As physical therapists, we frequently hear this question: “I have this ache or pain, what should I do?” While specific aches & pains need a bit more assessment, there are general strategies that you can implement for musculoskeletal pain. In this blog post, we’ll be focusing on some strategies that are efficient in terms of […]
How Long Will It Take Me To Recover From Surgery?
This is one of the most common questions asked of both patients in our little outpatient orthopedic clinic and through the question sections in our blogs. This question is, of course, broad, and the answer depends on a myriad of variables. The answer in short is… probably longer than you were told. Here is our […]
Drawing: A Tool For Learning Anatomy
As any first-time student struggling with learning anatomy will tell you, the body is as complex as it is interesting. Organs, joints, muscles, tendons, fascial structures, bones, and ligaments all have specific three-dimensional relationships to one another that serve to optimize function. The learning and retention of this complex anatomy requires something that students who […]
Post-Traumatic Elbow Contractures: Etiology & Therapeutic Interventions
An elbow that will not entirely straighten can be quite frustrating when it comes to performing closed kinetic chain exercises such as push-ups and yoga poses (such as the “downward dog”). This loss of full range of motion can make the lengths of the arms functionally uneven, making closed kinetic chain activities awkward and in […]
Rotator Cuff or Rotator Cup?
I often hear people refer to the muscles that encircle the shoulder at the “rotator cup.” This of course is a misnomer. The muscles that surround the shoulder are correctly referred to as the “rotator cuff.” The definition of a “cuff” according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary is as follows: “Something (such as a part of […]
Benefits of the Anti-Inflammatory Diet
Learn about the benefits of the anti-inflammatory diet with a presentation by Molly Horan. Scroll down to view each slide or click on the slide for larger view (especially if viewing on a desktop/laptop). In this presentation, we’ll be discussing the pros & cons of an anti-inflammatory diet, considering the physiological effects of a pro-inflammatory […]
Shoulder Surgery: When Can I Get Rid of My Shoulder Sling?
Rotator cuff repairs, shoulder labral repairs, acromioplasty, humeral fractures, and other shoulder surgeries inevitably require the usage of a shoulder sling as a means of protecting the surgeon’s work and allowing early healing of the involved tissue. I have yet to meet a surgeon who does not prescribe the usage of a shoulder sling immediately […]
Do Your Ribs Move?
The ribs and the ribcage have many purposes. They protect many of the internal organs; they serve as attachment sites for many muscles that control the arms, pelvis, and neck; and they assist in the breathing process. Your ribs must be able to move fluidly in order to assist in all of these tasks. In […]
I Can’t Open My Hand All the Way: A Look at Dupuytren’s Disease
Why can’t I open my hand? There is an interesting phenomenon in the world of hand illness called Dupuytren’s disease. It is a progressive illness that causes a contracture on the palm of the hand, making it difficult to fully open. This causes many problems including the following: difficulty being able to grasp difficulty with […]
Two Long-Term Effects of Ankle Sprains
Most athletes, high-heel shoe addicts, and the chronically clumsy have encountered ankle sprains. The swelling and pain that result from turning one’s ankle can last for months and be very limiting in the short term. What most people do not address, however, are the long-term effects of ankle sprains. I have seen patients with lower […]
Why Won’t My Elbow Straighten?
On one occasion while playing basketball, I was knocked off of my feet, and I landed onto my left elbow. Thankfully, my elbow was not fractured, although it did bruise up substantially. In addition to some swelling, I soon noticed an inability to straighten out my elbow. For many months my elbow remained unable to […]
Physical Therapy Related Medical Abbreviations
Have you ever been confused by medical abbreviations written by doctors and therapists? Here is a list of common orthopedic abbreviations and definitions. THA: total hip replacement TKR: total knee replacement MMT / LMT: meniscal tears DDD: degenerative disc disease (spinal) DJD: degenerative joint disease (peripheral joints) FX: fracture HNP: spinal disc herniation RC: rotator […]
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 […]
Physical Therapist Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
How do physical therapists keep up with the latest in rehab, research, and treatment techniques? In order for a physical therapist to maintain licensure, he or she must complete a certain number of continuing educational units, or “CEUs,” per licensing period. In the District of Columbia for example, every licensed physical therapist must complete forty […]
Hip Labral Repair Rehabilitation: What To Expect
The hip labrum is a cartilaginous ring that extends around the outside of the hip socket as seen in the illustration below. Hip labral tears manifest as sharp, nagging pain deep in the hip or the groin areas. Pain associated with a hip labral tear may also refer down the thigh towards the knee. Car […]
What Exactly Is the Rotator Cuff?
The Anatomy Ah, the infamous rotator cuff. Nearly everyone knows someone who has injured it, but what is a rotator cuff? During my physical therapy career, I have heard individuals call this a rotator cup, rotary cuff, rotor cup, and many other alternatives, but do not worry because we understand what you mean. First, a […]
Why Does My Knee Cap Dislocate?
The most common type of knee dislocation is sideways toward the outside of the leg. This is usually due to weakness in the quads, more specifically the Vastus Medialis Oblique (VMO). The VMO is the innermost quad muscle that provides stability and allows the knee cap to move properly. When this muscle is weak, there […]
What Is the Easiest Way to Test the Knee for ACL Tears?
The “Lever Test,” or “Lelli’s Sign,” is a relatively new method devised to give us a quick and easy assessment of ACL integrity. What makes this test brilliant is its simplicity and reliance on the concept of using an intact ACL to demonstrate a simple fulcrum or “see-saw.” (Think back to your elementary school days […]