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 32 OF 41 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOther2025The Effects of Noxious Electrical Stimulation and Eccentric Exercise on Mechanical and Thermal Pain Sensitivity in Recreational Runners with Achilles Tendinopathy.International journal of sports physical therapy16 runners with chronic Achilles pain reported better function and showed less pressure and heat sensitivity after one week of painful electrical stimulation followed by eccentric calf, core, stretch exercises and running education. Because treatments were sequenced, the effect of any single part is unclear.
• PTOTOther2025Patients' Expectations for App-Based Therapy in Knee Osteoarthritis: User-Centered Design Approach.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesPatients with knee osteoarthritis valued exercise videos, goal setting, and physiotherapist contact most. Higher motivation predicted wanting detailed disease info and longer sessions. Men rated app ease of use higher than women. Barriers included unclear instructions and inaccurate information.
• PTOTSLPOther2025The Effect of the Addition of Core Exercises to Supervised Physiotherapy in Patients With Subacromial Impingement Syndrome.International journal of sports physical therapyIn 34 patients with subacromial impingement, adding core exercises to five weeks of supervised physiotherapy increased lateral rotator strength by 9.2 kg and grip strength by 10.6 kg. However, without a control group, it is impossible to separate the effect of the core exercises from the standard physiotherapy they also received.
• PTOther2025Influence of treadmill speed selection on gait parameters compared to overground walking in subacute rehabilitation patients.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn 42 subacute inpatients, comfortable treadmill speed was around 70 to 80% of their overground speed. On the treadmill they walked slower with shorter strides, kept cadence, and widened step width.
• PTOther2025The Neuromusculoskeletal Modeling Pipeline: MATLAB-based model personalization and treatment optimization functionality for OpenSim.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA new OpenSim software tool can personalize movement models and simulate treatments. In a stroke survivor’s model, a simulated change in muscle control patterns predicted 9.9% lower metabolic cost at a faster walking trial and possible 60% faster walking without raising cost.
• PTNarrative Review2025Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound of the Achilles Tendon.International journal of sports physical therapyThis paper describes how to image the Achilles tendon and what various injuries look like on ultrasound. It reports no patients and no outcomes, so there is nothing here to change your practice on.
• PTCohort2025Hamstrings and Quadriceps Weaknesses Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Persist Up to 6 Months After Return-to-Sport: An Angle-specific Strength Analysis.International journal of sports physical therapyAthletes cleared to return to sport after ACL reconstruction still have significant hamstrings and quadriceps weakness in the injured leg. These deficits persist for six months without further rehab and are easily missed if you only check peak strength.
• PTOTSLPOther2025Enhancing patient rehabilitation outcomes: artificial intelligence-driven predictive modeling for home discharge in neurological and orthopedic conditions.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationA computer model predicted whether rehab patients would go home using admission data. It was 83% accurate for neurological and 90% for orthopedic patients. Age and functional independence were the strongest predictors. This is a tool for resource planning, not a clinical decision-maker.
• PTCohort2025The Impact of a Concomitant Meniscus Surgery on Hop Performance Symmetry in Patients Rehabilitating After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.International journal of sports physical therapyAfter ACL reconstruction, patients with a partial meniscectomy had worse single-leg hop symmetry than those with isolated ACL reconstruction or meniscus repair. At six months, a 90% hop score may not mark readiness to return.
• PTOTCohort2025Psychological, disability, and somatosensory characteristics across different risk levels in individuals with low back pain: A cross-sectional study.Brazilian journal of physical therapyHigher risk scores on the Start Back Screening Tool and Central Sensitization Inventory were linked to greater pain, disability, fear of movement, and lower pain thresholds. However, the two questionnaires disagreed on who belonged to which risk group, so they identify different problems rather than the same subgroup.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Clinical Evolution and Safety of a Cryotherapy - Based Spray for Mild to Moderate Joint and Muscle Pain: A Descriptive Observational Study.International journal of sports physical therapyAmateur football players with mild to moderate knee or ankle pain reported less pain and better movement after using a cooling spray. However, with no control group, these gains may reflect natural healing or placebo effects rather than the spray itself.
• PTQualitative2025The experiences of physical therapists delivering a very low energy diet and exercise intervention for weight loss in people with knee osteoarthritis: A qualitative study.Brazilian journal of physical therapySix physical therapists delivering a combined diet and exercise program for knee osteoarthritis felt the training and strict protocol made it manageable. They believed it fit their scope for simple cases but warned that complex patients need medical or dietetic oversight.
• PTOther2025Increased Gait Speed Changes Knee Mechanics Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Implications and Caution for Treadmill Training in Early Rehabilitation.International journal of sports physical therapyWalking 25% faster than self-selected speed on a treadmill increased knee loading in people 12-20 weeks post-ACL reconstruction. However, walking 50% faster worsened limb symmetry and triggered compensatory patterns. Use moderate speed increases for gait retraining; avoid large jumps.
