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 […]
Managing Expectations When Recovering from a Labral Repair
This article was originally written in 2011, and the content still rings true! Our author had gone through multiple shoulder labral repair surgeries and has some great advice in terms of the realistic time frames for rehabilitation and goals. In the physical therapy clinic, the post-operative protocols that came out around 2005-2010 are holding up […]
Post-Surgical Ankle Boot? Please Get a Lift For Your Other Shoe!
Many of us know someone who has suffered trauma to the ankle or foot (fractures, surgeries etc.) that requires the usage of a giant, cumbersome immobilization boot. Ankle boots are a necessary evil: They protect the joints and bones of the lower leg and allow for bones and soft tissues to heal. The problem that […]
Why Won’t My Shoulder Rotate?
Deficits in the shoulder’s ability to rotate both internally and externally occur in patients with shoulder pain all of the time. Today we will be talking about internal rotation deficits. This is clinically referred to as “GIRD” (Glenohumeral Internal Rotational Deficit). The following photos illustrate how GIRD presents. Note that with the patient’s attempt to […]
What Does a Shoulder Labral Tear Feel Like?
From personal experience I can attest that labral tears can hurt quite a bit. What we will be discussing today in this blog post are a few ways to differentiate between shoulder labral tear pain and pain associated with other shoulder problems. For the sake of brevity, we have already described the basic anatomy of […]
Meniscus Surgery: What Can I Expect?
Meniscal surgery is the “bread and butter” procedure performed by most orthopedic surgeons in the country. In my physical therapy practice, it is one of the most common post-surgical diagnoses that we see. A short anatomy lesson: there are two (2) menisci that are found in each of your knee joints. They are horse-shoe shaped […]
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 […]
Should I Use Ice or Should I Use Heat?
Here is a basic list that tries to answer the epic question: Ice or Heat? 1. Ice is generally advised for acute injuries, particularly during the first two weeks following tissue damage. Ankle sprains, sports injuries, back spasm, or most sudden orthopedic injuries that cause swelling and inflammation are a few examples. 2. Heat is […]
Microfracture Knee Surgery Rehabilitation
Microfracture procedures are becoming more popular as a means of attempting to salvage a severely arthritic knee. The concept behind microfracturing is relatively simple: a surgeon uses a small needle to make tiny punctures in the surfaces of the femur, tibia, or patella (all of which make up the joint surfaces of the knee). This […]
Addressing the Inflammatory Process of your Injury
Often times when people have an orthopaedic injury, it is accompanied by pain. Pain is message of discomfort that is brought to our attention by our nervous system from a specific type of nerve. Pain has many different types of sensations or characteristics including, but not limited to, sharp stabbing, dull ache, burning, tingling, or […]
The “Safe” Position of the Hand
Have you ever wondered why a hand is casted in the following position when it is healing from a fracture? (See photo above) This certainly is not the typical resting position of the hand, but there is indeed a rationale as to why the “safe position” works better than other positions for prolonged periods of […]
Meniscal Transplant: Janaye Is “Over This”
Despite her brief moment of smiling in the photo, Janaye is “over this.” She self-reports this surgery as the most difficult one that she has had to date. Recall that Janaye has had many, many knee surgeries. (Read our previous posts: Part 1 & Part 2). Here are a few interesting points in regards to […]
Lessons Learned From Breaking My Ankle
Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, Labor Day weekend 2009 will forever be burned into my memory for two reasons. The first reason is that I almost died. The second reason is that it forced me to look at my body in a way that has directed me in how I treat patients with movement dysfunctions and orthopedic […]
How to Properly Deal with Finger Fractures & Sprains
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 […]
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 […]
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