Ortho Eval Pal: Optimizing Orthopedic Evaluations and Management Skills

Send a text You've all been asked this question..."What is the best piece of exercise equipment I should buy for my home?" In today's show I talk about what kind of equipment is best to buy and how to fit the equipment to the patient. The most important part here is that the patient is compliant with using the equipment and that it doesn't just become a coat rack and dust...

Send a text I love to do manual and mechanical cervical traction. It is one of those techniques that not only offers immediate relief but can be very helpful when diagnosing a cervical issue vs. a shoulder issue. Here are 3 videos for you that can help guide you in your journey to helping patients with cervical issues. Marquis Maneuver Video Manual Cervical Traction Mechanical Cervical Traction Mo...

Send a text Episode 100! I can't believe it. Today I give a shout out to all the people who have been instrumental in making Ortho Eval Pal happen and I talk about what we have accomplished with Ortho Eval Pal and what our next 100 episodes will look like. Moving forward, I'd like to add a section to the show where I answer your questions about all things ortho. Send me your questions to...

Send a text There has been a lot of research regarding the use of back braces and I've seen back braces used for many years but, there is a steady decline in the use of back braces and today I help to explain why. In this episode I will talk about: 1. Why a patient needs a back brace. 2. When back braces are most indicated. 3. What we are doing with patients if we are not bracing them. 4. Dia...

Send a text @OrthoEvalPal we have a fully loaded podcast show today talking about ergonomics for people who sit a lot at work.  Going to not get too technical here. I want to bring out a few pointers about ergonomic evaluations and how small workstation changes can make a huge difference in how a person feels while at work.  I will mention the following: 1. Influencing your patient more than 1 hou...

Send a text @OrthoEvalPal I talk about how Hallux Rigidus is a very common foot issue that limits a person's function and ability to walk, run and do many other weight bearing activities. Today I chat about causes of hallux rigid, how I evaluate it and some of the conservative measures your can take when treating it. Here is my video playlist about foot pain: FOOT VIDS Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to...

Send a text Let's talk Femoral Acetabular Impingement! Today I will help answer the following: 1. What are the common signs and symptoms? 2. What is the Sign of the Buttock? 3. What is the FADIR test? 4. How do you treat FAI? Here are a couple videos to compliment today's podcast: FADIR test: Sign of the Buttock Hip Evaluation Webinar Support the show Thanks for listening! If you like ou...

Send a text Burnout is quite real and can affect most anyone. This can happen in any profession and when it hits you, can vary.  Today I chat a bit about how I have dealt with PT burnout and have a few tips that I used that hopefully can help you/ Enjoy! Haven't been to our Youtube Channel yet? Check it out to see real patients with real diagnoses, "how to" videos, evaluation techni...

Send a text Kind of a different podcast today... I am teaching you about different types of weakness and what each type means while evaluating your patient. Is it true muscular weakness or is it neurological weakness? Maybe there's a little symptom magnification going on...Let me help you sort it all out. Here is a video of a patient with neurological weakness: https://youtu.be/hXOL7IgOUpg Ha...

Send a text This is a bit long but I think will be interesting and fruitful regarding lower extremity bracing. Here are some of the topics I'll be covering today: 1. Indications for bracing 2. Considerations, precautions and contraindications 3. Foot and ankle bracing 4. Knee bracing 5. Bracing for immobilization, protection and correction 6. The importance of compression sleeves 7. "Who...

Send a text In Episode 92- Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome: What it is, how to evaluate it and Paul's thoughts about treatment, I will discuss the anatomy contained in the Tarsal Tunnel, sources of irritation and what the signs and symptoms are. Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome can look like plantar fasciitis, a herniated disc and a few other things. I'll review the Tinel's sign and which nerves that...

Send a text We have all performed a Tinel's sign on a patient. Did you know that there are multiple areas you can perform this special test? In this episode I talk about how to perform it and what it means when you have a positive sign and what the symptoms are. Below are a few areas I will discuss today:   -Carpal Tunnel -Cubital Tunnel -Guyon's Canal -Tarsal Tunnel -Common Peroneal Ner...

Send a text http://eepurl.com/c4Y5df Don't miss these 3 Most common signs of hip arthritis. Hip arthritis can cause: -Groin pain. -Difficulty reaching your feet. -Loss of hip flexion and internal rotation. Don't forget to take into consideration the patient's age, loss of hip extension when walking and the difficulty taking off after getting up and standing after sitting for a while...

