Orthopaedic Physical Therapy

Orthopaedic physical therapy is the delivery of care for individuals with disorders or dysfunction of the musculoskeletal system. Let one of our highly skilled orthopaedic physical therapists help you today.

What conditions can be managed by Orthopaedic Physical Therapy?

Orthopedic physical therapists are skilled in the diagnosis, management, and prevention of musculoskeletal disorders. They are experts in the assessment of movement and movement dysfunctions.

The following health conditions are often managed by the skilled orthopedic physical therapists at SporTherapy:

• Low back and neck pain (Degenerative Disc Disease, Stenosis)
• Rotator cuff injuries and other shoulder pathologies
• Hip Pain, Labral Pathology
• SI Joint Dysfunctions
• Osteoarthritis/Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Plantar fasciitis, Heel pain
• Post-operative rehabilitation from orthopedic surgical procedures
• Muscle strains, Trigger Points
• Headaches, Jaw Pain
• Joint sprains/pain/swelling, including knee and ankle injuries
• Chronic pain, Fibromyalgia
• Tennis/golfer’s elbow
• Carpal and Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

What does it mean to be Board Certified in Orthopaedics, or an OCS?

SporTherapy has therapists that are APTA-board certified Orthopaedic Certified Specialists or studying to take the exam in 2018. To be a Board Certified Physical Therapist through the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), a physical therapist has taken on an additional 2 years of post-grad curriculum to become the expert in the field of orthopedics.

The advanced clinical knowledge and skill set that comes with a Board Certification allows physical therapists to better treat the patients in their specialty and keeps them up-to-date with cutting edge research and technology. The OCS certification focuses on evidence-based practice, orthopedic injury examination, treatment, and medical interventions. Only 3.9% of therapists in the United States are Orthopaedic Clinical Specialists. We also specialize in manual physical therapy, which is an integral component of orthopaedic care.

In order to become Board Certified, PTs must meet the following minimum eligibility requirements to sit for the specialist certification examinations:

• Current licensure to practice physical therapy in the United States, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands; and
• Evidence of a minimum of 2,000 hours of direct patient care in the specialty area, 25% of which must have occurred within the last 3 years.

Additional specific requirements are required by each specialty area. PTs must pass the specialist certification examination and be recognized by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties to use the designator.