Category Archives: Feature Article
September 2015
Knee OA, biomechanics, and progression to TKA
The frontal and sagittal plane gait biomechanics associated with progression to total joint replacement in patients with knee osteoarthritis, particularly variables related to sustained loading, may be promising…
By Cheryl Hubley-Kozey, PhD, and Gillian Hatfield, PT, PhD Continue reading
September 2015
Tibial stress fractures: an evidence-based approach
Study findings suggest that increased loading rates and tibial acceleration are associated with an increased risk of sustaining a tibial stress fracture. Interventions directed at reducing these impact…
By CPT Jamie B. Morris, DPT, OCS, CSCS, and LTC Donald L. Goss, PT, PhD, OCS, ATC Continue reading
September 2015
Fifth met fractures and osteoporosis in women
Given that older women are at increased risk for osteoporosis, an increased incidence of fifth metatarsal fractures with increasing age in women suggests that such injuries could serve as an early point of entry into osteoporosis treatment and fracture prevention.
By David Beck, MD, Justin Kane, MD, and David Pedowitz, MD Continue reading
September 2015
Cryotherapy and muscle recovery after exercise
Research utilizing contrast-enhanced ultrasound suggests that, although cryotherapy effectively decreases the pain associated with exercise-related muscle damage, those symptomatic effects are not associated with decreased blood flow in the affected skeletal muscle.
By Noelle M. Selkow, PhD, ATC, and Susan A. Saliba, PhD, MPT, ATC Continue reading
September 2015
Surface EMG: A how-to guide for practitioners
With evidence-based protocols in hand, practitioners can feel more comfortable clinically integrating surface electromyography (sEMG) assessment, creating more sophisticated sEMG treatment protocols, and demonstrating the effectiveness of interventions.
By Rachelle Bordlee, sDPT, and Christopher Kevin Wong, PT, PhD Continue reading
August 2015
Running modifications to alter PFJ contact force
Patellofemoral pain interventions have increasingly focused on running technique and training approaches—such as utilization of a forefoot strike pattern, a shortened step length, and manipulations to training pace—to reduce patellofemoral joint loading parameters.
By Collin D. Bowersock, BS, and John D. Willson, PT, PhD Continue reading
August 2015
Researchers inch toward understanding of PTTD
In recent years, studies have elucidated aspects of the biomechanical effects of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction that may ultimately lead to improvements in treatment. But it isn’t always clear which factors contribute to PTTD and which
develop in response.
By Cary Groner Continue reading
August 2015
Vitamin D deficiency and risk of fracture in football players
Many US football players have lower than adequate serum vitamin D levels, but questions remain about the potential benefits of proactive treatment with supplementation to address vitamin D deficiency and reduce the risk of fracture in this
patient population.
By Mark A. Duca, MD; Christina M. Mathyssek, PhD; Jeffrey W. Bost, PA-C; and Joseph C. Maroon, MD Continue reading
August 2015
Contributors to pediatric ACL surgery outcomes
Different factors influence outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in younger and older pediatric patients, but regardless of age, a delay to surgery is correlated with more severe additional injuries and the need for additional surgical procedures.
By Justin T. Newman, MD Continue reading
July 2015
Iliotibial band syndrome and running mechanics
The mixed findings of several cross-sectional studies seem to suggest that no specific biomechanical variables are unequivocally associated with iliotibial band syndrome in either men or women, which underscores the importance of assessing each patient individually
By Eric Foch, PhD Continue reading
July 2015
Diabetic foot conference weighs offloading issues
Offloading was a hot topic at the recent meeting of the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot in the Netherlands. Diabetic foot experts in attendance discussed new research on offloading strategies and updated the organization’s practice recommendations.
By Cary Groner Continue reading
July 2015
Role of early rehab stages after ACL reconstruction
Traditionally, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction outcomes have been assessed preoperatively and several months postoperatively, but new research suggests the early postoperative stages of recovery may also significantly affect self-reported outcomes.
By Caitlin J. Miller, PT, DPT, and Jesse C. Christensen, PT, DPT, SCS Continue reading
June 2015
Adapted tango: bringing artistry to rehabilitation
Adapted tango, a version of traditional Argentine tango modified to address motor impairments, has been shown to improve balance, mobility, and cognition in older adults and patients with Parkinson disease, with better compliance than conventional rehabilitation.
