Orthopedic physical therapy can indeed be life-changing. A skilled physical therapist (PT) can no doubt get a person back on track with one’s daily activities after surgery, an injury, an accident, or even illness. These orthopedic conditions do cause much distress.
An orthopedic PT specializes in diagnosing and also treating conditions that affect any part of one’s musculoskeletal system. Orthopedic conditions do need medical attention.
An orthopedic PT works to integrate all of the other bodily systems, like the neurological and cardiovascular systems, with one’s musculoskeletal system to treat one’s injury or condition appropriately.
What is orthopedic physical therapy?
Orthopedic physical therapy entails the care of one’s entire musculoskeletal system, which includes one’s
- Bones.
- Muscles.
- Ligaments and also tendons.
- Joints.
- Connective tissue.
A PT who specializes in orthopedics can rather evaluate one’s condition and also diagnose the issue or condition a person has. This will include:
- Determining the appropriate movement diagnosis.
- Creating a treatment plan.
- Administering therapeutic care.
- Educating about managing a current injury or condition to prevent further injury.
Orthopedic physical therapy is rather provided in outpatient clinics, hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, sports facilities, and even in one’s home.
The entry-level degree for a PT these days is a clinical doctorate. So when a person goes to work with a PT, the person is working with a doctor of physical therapy who has completed three years of graduate school studies.
What orthopedic conditions require orthopedic physical therapist treatment?
Orthopedic physical therapists treat almost any condition that affects one’s ability to move or function physically in one’s daily life.
Conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system
Orthopedic physical therapy can indeed also be a primary or even complementary treatment option for the following types of musculoskeletal conditions:
- Arthritis
- Bursitis
- Frozen shoulder
- Cancer
- Knee instability
- Joint pain
- Limited range of motion
- Lower back pain
- Lyme disease
- Lymphedema
- Parkinson’s disease
- Muscular dystrophy
- Plantar fasciitis
- Scoliosis
- Spinal stenosis
- Stroke
Few PTs specialize in treating specific patient populations.
A sports PT can help athletes to move safely to prevent injuries. They can also indeed help athletes recover from sports-related injuries.
Rehabilitation after surgery
After surgery, orthopedic physical therapy can help reduce pain, normalize one’s walking, improve one’s range of motion, and prevent excessive scar tissue buildup. It can also help regain one’s balance, strength, and mobility.
Patients often work with orthopedic PTs after surgeries like:
- Hip replacement
- Knee replacement
- Heart surgery
- Knee arthroscopy
- Rotator cuff repair
- Cancer surgery
Rehabilitation after acute injury
An acute injury happens as a result of a single trauma to one’s body. If causing a sprain an ankle, tear the meniscus, or herniate a disc in one’s back, an orthopedic PT can help out:
- Manage pain and also swelling
- Function with the weight-bearing restrictions on the doctor’s recommendations
- Regain as much of one’s range of motion as possible.
- Rebuild one’s strength
- Learn, of course, how to move in ways that do not make one’s condition flare up again.
Rehabilitation after chronic injury
A chronic injury is indeed damage to a person’s body that does occur over time, usually as movement patterns have rather caused small, repetitive injuries to one’s tendons, bones, or even joints. Examples of chronic injuries include:
- Shin splints
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Tennis elbow
An orthopedic PT can indeed analyze one’s movement patterns to isolate the source of the injury. They can also indeed help the person to manage symptoms such as pain and swelling and can educate them about how to move safely in order to avoid injuries in the future.
Types of treatments are used.
- Hot/cold therapy
- Exercise therapy
- E-stim (TENS or NMES)
- Traction
- Hydrotherapy
- Soft tissue manipulation
- Joint mobilization
- Dry needling
- Laser or light therapy
- Kinesiology taping
Conclusion
Orthopedic conditions can cause much pain and need to be treated.
