TOPIC

Orthopaedic research

Everything we have read on orthopaedic. Each paper is summarised from the full article rather than its abstract, so the limitations are in there too, and the funding wherever the paper declares it.

2,015 PAPERS · PAGE 28 OF 41 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTNarrative Review2024Management of High Ankle Sprains Utilizing the Tightrope Surgical Procedure - A Novel Approach for a Rapid Return to Play.International journal of sports physical therapyThis paper proposes an accelerated rehabilitation protocol for athletes after TightRope surgery for high ankle sprains, progressing from partial weight-bearing on day 4 to return-to-sport testing by week 6. It is a theoretical framework, not evidence that this timeline works.
• PTNarrative Review2024The Utilization of Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in the Evaluation of Gluteus Medius Tendon Pathology: A Perspective for Rehabilitation Providers.International journal of sports physical therapyUltrasound is described as a possible adjunct for gluteus medius tendon pathology, but the paper reports no original methods or results to act on.
• PTCohort2024Static posture weightbearing joint angle differences in patients with varus ankle osteoarthritis.Gait & postureWeightbearing CT found different static joint angles in varus ankle osteoarthritis. Compensated ankles had more inverted subtalar joints than non-compensated and healthy ankles, and midtarsal angles differed from healthy ankles. No rotation-angle differences were found. These are alignment differences, not evidence that treatment works.
• PTCase Report2024Cryoneurolysis for the Treatment of Knee Arthritis to Facilitate Inpatient Rehabilitation: A Case Report.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationLess knee pain and faster walking were reported after cryoneurolysis, but she was also receiving rehabilitation, bracing, ankle weights, and earlier IVIG, prednisone, and dexamethasone, so no effect can be attributed.
• PTOTOther2024Effect of age on ankle biomechanics and tibial compression during stair descent.Gait & postureOlder adults showed lower peak tibial compression than young adults during stair descent, but similar total load over time. Ankle stiffness did not predict compression. The older group’s reduced ankle strength likely limits their ability to absorb impact forces, potentially increasing fracture risk despite lower peak loads.
• PTCohort2024Pre- and Post-Operative Pain Intensity and Physical Activity Levels in Individuals with Acetabular Dysplasia Undergoing Periacetabular Osteotomy: A Prospective Cohort Study.International journal of sports physical therapyPain improved in 23 people after hip arthroscopy, periacetabular osteotomy, and standardized rehabilitation. Pain was better by one month and continued to six months. Device-measured and self-reported activity levels were not different by six months.
• PTPilot2024Reliability of Spatiotemporal Characteristics During Single-Legged Hop and Bilateral Drop Jump Tasks Using an Instrumented Pressure Walkway.International journal of sports physical therapyA portable pressure walkway reliably measured flight and stance times during single and triple hops, with good to excellent consistency across two test sessions. It also accurately tracked 6-meter hop times and drop jump heights compared to standard lab equipment.
• PTCohort2024Postural Control During Single-Leg Landing in Female Athletes After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.International journal of sports physical therapyFemale athletes over a year post-ACL reconstruction showed similar muscle timing and joint angles to healthy controls during single-leg landing. However, they generated significantly higher hip external rotation moments in the compensatory phase, suggesting a specific postural strategy.
• PTOTNarrative Review2024Heat therapy for different knee diseases: expert opinion.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesHeat therapy may help knee pain in chronic or subacute phases but is contraindicated when joints are swollen or inflamed. The paper relies on expert opinion rather than new clinical trials to guide when to use heat versus cold for specific knee conditions.
• PTOTCase Report2024Effects of Low-Load Blood Flow Restriction Training on Rotator Cuff Strength and Hypertrophy: Case Series.International journal of sports physical therapyLow-load blood flow restriction training increased rotator cuff muscle size on the treated arm, but strength gains were similar on both arms. The study cannot show that the cuff added benefit over exercise alone.
• PTCohort2024Changes in isometric mid-thigh pull peak force and symmetry across anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction rehabilitation phases.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesThe isometric mid-thigh pull test failed to reliably distinguish injured from uninjured limbs during ACL reconstruction rehabilitation. While peak force improved over time, the injured limb was not consistently weaker than the healthy one, limiting the test's usefulness as a standalone clearance criterion.
• PTCase Report2024Rehabilitation Following ACL Repair with Internal Brace Ligament Augmentation in Female Gymnast: A Resident's Case Report.International journal of sports physical therapyA 16-year-old gymnast returned to competition six months after ACL repair with internal bracing and a multi-component staged physical therapy program. Her knee function score rose from 60.92 to 96.6 on a 0 to 100 scale. One case cannot prove this works.
