | Topics/Readings | Outcomes/Topics | Topics | Assignments/Readings |
| WEEK 1 | Introduction | Understand the course structure/syllabus | Elbow and Forearm – Overview, Pain Diagrams, Anatomy | Essentials of Musculoskeletal Care |
| 9/9/2024 | Musculoskeletal anatomy – Focus on upper extremities | Demonstrate knowledge of the anatomy of the upper extremities | Section 2, pages 322-329 | |
| Hand and Wrist- Overview, Pain Diagrams, Anatomy | Section 3, pages | |||
| 432-438 | ||||
| Section 4, 496-504 | ||||
| WEEK 2 | Musculoskeletal anatomy- focus on lower extremities and spine | Determine the anatomy of the lower extremities and spine | Hip and thigh - Overview, Pain Diagrams, Anatomy | Section 5 pages 628-636 |
| 9/16/2024 | Knee and Lower Leg – Overview, Pain Diagrams, Anatomy | Section 6-Pages 720-732 | ||
| Foot and Ankle – Overview, Pain Diagrams, Anatomy | Section 7 - Pages 858-866 | |||
| Spine - Overview, Pain Diagrams, Anatomy | Section 8 - Pages 1018-1032 | |||
| WEEK 3 | Musculoskeletal physiology | Demonstrate an understanding of muscle, bone, ligament and cartilage physiology. | Article posted in: Readings & Resources | |
| 9/23/2024 | ||||
| WEEK 4 | Physical assessment of the musculoskeletal system – focus on the history and mechanism of injury | Demonstrate methods to perform an accurate and thorough history from a patient with a musculoskeletal complaint | Overview of General Orthopedics and Principles of Musculoskeletal Evaluation | Essentials of Musculoskeletal Care |
| 9/30/2024 | Sports Medicine Evaluation and Management Principals | Section 1 Pages 7-14 | ||
| 264-277 | ||||
| Section 9 – pages 1272-1274 | ||||
| WEEK 5 | Physical assessment of the musculoskeletal system – focus on the upper extremities | Exhibit methods for assessing the upper extremities | Physical Examination of the Shoulder | Section 2 - Pages 324-329 |
| 10/7/2024 | Physical Examination of the Elbow and Forearm | 336-346 | ||
| Physical Examination of the Wrist and Hand | Section 3 – Pages 434-445 | |||
| Section 4 – Pages 498-516 | ||||
| WEEK 6 | Physical assessment of the musculoskeletal system – focus on the lower extremities | Learn methods for assessing the lower extremities | Physical Examination of the Hip and Thigh | Section 5 - Pages 630-636 |
| 10/14/2024 | Physical Examination of the Knee and Lower Leg | 644-650 | ||
| Section 6- 724-732 and 738-748 | ||||
| WEEK 7 | Midterm Exam | |||
| 10/21/2024 | ||||
| WEEK 8 | Diagnosing conditions of the musculoskeletal system – focus on congenital factors and the pediatric patient | Use critical thinking and inductive and deductive reasoning to diagnose congenital conditions of the musculoskeletal system | Pediatric Orthopedics | Section 9 - Pages 1120-1133 |
| 10/28/2024 | ||||
| WEEK 9 | Diagnosing conditions of the musculoskeletal system- focus on overuse injuries and conditions | Appropriately use subjective and objective information to diagnose overuse injuries and conditions. | Overuse, overtraining syndrome | Article posted in: Readings & Resources. |
| 11/4/2024 | Throwing Injuries | Section 1 200-213 | ||
| Dance Injuries to the foot and ankle | Section 2 Pages 392-398 | |||
| Section 7 Pages 923-927 | ||||
| WEEK 10 | Diagnosing conditions of the musculoskeletal system- focus on traumatic upper extremity injuries | Demonstrate the ability to accurately diagnose upper extremity traumatic injuries and conditions. | Shoulder | Section 2 – Pages 323-329, 336-346, 347-349, 356-357, 363-364, 367-369, 370, 373-374, 376-378, 380-381, 383-384, 399-401, 406-407, 409-411, 418-419, 423-424 |
| 11/11/2024 | Elbow and Forearm | Section 3 | ||
| 434-445, 446-448, 452-453, 455-456, 458, 461-462, 464-466, 474-475, 479-481, 486-487, 488-490 | ||||
| WEEK 11 | Diagnosing conditions of the musculoskeletal system- focus on lower extremity injuries | Define the diagnoses for lower extremity traumatic injuries and conditions. | Hip and Thigh | Section 5 – Pages 630-636, 644-650, 651-652, 655-656, 658-660, 662-663, 666-668, 670-672, 676-677, 679-680, 703-704, 706, 708-710 |
| 11/18/2024 | Knee and Lower Leg | Section 6- Pages 722-732, 738-748, 749-751, 760-763, 767-770, 776-779, 783-786, 789-791, 799-801, 806-808, 818-819, 821-823, 826-828, 838-839, 841-843 | ||
| WEEK 12 | Diagnosing conditions of the musculoskeletal system- focus on spinal injuries | Identify the conditions and injuries to the spine | Spine | Section 8 – Pages |
| 11/25/22024 | Wrist and hand and foot and ankle | Hand and Wrist | 1020-1032, 1038-1054, 1055-1056, 1057-1059, 1060-1061,1065-1067, 1070-1071, 1073-1074, 1076-1077,1082-1083, 1088-1090, 1092-1094, 10-96-1097, 1099-1100, 1107-1108, 1109-1110 | |
