Orthopedic Physical Assessment and Physical Therapy Essay

I am excited about the opportunity to attend the University of Vermont Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. As a Sports Science major and student athlete in cross country skiing and running, I have gained significant experience with human motion analysis and am extremely interested in the Human Performance Center at the University of Vermont. Additionally, I am impressed by the emphasis on integrating research findings to improve clinical care of patients.

OrthoOklahoma is an orthopedic medical clinic with a physical therapy branch that provides outpatient physical therapy care. The facility has a staff of three licensed physical therapists and a physical therapy assistant along with four physical therapy techs. I was able to observe all three physical therapists, Megan Ripley, Joe Ogle and Ken Roberts. At OrthoOklahoma, the most common patients are post-surgery from repairs of muscles, bones or joints. While shadowing these therapists, I observed cases of total knee replacement, total hip replacement, ACL/meniscus repair, rotator cuff repair, frozen shoulder, labrum repair, and other ailments from wear-and-tear and aging. This experience allowed me to talk to physical therapists about the ins and outs of their job, learn about different exercises and routines for treatment of injuries, and really get an idea of the work it takes to become a well-respected physical therapist.

Have you ever bent down to pick something up or sprinted after your dog because he got loose? Not many people in today’s society pay attention to their body movement. They often take their body’s ability to move normally for granted. A person’s biomechanics are essential to everyday life, without being able to move properly one cannot perform everyday tasks. Unfortunately, there are people who are not able to do so and face many hardships in their life and may be in a lot of pain. Therefore, these people seek professional assistance to help them regain their ability to function normally. Usually, they end up in the care of a physical therapist and his assistant. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, physical therapist assistants

A physical therapist assistant plays a very important role by providing treatments to patients, under the direction and supervision of a physical therapist. They use physical therapy treatment procedures to help improve the mobility and relieve pain and disability caused by disease or injury. Some examples of the patients that call for a physical therapist to assist them include accident victims and persons with disabling conditions, such as, lower back pain, arthritis, heart disease, fractures, head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and cerebral palsy.

My first Physical therapy observation experience was at TIRR Memorial Hermann in the Texas Medical Center. The therapy done here were for inpatients who went through a brain or spinal cord injury. On my first day I did not know what I was going in for. I only thought that PT was about orthopedic rehabilitation but in reality there is therapy for everything.

Finding the career of my dreams or as some would put it “my calling” has been a rather difficult task. It is always hopeful that someone would discover what they are called to do in their younger years (elementary-high school) so they have plenty of time for planning out there career map but then there are those who are pulled in different directions…like myself. When I started my college career in 2007, I just did what seemed to be the norm. To make a long story short, I started as a nursing major and ended up graduating 5 years later with two totally different degrees, a Child Life degree as well as a Family and Community Services degree with a concentration in early intervention. In this economy, finding a job with two fairly non-specific

While there may be many experiences and attributes that I possess that will be a catalyst in my success as a physical therapist there are three that I feel have thoroughly prepared me for the physical therapy profession. First is the attribute of empathy. I feel that I am empathetic as a result of growing up with an older brother who has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair. I can definitively say that growing up with a sibling who has a disability has shaped me into the person that I am today and has allowed me to develop skills in ways that others may not have been exposed to. This experience will be valuable because when patients are receiving physical therapy, they may feel alone and frustrated with themselves. It is important for myself,

Overall, Dr. Scharf’s report is quite concise. He documented the applicant’s current complaint as neck pain, radiating pain to both arms, and occasional headaches, as

1. This observation was between the Physical Therapist (PT), Katie a 15-month-old girl, and her mother. Katie does not have a specific diagnosis but she has significant motor delays for her age. According to the PT and Katie’s mother she has just started walking by holding on to things. This observation took place in the gym, the benches were set up like a bridge and toys were put on top for her to play with. The PT sat behind Katie on one side of the bridge and Katie’s mom on the other side. Katie pulled herself up to reach the toys. The PT would move toys along the bridge to motivate her to move sideways. During this time the PT and Katie’s mother were taking about the progress she has made since she first started. Katie’s mother stated that at home Katie will stand by herself for a few seconds but then realizes it and she falls down. Katie’s mom also stated that she believed Katie does not have the confidence in herself to stand and walk on her own. The mother also reported that she always encourages her to stand and walk when they are at home. The rest of the session consisted of Katie practicing walking side-to-side and transitioning from the floor up to the bridge.

Have you ever gotten hurt before and had to visit a specialist to get you back on your feet? Well, I have. As a dancer, it is a known fact someone you know is going to get hurt at some point in their career. It is important as dancers to understand what our options are. Dancers should see specialist for many different reasons and at different points of their injuries as well, which it is why it is important to understand what specialist do what.

Carey reported that she experienced occasional numbness of the upper extremities and that she would occasionally drop objects from both hands. Upon physical examination, Dr. Abiera noted that Ms. Carey’s range of motion of the cervical spine was decreased on flexion and tenderness on palpation of posterior cervical muscles with spasms and trigger points was present. In addition, Dr. Abiera noted that the range of motion of lumbar spine was within normal range, however there was still some tenderness on palpation of thoracic paraspinals muscles.

- Examine the patient for other injuries, such as a neck injury that may have occurred as a result of the backward motion of the neck

Radiculopathy must be documented by physical examination and corroborated by imaging studies and/or electrodiagnostic testing. In addition, no more than two nerve root levels should be injected using transforaminal blocks, and no more than one interlaminar level should be injected at one session. The patient is s/p C5-C7 anterior

It has exhibited red flags that warranted me to evaluate further and seek referral. Though it is not frequent. I am always on my toes on the lookout for anything that I find suspicious in the pathological presentation during my initial touch point with the patient. Red flags can be determined and brought to light during history and physical examination, such as patient demographics, social and health habits, medical/surgical history, medications, family history, systems review, and review of systems, physical therapists have the examination data necessary to identify the need for medical referral (Ross and Boissonnault, 2010, p. 682). A detailed history assessment preceding trauma and cervical spine tenderness with notable limitation of motion prompt consideration for immediate immobilization, referral to a specialist, and further investigation utilizing diagnostic imaging. Red flags can be used as a tool to verify the diagnosis during evaluation. However, there are times that during initial imaging, patient doesn’t exhibit any signs of red flags. That is why it is therapist responsibility to take note of all the possible symptoms that might need urgent investigation to prevent further

In 1998, the Massachusetts General Orthopedic Associates (MGOA), a specialized unit within Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), hired Dr. Harry Rubash and Dr. James Herndon, respectively, to help to remedy the annual financial deficits, which were “financed” by dipping into endowment and borrowings from MGH. These financial deficits have been continually getting into MGOA’s mission of providing high-quality patient care, research, and teaching (Barro 3). In the immediate months after accepting their positions of leadership, both Rubash and Herndon steered the hospital into the green turning a modest profit. However, it was clear that their new initiatives wouldn’t be viable for the long term. To do so, Rubash and Herndon proposed a new physician compensation plan. This plan included a development fund tax, a bonus, in addition to periodic adjustments to a base salary based on individual physician performance in regards to how profitable the physician was for MGOA. Initial physicians’ reaction to the proposed plan varied, however, if the case study was an indication, Rubash and Herndon were determined to implement their plan.