We have been seeing a lot of finger fractures and sprains as of late. Here is my list of finger facts that you may find useful if you ever have to deal with a finger trauma and subsequent rehabilitation. 1. Don’t panic If your finger is crushed, jammed, sliced, slammed, or otherwise traumatized, in all […]
Right Side Dominant: Do We Have A Problem?
Yes, you actually might have a problem if you are “too right-sided.” Let me start by saying that our brains are naturally wired to be right side dominant. If everything goes well in utero, during childbirth, and during our early developmental stages, one can expect to be right-handed. It so happens that this is the […]
Low Back Problems Can Be a Real Pain in the Butt
After suffering a low back injury a few years back, I realized I needed to make some changes. I had always been very active and strong. I could lift far more than the average person. I played multiple sports as a youth and continued through my young adult life. I worked hard labor jobs from […]
Femoracetabular Impingement – What Is It?
In recent years there has been a lot of talk about the hip in the world of orthopedics, physical therapy, sports, and fitness. Why, you may ask? Well, a very significant reason this area of orthopedics has exploded is due to improved technology, allowing better imaging techniques and a clearer view of the hip. What […]
Musicians & Complex Motor Programming of The Hands
I have always marveled at the complexity of the sensorimotor programming of the hands. From an evolutionary standpoint, we developed the ability to oppose, circumduct, flex, extend, and abduct the thumb. This allowed us to effectively grasp objects and tools. Our remaining fingers have a complex network of both intrinsic and extrinsic muscles that provide […]
When Can I Start Working Out After Shoulder Surgery?
At PhysioDC, we hear this question all of the time. It is a vague question, because it depends entirely on what type of procedure/repair you had on your shoulder. IN GENERAL, here is a basic protocol for many types of rotator cuff repairs, labral repairs, bankart repairs, and acromioplasty. It goes without saying that you […]
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
The “thoracic outlet” is the anatomical space through which vital nerves and arteries exit the neck and enter the arm. (See illustration below) You can see from the illustration that there are many structures that have the potential to get in the way of, clamp down on, or otherwise disrupt the nerves as they pass […]
Frozen Shoulder: What should I do?
A forty-year old woman ”Jane” came in to the clinic last week with a look of exasperation on her face, clutching her left arm. A month ago she had reached behind her to get something out of the back seat of her car and felt a sudden, jarring pain in her shoulder that she described […]
The Importance of Strengthening Rotators & Stabilizers, Part 1
Strong stabilizers are key in joint health and stability. According to the Access to America’s Orthopedic Services (AAOA) Act of 2011, annual direct and indirect costs for musculoskeletal diseases and conditions total over $849 billion. The lack of endurance in the spine and lumbo pelvic stabilizers, can lead to common chronic musculoskeletal conditions such as […]
Momentum, Collisions, Car Accidents, and the Advantage of Playing Sports Drunk?
That is indeed a very long title. And, no, we as physical therapists would never advocate playing sports under the influence of alcohol. Where to start… A few weeks back a patient and I were discussing the concept of momentum and collisions. My patient was involved in a motor vehicle accident and was hit by […]
How Do I Stabilize an Unstable Shoulder?
A significant percentage of the population has “unstable” shoulders, or shoulders that have the ability to move into ranges that place one at risk for orthopedic injury. Also known by the medical community as “multi-directional instability,” loose shoulders are fairly easy to identify. If you suspect that you have an unstable shoulder, ask yourself the […]
How Do I Strengthen My Neck Muscles?
Those of us that sit at a computer will probably recognize the image on the left. Notice the forward position of the head on the neck. This position has the chronic effect of weakening the deep muscles of the neck, in particular a muscle known as the “longus colli.” Chronic weakness of the longus colli […]
Why Are My Ring Finger & Pinky Finger Numb?
Have you ever awoken to a numb hand? This is the result of one or more of the nerves in the arm being either clamped or stretched due to sleeping position. One of the most common nerves involved in this type of numbness is the ulnar nerve, as it passes around the elbow joint in […]
Sleeping Comfort after Shoulder Surgery
Rotator cuff repairs, labral repairs, acromioplasties, and shoulder replacement surgeries are performed on countless patients every day in the United States. Although rehabilitative protocols differ depending on the surgery, there is one common complaint shoulder patients have regardless of the type of surgery. Most patients are not equipped to deal with the pain associated with […]
How Do I Deal With A Shoulder Dislocation?
Shoulder dislocations typically occur from sudden jarring motions while the shoulder is in a compromised position. An auto accident, fall off a bicycle, or collision while playing sports are common examples of situations that can cause dislocations. For those of us who are naturally hyper-flexible, it may take much less force to cause a dislocation. […]