The first total knee replacement was performed in the late 1960s and the surgery has become one of the most successful procedures in orthopedics. Authors estimate up to 600,000 total knee replacements are performed each year to reduce pain and improve function in patients with knee arthritis. Many of these patients will undergo both pre...
Running injuries remain a common problem for the vast majority of runners. Many of these athletes report a loss of training days or competition due to a current or previous injury. Contributing factors include muscle weakness, decreased mobility, and training errors. Progressing training volumes (frequency, intensity, duration, terrain) too quickly prevent the tissues from properly adapting...
Osteoarthritis is estimated to affect 250 million people worldwide leading to high rates of global pain and disability. These rates are expected to raise as our population of baby boomers continues to age into their golden years. Unfortunately, many with osteoarthritis will become less active or sedentary because of their symptoms and in turn are...
The evidence and momentum continue to build for seeing a Physical Therapist first for patients with low back pain. Physical Therapists have continually been shown to be clinically and cost effective providers for low back pain conditions. This approach, direct access to Physical Therapy, has been utilized by large hospital systems and Fortune 500 companies...
Despite the amazing health benefits of exercise, the CDC estimates 80% of Americans do not meet national guidelines for weekly exercise. Patients with knee arthritis report decreased participation in daily exercise programs including walking and moderate exercise secondary to pain, weakness, and fear of injury. In our Boulder Physical Therapy practice many patients are fearful...
Yoga is a popular form of individual and group exercise designed to improve flexibility, movement quality, and strength. Participants benefit from sustained position holds designed to target different body regions. As expected, the work of the stabilizing muscles increase with greater balance and weight bearing demands. A recent study examined which exercises were best for...
Aging occurs in all of our body systems including the spine. Similar to wrinkles and grey hair, the spine will demonstrate age related changes including disk bulges, herniations, facet and ligament changes, as well as, degeneration around age 30. Interestingly, we find a high percentage of these changes in people with and without neck pain. Thus,...
Previous research has documented no difference in long term outcomes between Physical Therapy and surgery for patients with rotator cuff tears. Many patients with rotator cuff tears, including massive tears, do well with conservative treatment of their shoulder injuries demonstrating improvements in pain, strength, and function. Strength training makes up the foundation of conservative care...
Arthroscopic hip surgery rates have dramatically increased in the last decade due in part to increased MRI imaging. MRIs are very sensitive, but lack specificity in many musculoskeletal disorders with high rates of false positives among asymptomatic populations. Hip pathologies such as impingement (cam or pincer) and labral tears can be found in up to...
Manual therapy, including joint mobilization and manipulation, is a Physical Therapy intervention designed to reduce pain and improve mobility. These interventions have been shown to accelerate a patient’s recovery compared to usual care or exercise alone. Although mechanisms behind its’ effectiveness are still being researched, manual therapy unique ability to reduce pain allows an individual...