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Archived News The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) teaming up with National Falls Free Coalition in efforts to urge Congress to fund fall-prevention initiatives. Bonita Lynn Beattie, an APTA member and representative for National Falls Free Coalition, recently traveled to Washington D.C. to promote fall-preventative measures. While there, she explained the dynamics of falls in the elderly, the nature of their preventability, and the very necessity that steps be taken by Congress to fund initiatives like the Safety of Seniors Act. Are you experiencing some form of pain as you read this? If so, you’re not alone: 27% of Americans are experiencing pain at any given moment throughout the day. According to a recent survey that asked nearly 4,000 randomly-selected Americans if they were experiencing pain at intervals throughout a 24-hour interim, 28.8% of men and 26.6% of women reported some form of pain. Pain also proved more common for individuals with lower incomes and less education. Hip and knee replacements have taken a severe upswing in recent years. Due to an ever-growing baby boomer population and an accompanying increase in arthritis cases, the rate of hip and knee replacements in the American population has risen dramatically. The negative impact on the health care system, as well as the myriad individuals suffering from arthritis, is a trend that appears to only be worsening. Lumbar supports for low back pain are no more effective than rudimentary lifting education or even no treatment at all. Spurred by so many individuals who take medical leave as a result of back pain, 15 studies regarding back pain were observed and showed no difference in the amount of sick days used between those who used lumbar supports to recover and those who did not. Awareness of stroke warning symptoms shockingly low amongst elderly population. A survey that interviewed over 70,000 potential stroke victims asked whether they considered each of five symptoms to be a notification of an impending stroke. The second and third parts threw in a decoy symptom to make sure subjects weren’t answering “yes” to all questions, then asked them if they would contact 9-1-1 if a stroke occurred. The overall results were at the very least alarming. Physical, social and economic conditions of neighborhood environment have a major impact on the rate of exercise in respective neighborhoods, with areas that are poverty-stricken, have low education rates and contain predominantly female-headed families less likely to exercise. According to a study that analyzed exercise rates of 8,782 residents in 373 neighborhoods of Chicago, the factors mentioned above served as a major deterrent in the decision to exercise or not. Neighborhood characteristics were proven to be more significant than income rates in determining if an individual chose to exercise, and women proved to be affected more so by their exterior surroundings than males. MRIs are proven to be unnecessary in diagnosing Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee; X-rays are nearly always just as sufficient. The overly-expensive MRI, which can run upwards of $2,500, has recently become the primary method for diagnosing OA of the knee. Studies show, however, that the significantly cheaper X-ray ($150 or less) is both more effective and the preferred choice for orthopaedic surgeons. The major culprit: over-utilization of the health care system. New treadmill helps stroke patients regain the ability to walk. The approach, known as locomotor treadmill training with partial body weight support, uses a harness system that safely guides the stroke patient to re-learn the proper way to walk. Without the use of such a device, most stroke patients develop an abnormal gait that is extremely difficult to correct, leaving many severely disabled. Type 2 diabetics are more likely to undergo carpal tunnel surgery than the non-diabetic population. In a study conducted at the University of Western Australia, data on over 1,000 diabetics was analyzed to show the incidence rate of carpal tunnel decompression to be about 5.5%, over four times the rate for the general population. Simple non-invasive procedure can help eliminate pain and treat back fractures without surgery for those with osteoporosis. The new procedure, vertebroplasty, uses a small needle and local anesthetic to place bone cement in the fractured area, whether it be the back or elsewhere. After only ten minutes, the cement hardens, and pain is reported to disappear immediately. Studies have shown patients who have vertebroplasty performed to experience a 90% reduction rate in pain 24 hours after the procedure. Beginning rehabilitation promptly after stroke is proven to be helpful for stroke victims. The National Stroke Research Institute in Heidelberg conducted a study on 71 stroke victims and were shocked to discover that administering rehabilitation within 24 hours of the stroke led to better recovery rates. Up to this point, doctors were uncertain as to the safety level of having patients participate actively so soon after a stroke. Nintendo’s Wii used at nursing homes as eccentric new method to help elders exercise while playing interactive games, and in turn, work towards recovery. Two centers in California have begun using the Wii gaming system to encourage elders to perform rehabilitative motions with a more visually and physically stimulating medium than ordinary exercise. The centers have reported positive feedback from the residents and therapists have documented significant progress in patients who have been using Wii. Joint effort between physical therapists, nurses and surgeons helps patients who undergo minimally invasive knee surgery experience a smooth surgical process. 