PT Management of Integumentary Impairmen

This 7-week course during the fifth term of the DPT curriculum, focuses on the physical therapy management of individuals with: (a) lymphedema and (b) impairments to their skin and its associated structures including the hair, nails, and glands.

This course presents the physical therapy diagnosis and management of clients with lymphedema and integumentary impairments with an emphasis on open wounds. Principles of skin anatomy, wound healing physiology, and factors affecting wound repair provide the foundational knowledge necessary for understanding the principles of integumentary impairments. Physical therapy examination (patient, skin, and wound) and interventions (setting up a sterile field, sharp debridement, management of infection, dressing selection, compressive wrapping, and modalities available for adjunctive care) are covered. Wound etiologies including acute surgical wounds, burns, pressure, vascular and neuropathic ulcers encountered in the clinical arena and current treatment that facilitate wound healing and closure are delineated. The principles of lymphedema pathophysiology, including classification by level of tissue involvement, and treatment are covered. Course content is framed in a biopsychosocial model that explores interprofessional collaboration and psychosocial factors influencing care delivery through cased-based learning strategies.