| Foot and Ankle | Section 4 Pages 498-516, 521-523, 527-528, 532-533, 536-537, 539-541, 547, 550-551, 571-572, 573-574, 576-577, 580-582, 585-586, 588-590, | |||
| 445-447, 450-452, 455-456, 459-465, 470-471, 474-476, 483-489,493-514, 517-527, 531-539, 542-547, 560-562, 563-566, 597-598, 599-600, 608-610, 614-615, | ||||
| Section 7 Pages | ||||
| 861-866, 873-887, 892, 898-899, 906-908, 912-913, 915-916, 935-936, 938-939, 941. 944-945, 947, 949-950, 953-955, 956-957, 963-964, 968-969, 975-977, 990-992, 994-995, 1001-1002, 1004-1006, 1013 | ||||
| WEEK 13 | Diagnosing conditions of the musculoskeletal system – focusing on infections | Demonstrate diagnosis of infections of the musculoskeletal system | Osteomyelitis | Section 1- Pages 119-119, and 122-124 |
| 12/2/2024 | Septic Arthritis | Pages 38-40 | ||
| Lyme Disease | Pages 553-556 | |||
| Fingertip Infections | Pages 568-569 | |||
| Flexor Tendon Sheath Infections | Section 4. Pages 517-520 and 594-596 | |||
| Bite wounds | ||||
| WEEK 14 | Final Exam | |||
| 12/9/2024 | ||||
| WEEK 15 | Introduction | Understand the course structure/syllabus | Armstrong and Hubbard Section 1 Pages 109-117 | |
| 12/16/2024 | Radiography | Overview of Imaging Principles and Techniques | Readings and/or viewings posted IN Readings & Resources. | |
| Demonstrate knowledge of xray/radiographs. | ||||
| HOLIDAY BREAK | ||||
| WEEK 16 | Radiography | Demonstrate understanding of magnetic resonance imagery (MRI) and magnetic resonance imagery with arthrogram(MRA) | Readings and/or viewings posted IN Readings & Resources. | |
| 1/6/2025 | ||||
| WEEK 17 | Radiography | Demonstrate an understanding computed tomography (CT) | Readings and/or viewings posted IN Readings & Resources. | |
| 1/13/2025 | ||||
| WEEK 18 | Radiography | Demonstrate an understanding ultrasound (US). | Readings and/or viewings posted IN Readings & Resources. | |
| 1/20/2025 | ||||
| WEEK 19 | Radiography | Determine when other studies are necessary, including Bone Scan, DEXA scan and PET scan | Readings and/or viewings posted IN Readings & Resources. | |
| 1/27/2025 | ||||
| WEEK 20 | Midterm Exam | |||
| 2/3/2025 | ||||
| WEEK 21 | Management | Learn how to manage upper extremity (shoulder and elbow) injuries and conditions. | Section 2 Armstrong and Hubbard | |
| 2/10/2025 | Pages 347-350,356-358, 363-386, 399-402, 406-414,418-420,423-425 | |||
| Section 3 | ||||
| 446-449, 452-468,474-476, 479-482,486-490 | ||||
| WEEK 22 | Management | Describe how to manage lower extremity (hip and knee) injuries and conditions. | Section 5 | |
| 2/17/2025 | 651-684, 688-690, 694-696, 701-710, | |||
| Section 6 | ||||
| 749-753,760-763, 767-771,776-779, 783-796, 799-804,806-814, 818-829, 833-835, 838-844 | ||||
| WEEK 23 | Management | Identify the management strategies for general musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. | Section 1 | |
| 2/24/2025 | CAM for Osteoarthritis | Pages 25-68,80-87 | ||
| 32-68, | ||||
| 39-45 | ||||
| WEEK 24 | Management | Learn how to manage acute and chronic spine injuries and conditions. | Section 8 | |
| 3/3/2025 | Management of hand and wrist injuries and conditions. | 1055-1068, 1070-1079, 1082-1085,1088-1101, 1107-1111 | ||
| Management of foot and ankle injuries and conditions. | Section 4 | |||
| 521-524,527-529,532-533, 536-542,547-548,550-552, 563-567, 571-591 | ||||
| 892-894, 898-901, 906-909, 912-913, 914-918, 935-958963-0965,968-969, 975-978,985-987,1004-1006,1013-1014 | ||||
| WEEK 25 | Management | Management and treatment for pediatric congenital and traumatic injuries and conditions | Section 9 | |
| 3/10/2025 | Pages: | |||
| 1134-1159, 1172-1196,1201-1271 | ||||
| WEEK 26 | Health Maintenance | Prescribe and recommend the best practices for Diet and nutrition in prevention or health maintenance for patients with musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. | Section 1 Pages: | |
| 3/17/2025 | Osteoporosis | Readings posted in Readings & Resources. | ||
| Section 1 Pages: 189-198 | ||||
| WEEK 27 | On-Campus Workshop Day | |||
| 3/21/2025 | ||||
| WEEK 28 | Health Maintenance/ Injury Prevention | Describe the mechanisms to prevent overuse injuries – throwing programs, return to running or return to play | Section 1 Pages: | |
| 3/24/2025 | Sports related Concussion | 200-213 | ||
| Section 2 | ||||
| 392-398 | ||||
| Section 1 | ||||
| Page 275 | ||||
| Section 1 pages 69-78 | ||||
| WEEK 29 | Health Maintenance | Identify safety for patients to avoid musculoskeletal injuries and conditions, and recommend physical activity | Section 1 Pages: | |