Send a text I have for you today some concepts and bits of advice to be aware of when treating patients who have had rotator cuff surgery. Here's a sneek peek: -Get the operative report. -Know your anatomy. -Understand what "stresses" the repair. -and more!! Be sure to check out my shoulder playlist: SHOULDER VIDEOS PLAYLIST Here is my "How to" video playlist: HOW TO VIDEO...

Send a text Not everyone has a Plantaris Muscle, but for those who do and tear it, there are a few things you should know about it. Only 1-2% of Plantaris muscles rupture alone. Most occur in conjunction to a medial gastrocnemius tear. Many people misdiagnose these as an achilles rupture. They are very easy to treat conservatively and often times no need for expensive diagnostic imaging. Today I&a...

Send a text We all seem to think that achilles tendon ruptures are easy to identify, but that is not always the case. In Episode 88-How to Evaluate and Treat Achilles Tendon Ruptures I talk about the common signs and symptoms of Achilles Tendon Ruptures, how I like to evaluate them and what to do with them when you see them. Here are a few links to compliment this podcast episode: How to Perform a...

Send a text Today I bring to you Episode 87-How to Assess a Leg Length Discrepancy. I give you for FREE, my opinion about how to best measure and fix a Leg Length Discrepancy. This measurement does NOT have to be perfect. Taking the measurement in standing can have more carryover into functional ADL's. #LegLengthDiscrepancy#OrthoEvalPal Check out my brief demo of how to assess a Leg Length Di...

Send a text Today we talk about how to treat hip osteoarthritis from a conservative approach with therapy to the last resort, surgery. Let's discuss the following: 1. Exercises to avoid. 2. Exercises to emphasize. 3. Modifications to your exercise routine. 4. Intra-articular injections. 5. Surgery. I'm having trouble with my new website. Episode 85 is called "3 Most Common Signs of...

Send a text Episode 84 How to study Musculo-Skeletal Anatomy Better! Anatomy is the basis of the medical world. You need to know anatomy before moving forward with medical studies. There are many great ways to study anatomy but in today’s episode I talk about what has worked well for me and tidbits of info that should help… The post Episode 84 How to study Musculo-Skeletal Anatomy Better! appeared...

Send a text Episode 83- 3 Things Medical Providers MUST DO!! Okay everyone, here is where I let loose a bit. Don’t take offense to this but if you want to be good at what you do in ANY profession, you should do at least these 3 things: Listen to your patients. They can often diagnose by what… The post Episode 83- 3 Things Medical Providers MUST DO!! appeared first on Ortho Eval Pal . Support the s...

Send a text Episode 82 – Proper Sling Use. Tips to make your patient more comfortable. Proper sling use is super important! Proper sling fittings are even more important! Here is why: Arm position must be appropriate according to the diagnosis. The Gleno-humeral joint (shoulder ball and socket) need to be brought together. The rotator cuff is more… The post Episode 82 – Proper Sling Use. Tips to m...

Send a text Episode 81-Radial Tunnel Syndrome: Don’t mistake it for Tennis Elbow! Today I will talk to you about Radial Tunnel Syndrome. This is commonly missed since tennis elbow is so much more common. In this episode I will talk to you about the following:   Common signs and symptoms. Evaluative techniques The use of selective tissue… The post Episode 81- Radial Tunnel Syndrome appeared first o...

Send a text Episode 80- How to use a Functional Squat to evaluate your patient. In today’s episode I talk about how I use the Functional Squat to evaluate many of my patients with lower extremity injuries. I’ll be discussing the following: How to set up the patient for the squat. What to observe while a patient is… The post Episode 80- How to use a Functional Squat to evaluate your patient. appear...

Send a text Episode 79-Dupuytren’s Contractures Today let’s talk about what a Dupuytren’s Contracture is, who is at higher risk of getting it and how   it can affect your shoulder patients. Let’s also talk about how to treat it. In today’s episode I will discuss the following: Collagen deposition. The progression of Dupuytren’s. Early management. High incidence… The post Episode 79-Dupuytren’s Con...

Send a text Today I will be talking about the following: What is De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis? What causes De Quervain’s? How to evaluate it? Finkelstein’s test. Other causes of radial sided wrist pain. How to treat it conservatively and what to do if that fails and much more Here is a video of how to perform the Finkelstein’s… The post Episode 78- De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis appeared first on Orth...