96% of the patients at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago who had minimally invasive knee surgery were able to go home the same day as surgery, many walking unassisted or with the use of a cane. The phenomenal success rate comes as a result of the combined forces of physical therapists, nurses and surgeons, who worked together to prep and train patients before surgery by informing them of what to expect and how it can be dealt with. Study investigating great debate of surgery vs. physical therapy for back pain proves both treatments to be equally effective, with the cost of surgery and length of physical therapy remaining the respective cons of the two processes. Surgeons have long feared the possibility of complications arising if patients with back pain failed to have an operation. The results of two studies conducted by U.S. researchers have proven there is no disadvantage of physical therapy over surgery. Physical therapy takes longer but will cost less, while surgery will provide near-immediate relief but will run most Americans about $6,000. Both provide the same relief after a two-year span of time. Do you still have lingering questions regarding falls amongst elders? Have your concerns addressed during a national physical therapist hotline on Feb. 8. The toll-free hotline, which will run from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 8, will give elders and those who care for elders the opportunity to speak to a PT directly for information on why falls are so common, the risk factors associated with falls and preventative methods for each individual to avoid falling. Strange finding links osteoarthritis of the knee to finger length. According to a new study conducted by the University of Nottingham, the smaller the ratio between index finger and ring finger, the higher the possibility for osteoarthritis of the knee in the subject. Although much remains to be investigated, the initial findings caused researchers to regard finger length as a new risk factor for the most common form of arthritis. Importance of scoliosis screening in grade schools being undermined by accompanying costs for potential scoliosis patients. Controversy abounds throughout the country as schools question whether the costs for scoliosis screenings are worth it as medical professionals emphasize that early detection now dramatically outweighs surgery costs that may be incurred later on. In the midst of dangerous icy weather, risk of broken wrists is less burdensome due to new plate technology that speeds recovery. “Locking plates,” which require smaller incisions in the wrist and are more stable than older models are used in a newly developed method of treatment for wrist fractures, which permits patients to return to normal functioning much sooner than previous methods allowed. Some patients claim to recover fully after two months of the treatment, compared to the usual six-to-nine month period. Ergonomic designs in the workplace may be the key to fewer long-term computer-related injuries. A vibrating mouse, massage-undulating chair and movable computer screen are a few of the products being developed by Alan Hedge of the international authority of office ergonomics. Due to the fact that computers are becoming invariably prevalent and used at earlier ages, products modeled after ergonomics are one possible solution with some positive results to an issue that affects anyone who uses a computer frequently. Aerobic and stretching exercises in warm water reduce pain for patients who suffer from osteoarthritis of the hip or knee. Some relief may be in the works for patients with osteoarthritis of the knee or hip, which affects 6% of the American population, according to results from a new study on water training conducted by a professor from The Parker Institute in Frederiksberg, Denmark. The new treatment, “hydrotherapy,” is designed to combine the benefits of regular exercise and stretching with the additional soothing affect of warm water. Foot orthoses may improve balance for those with chronic ankle instability. Researchers led by an assistant athletic trainer at St. John’s University conducted a study on 20 adults with reported “chronic ankle instability” by assigning them to wear foot orthoses every day for four weeks. Results were promising according to trials that were administered before and after the four-week orthoses period. ACL prevention program are shown to benefit young athletes by training them before their risk of injury is at its prime. According to a study conducted at the National Athletic Trainer’s Association, installing specific training methods for proper jumping and landing techniques at an early age may help prevent young athletes from enduring an injury later on in their athletic careers. Contrary to popular belief, shoe insoles do not help to treat or prevent back pain. Though they may be used to treat other disorders, such as foot and ankle problems, a multi-faceted study led by Tali Sahar, PhD, showed that insoles do not provide any benefit for those with back problems. One doctor, Paul Hecht, MD, offered that perhaps insoles have been over-prescribed for the wrong conditions without being completely assessed. Musculoskeletal intervention prior to surgery