Physical Therapist-supervised Strength Training Trumps At-home Exercises after Shoulder Surgery

Physical therapist-led rehabilitation and strengthening exercises are superior to at-home, unsupervised exercise for those recovering from arthroscopic acromioplasty (a type of shoulder surgery), according to a new study published January 2012 Journal of Rehabilitative Medicine.

Arthroscopic acromioplasty may be used to surgically remove bone spurs or growths on the outer edge of the shoulder [...]

Physical Therapist-led Walking Skills Program Improves Physical Function after Total Hip Replacement Surgery

Physical therapy—specifically, a program aimed at improving walking skills—helps patients regain walking distance and stair-climbing ability following total hip arthroplasty, also known as total joint replacement surgery.

Researchers in Norway found that the physical therapy-led program’s benefits on physical function continued at least a year following hip replacement surgery.

While hip replacement patients [...]

Having Knee Osteoarthritis Seems to be a Risk Factor for Falls among Postmenopausal Women

Postmenopausal women with knee osteoarthritis have a 21 percent greater risk for fractures and a 27 percent greater risk for falls than women of similar ages, but without osteoarthritis, Medscape News reported November 7, 2011.

In this study, presented in Chicago at the American College of Rheumatology 2011 Annual Meeting, researchers analyzed existing data [...]

Hip and Knee Movement Could Impact Ankle Re-Injury Risk

Physical therapists and others who help patients recover from ankle injuries often work on strengthening and stretching the ankle joint. A new study by the University of Georgia suggests the way patients move their hip and knee joints also might impact whether a patient is at high risk for ankle re-injury. And changing the way patients move in order to minimize that risk could be an important part of patients’ rehabilitation for ankle sprains. [...]