• PTOther2024Pain Neuroscience Education for Acute Pain.International journal of sports physical therapyNo outcomes are reported. This invited commentary describes how pain neuroscience education could be used for acute pain in athletes, including an illustrative case.
• PTOTSLPOther2024Spinal manipulation and mobilisation in paediatrics - an international evidence-based position statement for physiotherapists.The Journal of manual & manipulative therapySpinal manipulation and mobilisation should not be performed on infants or for non-musculoskeletal conditions like asthma or colic. For adolescents with neck or back pain, these techniques may be appropriate if combined with sound clinical reasoning.
• PTNarrative Review2024Use of Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in the Evaluation of Piriformis Syndrome: A Review for Rehabilitation Providers.International journal of sports physical therapyDiagnostic ultrasound can visualize the piriformis muscle and sciatic nerve to help identify entrapment. It offers real-time, dynamic imaging and is more accessible than MRI. This review outlines the technique for rehabilitation providers but does not validate the method's diagnostic accuracy.
• PTOTOther2024Bone health education in individuals with spinal cord injury or disease-the Bare Bones Podcast Series: plan it, produce it, post it!Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesClinicians can direct patients with spinal cord injury to a free podcast series and handouts co-designed with patients. These resources simplify complex bone health guidelines to help patients prepare for appointments and ask about fracture risks.
• PTOTCohort2024Prevalence and characteristics of frailty in older adults in Japan: a cross-sectional study using data from the long-term care insurance system.Journal of physical therapy scienceAmong 393 older adults in Japan needing mild long-term care support, 80.4% were frail. Frailty was linked to age, living in rural areas, and not having orthopedic issues. The type of care service used did not differ between frail and non-frail groups.
• PTPilot2024Preliminary Validity and Acceptability of Motion Tape for Measuring Low Back Movement: Mixed Methods Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesA flexible tape sensor tracked healthy young adults' low back movement well when the skin stretched, but failed during compression and end-range flexion. Users liked its comfort but found the wires and self-application difficult. It is not yet ready for clinical use.
• PTOther2024Impact of direct access on the quality of primary care musculoskeletal physiotherapy: a scoping review from a patient, provider, and societal perspective.Archives of physiotherapyDirect-access physiotherapy for musculoskeletal problems did not clearly improve pain, quality of life, or function compared with GP referral. It was linked to shorter waiting, higher compliance, and less medication, imaging, and cost.
• PTOTRCT2024Effect of electrode attachment location for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for pain relief in lumbar vertebral body fractures.Journal of physical therapy scienceTENS applied to the lumbar region or lower limbs reduced pain during movement for the first two weeks after bed rest began. Placement on the arms had little effect. Pain relief did not improve daily function or reduce fear of pain, and benefits disappeared by week three.
• PTCase Report2024Nonsurgical Management of Adductor-related groin pain with Ultrasound-Guided Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection and Physical Therapy in a Competitive Soccer Player: A Case Report.International journal of sports physical therapyA 17-year-old soccer player with adductor-related groin pain returned to sport at six weeks after an ultrasound-guided injection of platelet-rich plasma with lidocaine and Depo Medrol, plus physical therapy. This is a case report, not proof the injection caused the improvement.
• PTNarrative Review2024Holistic Care for People Living With Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain: The Relevance and Importance of Sexual Function.Physical therapyThis article reviews evidence linking chronic musculoskeletal pain to sexual dysfunction and outlines clinical strategies for screening and referral. It provides guidance on using patient-reported measures and managing referrals but reports no original trial data or intervention outcomes.
• PTNarrative Review2024Utilizing Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound for Assessment of the Infraspinatus Muscle and Tendon: Implications for Rehabilitation Professionals.International journal of sports physical therapyNo patient outcomes or evidence of effectiveness are reported. The article is a narrative review of infraspinatus anatomy and diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound technique.
• PTOther2024Enhancing Return to Alpine Skiing: Integrating Perceptual-Motor-Cognitive Considerations in Testing and Progressions: A Clinical Commentary.International journal of sports physical therapyThis clinical commentary proposes adding visual and cognitive challenges to return-to-snow testing for alpine skiers after ACL reconstruction. It argues that standard strength tests miss neuroplastic deficits that increase re-injury risk. No patients were tested, so no outcomes are reported.
• PTOTSLPCohort2024Use of primary healthcare services before and after specialized rehabilitation and its relation to changes in health and functioning: a longitudinal cohort study.Journal of rehabilitation medicinePatients used more GP and physiotherapy services before specialized rehabilitation, then visits gradually decreased. Those reporting poorer health used services more frequently, but high use did not guarantee better long-term functioning. This reflects service patterns, not treatment effectiveness.