has been shown to help bring those with ACL injuries back to sports in cases where the injury is severe and the subject is not likely to return. Presurgical perturbation training, which challenges patients to maintain their balance on an unstable support surface, has promising results that may change “non-copers” of ACL injuries into “potential copers,” according to preliminary research from the University of Delaware. Neuromuscular training program significantly increases balance levels of female high school basketball players. In a study that administered a twice-a-week balance-improving program for six weeks, results show that the number of errors in balance from the training group decreased largely compared to the control group. The promising outcome will likely lead to other studies focused on injury prevention and balance improvement. Lower back pain notches the #2 position on the list of reasons patients visit their doctors in the country, most of which are subsequently referred to physical therapists. Back pain affects 80% of Americans at some point in their life, the majority being a result of repetitive motion injuries and manual labor that includes heavy lifting. Fortunately, the report shows that a large number of back injury patients recover or see improvement within six weeks of physical therapy, according to Heartland Rehabilitation Outpatient Services. Physical therapist and APTA member Stephanie Bell has joined ESPN.com as an “injury expert” on fantasy football issues. As the obsessive hobby of so many Americans continues to expand in popularity, ESPN.com has brought in Bell, a board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist, to offer her medical opinion by means of a blog that she will regularly update, giving fantasy fans an additional edge in their weekly movements. New treatment explores ways to reduce inflammation in patients recovering from knee injuries, especially meniscus tears, to facilitate healing and prevent osteoarthritis. Inflammation of the knee is a major deterrent in healing from serious knee injuries. Though using pigs in the preliminary stages of study, orthopedic researchers at Duke University Medical Center are testing drugs that will block the action of immune system proteins that trigger joint inflammation, which may lead to an advanced new treatment to prevent osteoarthritis. With football season now in full swing, increases in MCL, ankle and shoulder injuries among the influx players on all levels will confront. Medial collateral ligament (MCL) tears continue to rank as the most prevalent injury, while concussions, spinal cord and neck injuries pose more serious and long-term threats to players on the gridiron. Preventative measures such as wearing a double-hinged knee brace for MCL injuries, upping focus on strength, flexibility and agility training and wearing proper footwear are all measures that can be taken to make an injury-free season more likely. Graston technique emerging on the PT field as an effective treatment of plantar fasciitis. The treatment, which uses stainless steel tools to help clinicians detect and break up fascial restrictions in order to restore soft tissue motion, has been garnering attention as a replacement for generic methods that include stretching, strengthening and arch supports. Area of concentration for preventing ACL injuries moves even further up the body, to the trunk muscles. Strength and conditioning of the trunk muscles as well as more training targeted on making bodily decisions while fatigued are some of the leading measures in a new approach to ACL injury prevention. In a study conducted by investigators from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, male and female soccer and basketball players on the collegiate level were observed landing after a series of jumps, and results pointed towards an injury risk in trunk mechanics. Lumbar stabilization proves to be a beneficial method for those who have suffered back injuries. The system works with a therapist teaching a patient the best ways to develop a neutral back position, one in which the back is in the least amount of pain. Depending largely on patients’ compliance with exercises at home and outside the office, back-sufferers will be taught new ways to contract muscles that will eventually stabilize the spinal column and relieve pain. Backpack precautions: overloaded contents, improper positioning on the back and poor distribution of weight are a few of the potential hazards that can result in hampered movement, imbalanced posture and other musculoskeletal injuries for children. With opening day of school looming near, backpack safety is more important than you may imagine. Especially due to the fact that many children are carrying backpacks incorrectly and with too many books, see how back problems can be avoided with a few simple advisories. Pediatric patients with minor ankle fractures may not require permanent casts after all. Removable braces cause less inconvenience, greater patient satisfaction and the same end result as a fiberglass walking cast. In a study led by Kathy Boutis, an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Toronto, 104 subjects were given either a fiberglass walking cast or an Air-Stirrup ankle brace, which could be removed after five days of comfortable. At the end of the trial, more than half of the ankle-braced reported satisfaction compared to 18% of those who wore casts. New Jersey-based Motorika to conduct research towards creating robotic-assisted therapy