Currently, in the state of Colorado patients can access their Physical Therapist without a referral from another healthcare provider such as primary care physician. This model of care has been utilized since the 1950’s throughout the country and is most notable in our military where our soldiers have direct access to their Physical Therapists. In...
In prior posts we have documented the impact of ACL injuries on our athletes. Unfortunately, these injuries are becoming more common especially among female athletes who are up to 8-10 times more likely to sustain an ACL injury compared to their male peers. The risk factors behind these injuries have been described in previous posts,...
Patients with outer hip, lateral, pain have previously been diagnosed with trochanteric bursitis indicating the fluid filled sack between our hip muscle tendons and our thigh bone is to blame for their symptoms. In addition the -itis ending in the diagnosis leads us to believe there is an inflammatory process taking place in the hip....
Often in Physical Therapy we are asked if an image would help in our diagnosis or treatment of a patient’s symptoms. The answer is very dependent on the individual patient’s case but in most cases imaging has not been shown to improve outcomes. In prior posts we have discussed the strengths and limitations of diagnostic imaging...
Knee arthritis (knee OA) is the most common form of osteoarthritis and affects many individuals in middle to older age. This condition can be found on x ray or MRI testing in both asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals. The high rates of false positive imaging findings require a thorough subjective and objective examination in order to make a...
Running Mechanics Running is one of the most common forms of exercise and has grown in popularity as evidenced by the wide range of age and ability levels running in Boulder County. Unfortunately, injuries effect a significant number of athletes with up to 90% reporting a prior injury(1). The vast majority of these injuries are...
Hip Osteoarthritis Background Hip Osteoarthritis (OA) is considered one of the most serious musculoskeletal problems secondary to its impact on patients’ pain and disability, as well as, the economic impact on our healthcare system. 20% of the aging population will experience hip OA and the condition is a predictor of current and future func- tional...
Hip Pain associated with Impingement and Labral Tears Femoral Acetabular Impingement (FAI) is defined as the mechanical abutment of the femoral head against the acetabulum1. This contact is either structural (cam or pincer lesion), functional or a combination of both and results in pain, loss of motion, and disability. Researchers have questioned if the findings...
