Blog

What happens after the joint replacement?  More and more people are undergoing joint replacement surgery in order to reduce joint pain and improve function. The most common joint replacement procedures are for hip and knee osteoarthritis. So it was interesting to read the results of a recent study that investigated how hip or knee replacement impacts physical activity levels. This study was a systematic reviewArnold JB, Walters JL, Ferrar KE. Does physical activity increase after hip or k...

Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI)  Femoroacetabular impingement is a condition that involves the hip joint. The hip joint is a ball and socket joint that is comprised of the round-shaped head of the femur (thigh bone) and the cup shaped acetabulum of the pelvis. Normally, the head of the femur glides smoothly within the socket during hip movements. Sometimes, the shape of the femur or acetabulum is irregular, which causes abnormal contact or impingement of these structures during hip move...

Benefits of Cold Therapy  It is the time of year when people tend to me more physically active – which is a very good thing of course. This increased activity level, however, also can lead to a greater susceptibility to injury. And one of the most common treatments for acute injury is cold therapy, or cryotherapy. So how does cold therapy work? The application of a cold pack or ice to injuries such as ligament sprains, muscle strains, tendonitis, or bruises creates local physiologic...

Physical Therapy Underused in the Management of Knee Osteoarthritis  It has been recently reported that physical therapy is underused in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA) in the military. This report was based upon military data on 130,000 men and women. Instead, people in the military who were diagnosed with knee OA were much more likely to receive an injection rather than being referred to a physical therapist. This is just one of many examples of health care that is out of step...

My Spine Hurts…Do I Need an MRI?  Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a widely used diagnostic test for a variety of health problems. It utilizes electromagnetic energy to produce images of body tissues and organs that provide a level of detail not found with other standard imaging tests. Because it does not involve the use of ionizing radiation, it does not carry the same risk as x-ray and CT scans. Its use in diagnosing low back and neck pain has grown substantially over the past ...