products for home use. Mainly geared towards stroke victims and patients with other neurological conditions that require repetitive and intense training, products like the AutoAmbulator will help patients replicate normal walking patterns on a treadmill in the comforts of their home, without the need of a PT by their side. Those who fear back pain wind up causing more back pain in attempting to prevent it. According to a study published in Spine by two Ohio State University researchers, people who have suffered backaches and other problems in the past will twist and bend their backs while performing normal tasks in attempts to prevent more pain. Eventually this leads to a weakening of muscles and a greater risk for further injury. Do you enjoy wearing sandals but don’t wear them as often as you’d like because you develop blisters or feel that your ankles are unsafe while wearing them? A new gel-pad keeps feet stationary while walking or running, provides shock absorption and cushions the foot from blisters that may be incurred from walking unassisted. Vibration training in hotels and spas to become more readily accessible. After an agreement reached between Power Plate North America, a manufacturer of a vibration product, and Advantage Fitness Products (AFP), a significantly increased amount of accessible products will be placed in hotels and spas throughout the country. Studies have shown vibration apparatuses are especially helpful for stroke victims and those recovering from ACL injuries. Garden enthusiasts be aware: gardening activities may cause more harm to the lower back area than you may expect. According to Paula Kramer, chairwoman of occupational therapy at University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, the constant stretching, lifting and bending involved with gardening can be potentially damaging to individuals with back problems. Eccentric resistance training proven to help rehabilitate victims of ACL injuries by strengthening relevant muscles. Used in combination with a standard rehabilitation program, eccentric resistance exercise on a recumbent ergometer is proven to be additionally affective to those recovering from ACL injuries, according to a study performed by the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery. Are you driving long distances in your daily commute to work? Sitting with proper posture may be much more important than you might think, as incorrect posture can easily lead to lower back pain and potential problems. At least 10 million commute to work every day, with the average commute being roughly 25 minutes. Read about how important proper posture is for anyone who commutes or drives long distances regularly. Lateral wedge insoles show positive results in assisting gait for those with early and mild cases of osteoarthritis of the knee. Results from a study in Japan prove that stride width increased significantly in the gait of patients with mild OA knee. Unfortunately, the more severe the case of osteoarthritis of the knee is, the less helpful the insoles are. A research study group conducts studies to investigate neuron-muscle fiber relation in the elderly to determine exactly why falls occur. The National Institute of Health is sponsoring a study by a University of Delaware researcher that will examine exactly how long it takes for message signals to travel from neurons to muscle fibers in elder subjects. The ultimate goal of the study is to devise a way to improve movement quality in older adults and decrease their numbers in falls. Risk of developing osteoarthritis of the knee from regular activity and exercise is disproved. Couch potatoes who have claimed walking too much might cause them to develop osteoarthritis of the knee can no longer use that excuse for staying sedentary and indoors. Contrary to former speculation, a daily dose of average physical activity, mainly walking, does not prove to have any relation to the development of osteoarthritis of the knee, according to a study conducted by the Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Valgus knee brace may reduce osteoarthritis knee pain and improve function. A new knee brace, developed by the Meander Medical Center in the Netherlands, is presently going through tests that show a significant decrease in pain and a lowered peak varus movement about the knee. Gymnastics injuries may be accredited towards improper spring use on certain floors. After three separate gymnasts from three separate countries suffered the same injury at the 2003 World Championships, the International Gymnastics Federation made investigations into the composite of each floor used for competition. Results showed that certain floors with too much spring may contribute to injury. ACL injuries have permanent affects on NFL players’ performance. Injuries to the ACL, the most oft-occurring injury for wide receivers and running backs in the NFL, are shown to have an affect on players that they are never able to fully recover from or return to 100% of game play. First-time patients with grade I or II ankle sprains return to pre-injury function quicker with the use of two devices’ combined treatment: the Air-Stirrup ankle brace and elastic wrap. The use of the two treatments in conjunction with each other proved to be nearly twice as effective as the use of just one of the products, according to an American Journal of Sports Medicine study. Study to be conducted to determine if stimulation to the outer surface of the brain while administering therapy can help a stroke