• PTCase Series2024Point of Care Ultrasound Guided Management of Lateral Ankle Sprains: A Case Series.International journal of sports physical therapyReported ankle function and pain scores improved over 24 weeks after ultrasound grading plus a combined care plan. This case series cannot show what caused the gains.
• PTCase Series2024A Pre and Postnatal Physical Therapy Protocol for Recreational Athletes: A Case Series.International journal of sports physical therapyAll six recreational athlete mothers returned to desired running or group fitness without pain, urinary dysfunction, or prolapse and improved function and urinary distress scores after physical therapy visits, a home exercise program, and individualized pelvic floor care.
• PTOTSurvey2024Health equity profile of knee replacement patients in the South African public sector: A descriptive study.The South African journal of physiotherapyOne in three knee replacement patients at a South African public hospital waited over five years. Older patients and those with lower socioeconomic status waited significantly longer. More than half reported severe mobility issues and pain, with many experiencing anxiety and depression.
• PTOTPilot2024Smartwatch-based functional assessment for upper extremity impairment after musculoskeletal injuries: A pilot study.Hong Kong journal of occupational therapy : HKJOTSmartwatch movement data correlated with clinical scores in ten patients with shoulder injuries. Smoothness metrics tracked elbow and forearm function. This suggests wearable sensors could monitor rehab progress, but the tiny sample and single device mean it is not yet a reliable clinical tool.
• PTOther2024Postural analysis and ergonomic intervention of unorganized workers in indian construction sectors.Work (Reading, Mass.)Construction workers showed high posture risk. After a package of ergonomic recommendations for high-risk postures, including sitting closer, using trolleys, and short breaks, posture risk scores were lower.
• PTOTSystematic Review2024Comparison of ultrasound- vs. landmark-guided injections for musculoskeletal pain: an umbrella review.Journal of rehabilitation medicineUltrasound guidance is consistently more accurate than landmark techniques for joint injections. However, this precision rarely translates to better pain relief or function for the shoulder, with most studies showing no significant clinical difference between the two methods.
• PTNarrative Review2024Quadriceps Activation After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: The Early Bird Gets the Worm!International journal of sports physical therapyThis paper reviews the concept of arthrogenic muscle inhibition after ACL reconstruction and discusses various treatment modalities like blood flow restriction and electrical stimulation. It is a clinical perspective summarizing existing ideas, so it presents no new evidence or results to change your practice.
• PTOther2024Reliability of Goniometric Techniques for Measuring Hip Flexor Length Using the Modified Thomas Test.International journal of sports physical therapyIn 64 healthy young adults, Modified Thomas Test goniometer measurements of hip flexor length were consistent within and between examiners when pelvic position was controlled.
• PTCase-Control2024Assessing the Relationship of Psychological Sport Readiness, Single-leg Vertical Jump, and Non-Sagittal Single-Leg Hops to Quadriceps Strength After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.International journal of sports physical therapySingle-leg hop tests overestimate quadriceps strength after ACL reconstruction. The vertical jump is the best screening tool for detecting strength asymmetry, while psychological readiness scores do not correlate with physical strength deficits.
• PTCase Report2024Rehabilitation of an Upper Extremity Weight-Bearing Athlete with an Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury: A Case Report.International journal of sports physical therapyA cheerleader with a suspected ulnar collateral ligament sprain returned to tumbling after individualized physical therapy that began early weight-bearing progressions. This is a case report, not proof the approach works.
• PTOTCohort2024Defining the glenohumeral range of motion required for overhead shoulder mobility: an observational study.Archives of physiotherapyTo lift the arm overhead, patients needed about 83 degrees of glenohumeral flexion and abduction. External rotation mattered less, requiring only 53% of the healthy side's range. Pushing for overhead motion with less than this may cause pain without restoring function.
• PTOther2024Hop Distance Symmetry Moderately Reflects Knee Biomechanics Symmetry During Landing But Not For Controlled Propulsions.International journal of sports physical therapySingle and triple hop distance symmetry partly reflected knee landing symmetry, but crossover hop distance symmetry did not. Timed hop symmetry reflected take-off more than landing. Poorer distance symmetry can indicate landing asymmetry.
• PTOTSurvey2024An Online Evidence-Based Education Resource Is Useful and Can Change People's Perceptions About Running and Knee Health.JOSPT openAfter reading a free online infographic resource, 76.8% of participants changed their views on running and knee health. They became more accepting of running with knee osteoarthritis and more cautious about long distances. The resource was rated highly useful, but this study did not test if it changes actual running behavior.