• PTOTSLPPilot2025Comparison Between a State-of-the-Art Mechanical 3D Scoliosis Correction Protocol and the Schroth Exercise on Spinal Flexibility of Patients With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationOne session of mechanical 3D correction increased body height but did not beat Schroth exercises for spinal flexibility. Both groups improved forward bending and rotation after treatment. Lateral bending improved only with the machine. The height gain likely reflects spinal unloading while lying down, not permanent correction.
• PTOTSLPCase Report2025Multidisciplinary and home-based management in neonatal unilateral foot drop: a case report.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesA newborn with isolated foot drop from nerve compression recovered fully in five months. Parents performed daily home-based passive movement and tactile stimulation, guided by clinicians. No orthosis, medication, or electrotherapy was used. This single case cannot prove the treatment worked.
• PTOTRCT2025Sensorimotor Stabilization Exercises With and Without Behavioral Treatment in Low Back Pain: Feasibility and Effects of a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.Archives of rehabilitation research and clinical translationSensorimotor exercises reduced pain intensity, while adding behavioral therapy reduced pain-related disability. Both approaches improved trunk extension strength. Benefits were small, and half the participants dropped out during the home-based phase, limiting the real-world impact.
• PTOTCohort2025Isokinetic Strength Profiles Among Youth after Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction.International journal of sports physical therapyAt about seven months after knee ligament reconstruction, less than 65% of young patients reached the standard 90% strength symmetry in their quadriceps. Males consistently showed higher strength than females. Higher quadriceps strength was linked to better patient-reported function and quality of life.
• PTOther2025Normative values for calf muscle strength-endurance in the general population assessed with the Calf Raise Application: A large international cross-sectional study.Brazilian journal of physical therapyFor healthy adults, the median single-leg heel-rise endurance was 25 repetitions on the dominant leg and 24 on the non-dominant leg. Values varied with sex, height, BMI and activity level, so use personal reference ranges rather than one fixed normal.
• PTNarrative Review2024The Utilization of Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in the Evaluation for Ischiofemoral Impingement: A Perspective for Rehabilitation Providers.International journal of sports physical therapyThis is a narrative perspective on using diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound for suspected ischiofemoral impingement. It gives no patient results, so it does not provide evidence to change treatment.
• PTPilot2025Post-Acute Concussion-Related Differences in Neuromotor Control Measured Using a Low-Cost Movement Assessment System: A Feasibility Study.International journal of sports physical therapyA low-cost movement test classified 81.67% of 22 young adults correctly when sorting people recovering from concussion from controls, within this small feasibility sample. Balance, gait, and reaction-time patterns mattered together, not one single measure.
• PTCase Series2025A Multimodal Chiropractic Approach to the Treatment and Management of Medial Elbow Injuries in Elite Javelin Throwers: A Case Series.International journal of sports physical therapyFive elite and amateur javelin throwers with medial elbow injuries, including ulnar collateral ligament tears and fractures, returned to competition within 12 to 26 weeks. All achieved 'Excellent' status on the Conway scale after a multimodal chiropractic approach involving manual therapy, dry needling, laser, and progressive rehabilitation.
• PTNarrative Review2025The Relationship Between Tensor Fascia Latae and Gluteus Maximus Has the Potential to Indicate Early Intra-articular and Degenerative Pathologies of the Femoral-Acetabular Joint: A Narrative Review.International journal of sports physical therapyThis paper suggests that a strength imbalance between two hip muscles might indicate early joint damage, but it reports no patients, no tests, and no results. It is a theoretical proposal for future research, not a diagnostic tool you can use now.
• PTRCT2025The Impact of Real-Time Biofeedback on Partial Weightbearing Training: A Comparative Study.International journal of sports physical therapyAdding real-time audio-visual biofeedback to standard training helped 88% of healthy adults meet the partial weightbearing compliance criterion during walking, compared with 19% using standard training alone.
• PTOTCohort2025Postoperative hand therapy and the 2018 Medicare therapy cap repeal: Appraising cost and use changes.Journal of hand therapy : official journal of the American Society of Hand TherapistsThe 2018 Medicare therapy cap repeal reduced out-of-pocket costs by about $1 per appointment but led to increased therapy use after carpal tunnel and distal radius fracture surgeries. This suggests coverage changes may drive utilization more than clinical need, potentially requiring prior authorization to balance access with appropriate care.
• PTOther2025Ulnar Collateral Ligament Hybrid Reconstruction Surgery & Rehabilitation in the Overhead Athlete.International journal of sports physical therapyThis paper describes a surgical technique and rehabilitation program, but reports no patient outcomes, so there is no evidence to act on.