By Madeleine E. Hackney, PhD Continue reading
June 2015
Total ankle arthroplasty: defining its clinical niche
Research generally upholds total ankle arthroplasty as a viable alternative to the traditional first-line surgical treatment, ankle arthrodesis, for correctly selected patients with end-stage ankle arthritis. But complication rates associated with ankle arthroplasty remain an area of concern.
By Hank Black Continue reading
June 2015
Hip strength, balance, and risk of ACL injury
Hip strength is associated with performance on the Star Excursion Balance Test in female collegiate athletes, a finding that adds to the evidence that hip strengthening programs can…
By Jatin P. Ambegaonkar, PhD, ATC, OT, CSCS; Lindsey M. Mettinger, MS, ATC; Shane V. Caswell, PhD, ATC; Andrea Burtt, MS, ATC; Shruti J. Ambegaonkar, PT, PhD; and Nelson Cortes, PhD Continue reading
May 2015
A long, frustrating search for plantar fasciitis relief
My husband Phillip and I used to live in Manhattan Beach, CA, a charming and affluent coastal town just south of Los Angeles. We resided two blocks from the wide, sandy beach. We took advantage of The Strand—a pair of concrete pathways that run for about two miles in front of many multimillion-dollar homes.
By P.K. Daniel
May 2015
Conference coverage: 7th ACL research retreat
Anterior cruciate ligament injury experts met in Greensboro, NC, to examine the extent to which biomechanics and other less-familiar factors—including joint laxity, fatigue, neurocognitive function, and genetics—may contribute to noncontact injury risk.
By Jordana Bieze Foster Continue reading
May 2015
Dual-task gait: The potential influence of orthotic devices
Clinicians know walking while performing a secondary task can be particularly difficult for elderly patients or those with neuromuscular impairments. But new research suggests the use of orthotic devices may improve dual-task gait, which could significantly improve quality of life.
By Cary Groner Continue reading
May 2015
Exergaming: therapeutic benefits in older adults
Increasing numbers of studies are suggesting that exergaming can help improve strength, balance, and other variables in older adults, but clinicians also need to be aware that some aspects of exergaming can present challenges in this patient population.
By Ying-Yu Chao, RN, GNP-BC, PhD Continue reading
May 2015
Music therapy and gait: rehab to a different beat
Research suggests the use of rhythmic stimuli for gait rehabilitation can help improve gait and balance in patients with Parkinson disease, stroke, and other conditions, but some questions regarding its overall applicability and optimal delivery method remain.
By Greg Gargiulo Continue reading
April 2015
A new triplanar paradigm for bunion management
The most common paradigm in bunion surgery relies on one or more metatarsal osteotomies to correct the 1-2 intermetatarsal angle (IMA) and soft tissue balancing to align the first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTPJ), sesamoid apparatus, and hallux. Additionally, the most common approach…
By Paul Dayton, DPM, MS, FACFAS, and Merrell Kauwe, DPM
April 2015
Risk of overuse injury in high school athletes
Roughly 60% of overuse injuries in high school athletes occur in the lower extremities, injuries that are increasing in number as more students participate in sports. Treatment involves rest and correction of biomechanical deficiencies, and should be individualized to each athlete.
By Allison Schroeder; James Onate, PhD, AT, ATC, FNATA; and Thomas Best, MD, PhD Continue reading
April 2015
APTA’s revised heel pain guidelines spur dialogue
The American Physical Therapy Association has updated its 2008 guidelines on the nonsurgical treatment of heel pain with a bolstered evidence base, but lower extremity practitioners continue to debate the clinical merits and most effective applications of certain newer therapies.
By Hank Black Continue reading
April 2015
The psychology of returning to sports after ACL surgery
Psychological factors are responsible for delayed return to sports after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in a significant number of patients despite successful physical rehabilitation, but questions remain as to the most effective ways to address these issues.
By Trevor A. Lentz, PT, SCS, CSCS Continue reading
April 2015
Early weight bearing after Achilles tendon repair
Early mobilization and weight bearing after Achilles tendon repair is associated with improved patient satisfaction and faster return to work and sports, with no significant increase in rates of tendon rerupture or postoperative wound and nerve complications.
By David P. Taormina, MD, and Nirmal C. Tejwani, MD Continue reading
