PT Good Podcast

Radicular symptoms can present in many different ways depending on the patient. The quality of pain can be variable as well as the location. Symptoms can be present infrequently or constantly. These symptoms can also have variable responses to movements or positions. Some cases may have a straightforward presentation, but their symptomatic response to movement can be difficult to interpret. In thi...

ACL reconstructions are among the most common orthopedic surgeries performed worldwide. Despite how frequently it is performed, it may not be necessary in some groups of people. In those who do opt for reconstructive surgery the results are varied. On this episode of the PT Good Podcast we discuss how to help your patient determine if ACL reconstruction is the correct choice for them. We discuss c...

As physical therapists we all know that for any condition a multimodal approach is better than using a single treatment method. We've heard it in school, have read it in CPGs, and new research is published every year studying this topic. But, why does it work? There are probably multiple mechanisms at play. The pain experience is multifactorial and a multimodal approach will happen to address...

The shoulder can be a difficult body part to master treating. Before treating the shoulder, it must be assessed and evaluated. With over 30 special tests it can seem impossible to figure out what the problem is. But do these tests even matter? A simple movement and strength assessment is typically all that is necessary when evaluating a patient with shoulder pain. Screening for red flags, screenin...

Burnout is a common experience in outpatient orthopedic clinics. Many PTs who experience burnout continue to work without any passion or drive and some end up leaving the profession. Many factors contribute to burnout, the three most important being finances, clinic culture/productivity, and professional development. Join Kane and Mark on today's episode of the PT Good Podcast where they discu...

How do you know where to start when initiating and exercise program for somebody with lower extremity tendinopathy? What exercise do you start with? What amount of load, sets, and repetitions are necessary? How do you manage tendon reactivity? How do you know when and how much to progress a patient's program? Join Kane and Mark on today's episode of the PT Good Podcast where they continue...

The first step in the journey of a physical therapist is choosing a school. Today's discussion starts in the undergraduate program. What should I major in and what classes should I take? The next step is applying to and getting accepted into PT school. Many factors play into this such as finances, location, and faculty. Program structure and length are some other options to consider. Is a hybrid p...

Lateral ankle sprains are among some of the most common lower extremity injuries. Though they are common, some presentations can be tricky. Chronic swelling, instability, and weightbearing pain can all complicate management. Join Kane and Mark on today's episode of the PT Good Podcast where they discuss management of lateral ankle sprains. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podca...

Lower extremity tendinopathies can be tricky to identify and even more difficult to manage appropriately. The current standard of care in PT clinics is typically not in line with best available evidence for tendinopathy management. In today's episode of the PT Good Podcast, Kane and Mark begin their discussion on lower extremity tendinopathy. They discuss topics such as appropriate exercise in...

Thoracic spine pain is a common presentation in physical therapy. When a patient has pain in this area, how do you know if it is truly related to the thoracic spine or if it is cervical spine referral? How do you know if there is rib involvement or visceral referral? What treatments are effective for thoracic spine pain? Join us on today's episode of the PT Good Podcast to learn about these to...

Did you know that the most common symptom associated with migraines is cervical spine pain? Orthopedic physical therapists play a pivotal role in the management of headaches. Due to the overlap of headache and migraine symptoms and cervical spine pain, we feel that any patient who has these symptoms deserves a thorough mechanical assessment. If a mechanical component is identified, it must be mana...

Outpatient orthopedic PTs have developed a unique identity over time. We have gained autonomy through direct access and in some cases have become first contact providers. We have gained knowledge in medical assessments and differential diagnosis, allowing us to appropriately triage and treat patients of varying presentations. On today's episode of the PT Good Podcast, Kane and Mark discuss the...

All physical therapists have gone to PT School and we all understand that the primary purpose of PT school is to prepare prospective PTs to pass their board exam. While this is certainly important, many PTs are entering the field feeling unprepared. Program length is becoming shorter, class sizes are becoming larger, and boards pass rates are declining. This is a worrying trend that is not in the...

Many radiculopathies improve without intervention, many improve with physical therapy, and some do not improve at all. On today's episode of the PT Good Podcast, we discuss management of radicular symptoms that are not affected by movement. This presentation can be difficult to manage as our most effective tool, movement, is not causing a lasting symptomatic response. So, what do we do next? A...

Welcome back to the PT Good Podcast! Today we continue our talk on cervical radiculopathy. We discuss the proposed utility of diagnosing cervical radiculopathy using tools such as the Wainner cluster. We also discuss common treatment methods such as MDT (obviously the best), motor control, mobility, and nerve glides. Many treatments are utilized, but are we as PTs really addressing relevant impair...

On today's episode of the PT Good Podcast, Kane and Mark discuss cervical radiculopathy. They discuss common presentations, the variability in these presentations, and commonly misdiagnosed conditions with overlapping features of cervical radiculopathy. Most importantly, they discuss fully exhausting the cervical and thoracic spines when evaluating patients with upper extremity pain. Disclaimer: T...

Welcome back to the PT Good Podcast. All great clinicians have made mistakes in their professional careers. Kane and Mark are no different, except they aren't great clinicians. Learning from these mistakes is an important part of development. In this episode, Kane and Mark discuss mistakes they made early in their career and what they would focus on if they were to start over. Tips for Clinici...

Lumbar radiculopathy is variable. Symptoms can present in different locations and can be of different qualities. Sometimes, movements or exercises that benefit one person may make another person worse. On today's episode of the PT Good Podcast, Kane and Mark discuss different clinical presentations of lumbar radiculopathy and how each of them are managed. Disclaimer: The views and opinions express...

Radiculopathy! Perhaps the most common presentation in orthopedic PT clinics is people with radicular pain, but what makes it a radiculopathy? Does the assessment or management change if you are dealing with radicular pain, radiculopathy, or both? Kane and Mark discuss these topics and more in regard to radiculopathy on today's episode of the PT Good Podcast! Disclaimer: The views and opinions exp...

The rate of lower extremity joint replacements has steadily increased over time. More and more people with arthritis related knee pain are offered a joint replacement quicker and at younger ages. The quiet knee protocol was recently developed by surgeons at The Hospital for Special Surgery as an alternative to 'standard' rehab. In today's episode of the PT Good Podcast, Kane and Mark dive into the...

Hello, and welcome back to the PT Good Podcast! On today's episode, Kane and Mark discuss running training and preparing clients to run. Beginner to intermediate programing, cross training, and load and volume management are all discussed in this episode, as well as many other topics. If you work with runners or are interested in starting running, this episode is for you! Disclaimer: The views and...

Welcome to the PT Good Podcast! Today's episode marks our first in our series on treating runners and running related injuries. We discuss common injuries, how they're addressed, and fundamentals in running rehab. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are our personal beliefs and do not reflect those of our employers or any other professional organizations.

What is Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy, also known as 'McKenzie'? Is it a treatment method, assessment tool, or both? Is it just extension? Why does simply bending backwards help some people, but not others? Join Kane and Mark on today's episode of the PT Good Podcast as they discuss MDT and how it has influenced their practice as physical therapists. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed...

Directional preference is a commonly known term and observed phenomenon for most physical therapists. Despite this, the use of directional preference in spine care may not be optimal. In today's episode of the PT Good Podcast, Kane and Mark discuss using directional preference as an impairment to be treated. They discuss placing it at the top of your hierarchy impairments, and exhausting direction...

Today we discuss directional preference, arguably the most important treatment classification. Kane and Mark discuss their thoughts on directional preference being an impairment that much be addressed, similar to reduced range of motion or strength. They each give their own opinions on how they address directional preferences and key aspects of the subjective and objective exam that may signify th...