patient recover certain areas of their body. The University of Pennsylvania is currently looking for patients to participate in the Everest study, which will implant an electrical device that will stimulate the cerebral cortex while physical therapy is being given to damaged areas of the patient’s body. Exercise and strengthening of upper-body before and throughout menopause shown to decrease possibility of musculoskeletal problems for women. While the exact reason for such a high number of musculoskeletal injuries for post-menopausal women still eludes physicians and therapists, movements are being made to avoid them regardless. Burning or itching sensation in your palm, thumb and/or first two fingers? You may be developing carpal tunnel syndrome. Learn how to avoid this debilitating problem that many who spend hours typing are at risk of obtaining. New device to alleviate back pain by “aligning the spine” said to significantly reduce moderate-to-mild back pain. The Advanced Spinal Mobilization Instrument pushes on each vertebra using similar techniques to that of a Physical Therapist, only without their expending of so much energy. Researchers link muscle-replacing fatty tissue to whiplash injuries. According to a study conducted on females with persistent whiplash-associated disorders, most cases involve extensor muscles of the neck begin replaced by fatty tissue after neck injuries. Studying the amount of these fatty tissues may help in determining if someone has undergone a significant whiplash injury. Pilates used to help autistic children with gait/balance deficiencies that arise from altered nervous system sensitivity. See how one Physical Therapist has incorporated Pilates use into treatment of children with autism and other developmental disorders by increasing body awareness, concentration and improving movement habits. Could kids overindulging in their brand new XBOX 360 or PlayStation3 be at risk not only of damaging their eye sight, but their hands and wrists as well? According to some medical experts, Yes. With video games growing ever-present once again, see the precautions your children should take to avoid the repetitive stress injury known as “Video Gamer’s Thumb,” an actual diagnosis many “gamers” may easily develop by playing too long and without stretching. Physical Therapists prove themselves as effective in reducing pain as medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen. While pain medications may relieve pain more immediately, they do not improve the ailment causing the pain. See how PTs work towards identifying and eliminating the pain-causing problem rather than chemically relieve it temporarily with medications. Strong quadriceps proven to actually prevent osteoarthritis of the knee. Contrary to the belief that strong quadriceps were detrimental to OA of the knee, a new research study shows that the strengthened muscles will have a favorable chance of helping those with the diagnosis. Parkinsonian gait a result of neural damage to the sensorimotor feedback loop. Study involving patients with Parkinsonian gait attempts to determine the factors involved in developing a safer gait, which will lead to further prevention of falls for Parkinson’s disease patients. Dietary supplements such as chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine found to have limited effectiveness in relieving osteoarthritis of the knee. Click here for more info. Study involving patients with lumbar spinal stenosis reports significant improvement with Physical Therapy treatments. Read about the first randomized clinical trial for patients with LSS and the overwhelmingly positive feedback being received from patients who have been treated by Physical Therapists. Thumbs aching? Having trouble composing text messages or e-mails on your Blackberry? Not sure what the cause of this mysterious ailment could be? You may have what’s becoming known as “Blackberry Thumb." This emerging diagnosis is receiving much feedback from many in the business world who are overusing these “super-convenient” devices. Basic precautions and actions such as exercising more often, not smoking and eating healthier can help avoid the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Number of those diagnosed with type 2 diabetes continues to grow, but by following a plan set out by a Physical Therapist that involves exercising regularly, eating healthier, not smoking and ultimately, keeping weight down. An uncommon exercise known as the “Nordic hamstring protocol” increases strength in hamstrings and is proven to reduce injuries for soccer/rugby athletes. See how this uncommon hamstring strengthener is used by more athletic squads throughout Europe in hopes of lowering the rate of injury to that area. New shoes designed to simulate barefoot walking help prevent heel pain and plantar fasciitis. Masai Barefoot shoes have been modeled after the African Masai tribe, who walk barefoot and have been observed to suffer from almost no back or joint pain, and are now being studied to test their effectiveness with some promising initial results. See how exercise can reduce the chance of sustaining a fall in the elderly Seniors in New Zealand show reduced rate of falls after participating in a programs of muscle strengthening exercise and Tai Chi. Exercise equals better academic performance among middle schoolers Those who participated in vigorous after school sports or activities fared better than their sedentary counterparts.

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