| 3/31/2025 | 127-135 and 165-176 | |||
| 276 | ||||
| WEEK 30 | Final Exam | |||
| 4/7/2025 | ||||
| WEEK 31 | Introduction to MSK III and | Understand the course structure/syllabus | Weekly discussion board post and case study. | |
| 4/14/2025 | Practice models overview | Demonstrate knowledge practice models. | ||
| WEEK 32 | Soft tissue injections/ joint aspirations and injections | Describe the process of joint injections and aspirations and indications and contraindications for these interventions | Corticosteroids Pages 92-94 and 454 | |
| 4/21/2025 | Adverse effects 688-689 | |||
| Adhesive capsulitis 312 | ||||
| Subacromial bursa 325-326 | ||||
| Rheumatoid arthritis 52 | ||||
| Knee arthritis 680 | ||||
| Viscosummplementation 680 | ||||
| Shoulder impingement 3320 | ||||
| Thumb CMC joint 453-454 | ||||
| AC joint injections Pages 289-290 | ||||
| Ankle 812-813 | ||||
| Carpal tunnel 468-469 | ||||
| Knee 675-677 | ||||
| MCP/PIP 448-449 | ||||
| Pes anserine bursa 690-691 | ||||
| Shoulder 316-317 | ||||
| Wrist 457-458 | ||||
| Weekly discussion board post and case study | ||||
| WEEK 33 | Casting, splinting | Describe the process of joint and fracture reduction and patient indications. Review complications. | Weekly discussion board post and case study. | |
| 4/28/2025 | Fracture and dislocation reduction | Identify principles of casting and techniques for applying immobilization. | ||
| Determine best practices for suturing, immobilization | ||||
| WEEK 34 | Suturing | Review for some, new information for others on suturing | Weekly discussion board post and case study. | |
| 5/5/2025 | ||||
| WEEK 35 | Scope of practice | Demonstrate a keen knowledge of the scope of practice for the NP, PA and MD/DO, PT, ATC | Weekly discussion board post and case study. | |
| 5/12/2025 | Discuss the role of first assisting in the operating room, including review of sterile technique. | View voiced over ppt and material posted in Readings & Resources. | ||
| WEEK 36 | Certification | Identify certifying bodies for the specialty of orthopedics | Weekly discussion board post and case study. | |
| 5/19/2025 | View voiced over ppt and material posted in Readings & Resources. | |||
| WEEK 37 | Final Exam | Take 3 times, the highest of the 3 scores will be recorded. | ||
| 5/26/2025 |
Note: Continuous Improvement:
The contents of this syllabus may be added to, deleted from, or altered if the faculty believes it is necessary to achieve the course objectives. New material appropriate to contemporary practice may be added by the instructor during the course.
Course Components:
- Weekly Discussion Boards
- Weekly Case Studies
- Midterm Exam
- Final Exam
Karen M. Myrick, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, ONP-C, FAAN
Karen M. Myrick, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, ONP-C, FAANP, FAAN, is a distinguished Professor of Nursing and Clinical Professor of Medicine, renowned for her unparalleled expertise in orthopedics and sports medicine. Serving as the track coordinator for a Post-Master's Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Certificate program for Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants, Dr. Myrick shapes the future of healthcare professionals with her extensive knowledge and experience.
In addition to her academic roles, Dr. Myrick maintains an active clinical practice as a nurse practitioner in an orthopedic urgent care setting, where she provides exceptional care to patients with various musculoskeletal injuries, including hip conditions.
With a profound commitment to advancing healthcare through research, Dr. Myrick's focus on athletes and sports medicine has garnered multiple grants, enabling her to pioneer innovative approaches in clinical health assessment. Notably, she has authored and edited several authoritative textbooks, solidifying her status as a thought leader in the field. Dr. Myrick's groundbreaking work includes the development, testing, and publication of a novel physical examination technique for diagnosing hip labral tears, revolutionizing diagnostic practices in orthopedic care.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Karen is a dedicated triathlete, martial artist, and runner, embodying the synergy between her personal interests and professional expertise. Her passion for an active lifestyle underscores her deep understanding of the biomechanics and rehabilitation of hip injuries, enriching her contributions to both research and clinical practice.
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