• PTOther2025Treatment Decision-Making for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rupture From the Perspective of Physical Therapists in Australia: A Mixed Methods Study.Physical therapyAustralian physical therapists had mixed beliefs about ACL rupture treatment. Some saw surgery as best for young, active patients, while interviewees described surgeon opinion, referral order and patient expectations as barriers to offering rehabilitation first.
• PTOTOther2025Does Inspiratory Threshold Loading and Visual Tasking Affect Visual Attention Accuracy?Physical therapyHealthy adults tracking moving objects made more errors while breathing against inspiratory loads, with greater interference at moderate than low loads. Accuracy correlated with inspiratory muscle strength and emotional control. This suggests breathing effort competes for cognitive resources.
• PTOTCohort2025Can N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide concentration on admission predict the functional independence measure at discharge in patients aged 75 years or older with postoperative proximal femur fracture?Journal of physical therapy scienceIn older proximal femur fracture patients, a blood marker of heart failure severity did not predict total independence at discharge beyond the baseline score. Higher marker levels were linked to lower motor independence and smaller total and motor gains.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Long-Term Injury Survey in a Japanese University Women's Soccer Team.International journal of sports physical therapyInjuries were far more common during games than practice, with lower limbs, ankles, and knees most affected. Defenders and first-year players had the highest injury rates. Severe injuries, including concussions and ACL tears, were frequent.
• PTOTSurvey2025How Do Physical Therapists and Athletic Trainers Maintain Their Physical Fitness? A Descriptive Survey Study.International journal of sports physical therapyMost surveyed therapists and trainers met physical activity guidelines, averaging 14 hours weekly. They relied on self-guided home workouts and wearables, rarely using formal performance tests. Work schedule and lack of time were the primary barriers to maintaining fitness.
• PTOther2025Reliability of photogrammetric evaluation of the craniovertebral angle, swayback posture, and knee hyperextension in university students.Journal of physical therapy scienceSmartphone photographs measured head, trunk, and knee posture consistently across physiotherapists and on repeat testing in healthy university students. PTs can consider this for healthy young adults, but not as evidence it is reliable for patients.
• PTOTSLPSystematic Review2025Exploring the therapeutic potential of transcranial direct current stimulation for chronic low back pain: a scoping review.European journal of physical and rehabilitation medicineEvidence for tDCS in chronic low back pain is mixed and inconclusive. Some studies show reduced pain or disability, others show no benefit. The review does not support changing clinical practice, but notes tDCS appears safe with only mild side effects.
• PTPilot2025Reliability of Pain Thresholds and Exercise-Induced Hypoalgesia Following 45-Degree Roman Chair Exercise.International journal of sports physical therapyA single set of Roman chair back extensions raised pain thresholds in the low back and trapezius of healthy adults. The effect was reliable across two sessions. This does not prove the exercise reduces pain in patients with chronic low back pain.
• PTCase Series2025Early Measures of Torque Development are Related to Peak Torque at Six Months Following ACL Reconstruction.International journal of sports physical therapyFour months after ACL reconstruction, the injured knee's ability to generate quadriceps torque quickly was associated with greater peak torque at six months. The injured limb also produced torque more slowly than the other limb.
• PTCohort2025Epidemiology of Musculoskeletal Injuries in Male Adult Basketball Athletes in Brazil: A One-season Descriptive Study.International journal of sports physical therapyInjuries were 15 times more likely per hour during games than practice. The knee was the most common injury site, while muscle injuries caused the highest overall burden on performance. Monitoring non-time-loss injuries is critical, as they significantly reduce training quality.
• PTOTOther2025Individual muscle strengths in rehabilitation outcomes of distal radius fracture.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationSimulated extension exercises after wrist fracture helped a weaker patient heal but hurt a stronger one. Muscle strength changes how much force hits the bone. Standard exercise plans may overload strong patients and underload weak ones.
• PTRCT2025Modifying lumbar flexion pain thresholds in patients with chronic low back pain through visual-proprioceptive manipulation with virtual reality: a cross-sectional study.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationVirtual reality made chronic back pain patients bend 5% further before pain when their arms looked shorter. That was 7% more than when the arms looked longer, and when the avatar made the movement look larger, pain-free bending did not differ from no VR.
• PTPilot2025Feasibility of Direct-Access Physical Therapy for Concussion Management in the Pediatric Emergency Department: A Pilot Implementation Study.Physical therapyIn a pediatric emergency department pilot, children seen by a physical therapist plus physician had higher parent satisfaction, better recall of discharge instructions, more prognostic documentation, and more concussion clinic referrals than physician alone. This is feasibility data, not proof of effectiveness.
