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To start, Therapydia’s Blog Awards end this Tuesday, February 26th at 5 PM PST / 8 PM EST. Immediately following the end of voting, the winners will be announced live on Therapydia’s PT-TV. So, please take the time to vote for Orthopedic Manual PT as the ‘Best Student Blog’, I appreciate your continued support! VOTE HERE!
This month’s blog posts come from Forward Thinking PT, In Touch Physical Therapy, The Sports Physio, My New Joints, and The Manual Therapist.
Blog Posts
Joseph Brence, DPT wrote a great post detailing the brain’s influence on human movement in an article titled, “The Beauty of Movement…Part 1“. This is a topic that I think many therapists disregard, but the importance is paramount to a successful rehabilitation.
Harrison Vaughn, DPT over at In Touch PT has been busy this month with a number of great, informative posts. The first (“By the Numbers: 3.57 vs 2.46“) is an overview of a recent article published by Dr. James Dunning and the differing amount of cavitations versus a similar study conducted in 1996 by Reggars et al. Differing techniques may have contributed, but does this translate to improved outcomes? Current research in the lumbar spine says no, but the cervical spine is a much different animal. The next post, “PT Tests for Dx Achilles Tendon Rupture“, that details the Matles Test (sp = 0.85, sn = 0.88), which is a lesser known diagnostic test for achilles tendon rupture. Finally, “Hoffman’s Test and Inverted Supinator Sign” explains the clinical utility of these tests in the screening for cervical myelopathy (especially when used within the cluster described by Cook et al). The videos of ‘positive’ findings were very useful, especially for current students or new grads.
In a post titled “Shoulder pain, GIRDs and Sleeper Stretches…“, Adam Meakins, PT discusses the probable causes, diagnosis, and treatment of GIRD. Well worth a read!
“Non-operative Management for Patients after ACL Rupture” written by Joseph Zeni, MSPT, PhD details the current research and qualifying criteria for individuals who may be able to forgo ACL reconstruction in favor of conservative treatment. Research has begun to mount in favor of conservative physical therapy for a certain sub-set of patients with this injury and this is information that all patients should know prior to going under the knife.
Finally, at The Manual Therapist, Erson Religioso, DPT, FAAOMPT has posted several articles about IASTM, SIJ Dysfunction, and Patient Evaluation… Check them out:
“5 Important Things I Didn’t Learn in School”
“Q&A Time! How Do I Address SIJ Dysfunction?”
“5 Techniques for “SIJ” Dysfunction”
“2 Myths of IASTM”
“3 Advantages of IASTM”
“5 Evaluation Goals”
Research
Anneli P, et al. Physical Function Outcome in Cervical Radiculopathy Patients After Physiotherapy Alone Compared With Anterior Surgery Followed by Physiotherapy: A Prospective Randomized Study With a 2-Year Follow-up. Spine. 2013; 38(4): 300–307.
Collins NJ, et al. Prognostic factors for patellofemoral pain: a multicentre observational analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2013; 47(4): 227-233.
Oliveira VC, et al. Multimodal physiotherapy is effective for anterior knee pain relief. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2013; 47(4): 245-246.
Selkowitz DM, et al. Which Exercises Target the Gluteal Muscles While Minimizing Activation of the Tensor Fascia Lata? Electromyographic Assessment Using Fine-Wire Electrodes. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2013; 43(2): 54-65.
Swensen DM, et al. Epidemiology of Knee Injuries among U.S. High School Athletes, 2005/2006–2010/2011. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. 2013; 45(3): 462–469.
Walton DM, et al. Risk Factors for Persistent Problems Following Acute Whiplash Injury: Update of a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2013; 43(2): 31-43.
Additionally, if you are a physical therapy student and you are interested in interacting with other students from around the world, consider joining the WWPTSN’s Facebook Group!
John Snyder, DPT 