• PTOther2024Pain Self-efficacy Is Associated With Patient-Reported Function in Individuals With Chronic Hip Pain.JOSPT openIn people with chronic hip pain, higher confidence in coping with pain and more moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were linked to better self-reported hip function. These factors explained 38% of the variation in function scores, suggesting psychological and activity factors matter alongside diagnosis.
• PTOTOther2024Assessing Work Functioning in Patients with Persistent Low Back Pain: Exploring the Structural Validity of the Work Rehabilitation Questionnaire.Journal of occupational rehabilitationWORQ self-report scores in patients with persistent low back pain grouped into psychological wellbeing, physical functioning, and cognitive ability. Use domain scores rather than the total score to guide work rehabilitation.
• PTOTSystematic Review2024Time to Service and Its Relationship with Outcomes in Workers with Compensated Musculoskeletal Conditions: A Scoping Review.Journal of occupational rehabilitationEarly physical therapy and biopsychosocial care linked to faster return to work. Early MRI and opioids linked to longer disability and higher costs. Delayed surgery worsened neck outcomes. Timely access matters, but the specific service changes the result.
• PTOTCohort2024Patterns of Mental Health Service Use in Australian Workers with Low Back Pain: A Retrospective Cohort Study.Journal of occupational rehabilitationOnly 9.7% of workers with low back pain claims received funded mental health services. Those who did wait a median of 26.6 weeks for the first visit. Services were concentrated in workers with long-term time loss, with psychologists providing most care.
• PTOTOther2024Challenges of Measuring Self-Reported Exposure to Occupational Biomechanical Risk Factors Amongst People with Low Literacy Engaged in Manual Labour: Findings from a Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Investigation in an African Population with Chronic Low Back Pain.Journal of occupational rehabilitationThe Igbo version of the Occupational Risk Factor Questionnaire is reliable but showed unexpected results: higher reported physical job exposure linked to lower disability and pain. This likely reflects the 'healthy worker' effect, where those with more pain stop working, rather than heavy work being protective.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Can General Practitioner Opioid Prescribing to Compensated Workers with Low Back Pain Be Detected Using Administrative Payments Data? An Exploratory Study.Journal of occupational rehabilitationAdministrative payment data can detect that at least 35.6% of opioid dispenses to workers with low back pain were likely prescribed by a general practitioner on the same day. This allows insurers to monitor prescribing trends without needing clinical notes.
• PTOTSystematic Review2024Electronic Health Records for Predicting Outcomes to Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Scoping Review.Journal of occupational rehabilitationVery few studies use electronic health records to predict work-related musculoskeletal disorder outcomes. Most rely on claims databases. There is no standard set of data therapists should collect, and current records often lack the psychosocial and workplace factors needed for accurate prediction.
• PTOTOther2025The feasibility, acceptability, safety, and effects of early weight bearing in humeral fractures - a scoping review.Disability and rehabilitationEarly weight bearing after humeral fracture surgery may be feasible and safe, but the review found no standard protocol, no patient perspective, and no firm evidence of effect.
• PTOther2025Generalizability of a Musculoskeletal Therapist Electronic Health Record for Modelling Outcomes to Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders.Journal of occupational rehabilitationA large Australian workplace injury record set was similar to national workforce data on age, employment length and birthplace, but was heavily manufacturing and had more upper limb and body stressing injuries than workers' compensation claims.
• PTRCT2025Videoconference-Supervised Group Exercise Reduces Low Back Pain in Eldercare Workers: Results from the ReViEEW Randomised Controlled Trial.Journal of occupational rehabilitationAdding 12 weeks of videoconference-supervised group exercise to routine workplace prevention programs reduced average low back pain in eldercare workers. The pain scale was 0 to 10, and the experimental group fell from 3.4 to 2.4, while controls stayed near 3.1.
• PTCohort2024Construct validity, responsiveness and minimal important difference of the cumulated ambulation score in older adults with hip fracture in sub-acute rehabilitation facility.Clinical rehabilitationAfter hip fracture rehabilitation, a two-point rise on the six-point mobility score meant patients improved enough to be considered clinically important. The score tracked other mobility and independence measures, but at discharge 32.2% reached the top score.
• PTNarrative Review2024Quantitative Musculoskeletal Imaging of the Pediatric Shoulder.American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitationQuantitative imaging of children's shoulders is mostly used for brachial plexus birth palsy, but adult norms do not fit growing shoulders. Anatomically reformatted imaging can change reported glenoid version and humeral head position, so standard readings may misclassify.