• PTOTCohort2025Objective gait analysis using Kinect v2® for the prognosis of walking during the acute phase of rehabilitation after proximal femoral fracture surgery.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesPatients who could walk with a walker one week after hip fracture surgery showed significantly better gait speed and balance at discharge than those who could not. Early weight-bearing and pain control appear critical for prognosis, though this small study cannot prove causation.
• PTNarrative Review2025TECAR Therapy: A Clinical Commentary on its Evolution, Application, and Future in Rehabilitation.International journal of sports physical therapyThis article reviews the theoretical basis and existing literature on TECAR therapy for musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. It highlights the lack of large, standardized trials and does not present new evidence to support or refute the treatment's efficacy.
• PTSurvey2025Exercise Prescription for Patients With Persistent Low Back Pain Who Present With Impaired Lateral Abdominal Muscle Activation: A Delphi Survey.Physiotherapy research international : the journal for researchers and clinicians in physical therapyExpert physiotherapists agreed on a 4–12 week exercise plan for persistent low back pain with lateral abdominal muscle issues. Start with daily motor control work, then progress to endurance and strength using bird dogs and bridges, while keeping the program individualized.
• PTOTSystematic Review2025Exploring the Beliefs, Perceptions, and Experiences of Individuals With Tendinopathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Ethnography of Qualitative Studies.Physical therapyPatients with tendon pain want to know why it hurts and often fear exercise will cause damage. They struggle to engage with rehab due to time, pain, or lack of trust. Clinicians should explain the condition clearly, reassure patients that gradual loading is safe, and simplify exercises to fit daily life.
• PTCohort2025Social Determinants of Health and Quadriceps Strength Recovery in Children and Adolescents following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.International journal of sports physical therapyBlack or African American girls recovered significantly less quadriceps strength than boys or White patients after ACL reconstruction. Neighborhood deprivation indices lost their statistical significance once age and graft type were accounted for.
• PTOTSLPOther2024A Delphi Exploration of Toileting Activity Performance in Individuals With Cerebral Palsy Within the ICF-CY Framework: Unveiling Influential Factors.Occupational therapy internationalExperts agreed that caregiver awareness of a child's readiness and neuromusculoskeletal function are the top factors affecting toileting in cerebral palsy. They also highlighted the critical role of toilet environment, communication feedback, and cultural attitudes toward menstruation and hygiene.
• PTCase Report2025Postoperative Rehabilitation Following Subscapularis Repair and Biceps Tenodesis in an Adolescent Overhead Athlete: A Resident's Case Report.International journal of sports physical therapyA 13-year-old quarterback and pitcher returned to throwing after surgical repair of a torn subscapularis and biceps tendon. Rehabilitation took 30 weeks and involved strict protection of the repairs, with coordination between the physical therapist and school athletic trainer.
• PTOTNarrative Review2025Transforming Care: Implications of Glucagon Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists on Physical Therapist Practice.Physical therapyPhysical therapists should screen for GLP-1 medication use to adjust exercise loading and prevent muscle loss. Weight loss reduces joint pain but risks lean mass decline. Resistance training and high protein intake are critical to maintain function during treatment.
• PTCase Series2025Long-term Follow-up of Patients with Acute Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Treated Non-operatively with a Physiotherapy-led Exercise and Support Brace Intervention.International journal of sports physical therapyMost patients with acute PCL injuries treated with a brace and physiotherapy reported improved knee function five years later. Surgery was rarely needed after two years. However, multiligament injuries showed lower scores and a higher surgery rate, suggesting knee dislocations may need early surgical consideration.
• PTOTCohort2025Symptom Duration is not Related to Central Sensitization Inventory in Midportion Achilles Tendinopathy.International journal of sports physical therapySymptom duration did not correlate with central sensitization scores in people with midportion Achilles tendinopathy. Only 4.9% of the 182 participants scored above the clinical cutoff for likely central sensitization.
• PTOTSLPCase Report2025A Novel Figure-Eight Taping Technique for Managing Anterior Shoulder Instability in a Recreational Pitcher: A Case Report.International journal of sports physical therapyA single figure-eight taping session plus home exercises reportedly allowed one pitcher with anterior shoulder instability to pitch pain-free four months later. This describes one person's experience and cannot show the tape caused the improvement.
• PTOTRCT2025The impacts of transcranial direct current stimulation combined with aquatic neuromuscular training on pain, function, kinesiophobia, knee instability, and quality of life in knee osteoarthritis: a double-blind randomized trial.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationAdding brain stimulation to water exercises didn't reduce pain more than placebo at six weeks, but it improved knee stability and function. Both groups got better, so the stimulation didn't add a pain benefit over the exercise alone.