The following video (below) gives us a quick example of what the three-hop test is. In a nutshell, our athlete is taking three consecutive hops using the same leg while striving for the maximum forward distance possible. Note that the participant must maintain total control of the hops: no loss of balance, stutter stepping, or […]
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 […]
What to Expect from Physical Therapy: Team Players Do Better!
You’ve waited on dealing with an injury for quite some time, because you’ve heard the jokes about physical therapy that don’t make it sound so appealing. “Don’t you know that PT stands for pain and torture?” Because of either pain or loss of function, you finally find yourself in physical therapy. What can you expect? […]
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 […]
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 […]
Strengthen Your Scapular Muscles!
The scapula, otherwise known as the shoulder blade, plays a vital role in shoulder mechanics. If the shoulder blade is not controlled well via the muscles that attach to it, problems ranging from neck pain to rotator cuff tendonitis are often the result. Scapular strengthening is often overlooked both in patients that are trying to […]
Why Are My Legs Different Lengths?
“My tailor told me that one of my legs is longer than the other when he measured me for my pants.” I have heard that quote countless times in my clinic from patients. Once people have this idea of “uneven leg lengths” ingrained in their minds, they think that it is an unfortunate permanent fixture […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
