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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 36 OF 41 · NEWEST FIRST

• PTOTSLPCohort2025Relationship Between Tendon Tissue and Shoulder Disability Change During an 8-Week Exercise Intervention for Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy: An Observational Study.Physical therapyShoulder pain and function improved significantly after 8 weeks of exercise. Tendon thickness decreased slightly, but this change was too small to be clinically meaningful. Early thickness changes correlated with symptom improvement, but this link disappeared by week 4.
• PTProtocol2025Do Fibromyalgia Patients Have a Preferred Resistance Training Volume? Protocol for a Randomized Crossover Clinical Trial.Physiotherapy research international : the journal for researchers and clinicians in physical therapyNo results yet: this protocol plans a randomized crossover trial comparing resistance training volumes in women with fibromyalgia and will ask which volume they prefer.
• PTOther2025Biopsychosocial profiles following ACL reconstruction: A latent class analysis of barriers to return-to-activity.Physical therapy in sport : official journal of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports MedicineAbout 6 months after ACL reconstruction, less-active patients fell into two groups: fear/symptom and symptom-only. Fear/symptom patients had worse fear, anxiety, and depression, while strength and hop tests did not separate the groups.
• PTMeta-Analysis2026Efficacy and safety of non-invasive brain stimulation for chronic low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationNon-invasive brain stimulation reduced pain and disability in adults with chronic low back pain, but did not improve quality of life. Effects varied widely, and several trials combined it with other treatments such as exercise, cognitive behavioural therapy, education, or manual therapy.
• PTOTSLPMeta-Analysis2025The Efficacy of Closed Versus Open Kinetic Chain Exercise in Knee Osteoarthritis-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Physiotherapy research international : the journal for researchers and clinicians in physical therapyClosed kinetic chain exercises like squats and lunges reduced knee pain and improved function slightly more than open kinetic chain exercises in the short term. Quality of life scores showed no difference between the two groups. The benefit was small.
• PTOTNarrative Review2025Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation for the Upper Extremity and Scapula: Review and Update on Rehabilitation of Shoulder Pathology.International journal of sports physical therapyPNF patterns help shoulder rehab, but evidence is strongest when combining upper limb and scapular movements. Using them separately does not reliably reduce pain or fix scapular position. Clinicians should integrate these diagonal patterns into broader programs rather than relying on them alone.
• PTOther2025Is Deceleration the Key Element in Vertical Jump Performance to Return to Sport After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With Hamstring Graft? A Preliminary Study.International journal of sports physical therapyAt six months after ACL reconstruction, deceleration symmetry did not show a clear group difference, but jump force and power symmetry were lower than controls. The reconstructed limb also had lower force, power, and deceleration than the other limb.
• PTCase Report2026Strength vs. endurance in myotome assessment-a case for (further studies on) repeated measurements.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesIn two patients with confirmed L5 radiculopathy, a single strength test missed weakness in one patient who only showed deficits after seven repeated contractions. This suggests clinicians should use multiple trials when assessing myotome strength.
• PTCase Series2025Hamstrings Volumetric Adaptations to a Four-Week Nordic Hamstring Exercise Protocol in Individuals with ACL Reconstruction: A Preliminary Case Series.International journal of sports physical therapyFour weeks of Nordic hamstring exercises increased eccentric strength by 11% on average, but muscle volume gains were small (3%) and inconsistent. Most participants showed some volume increase, yet responses varied widely, suggesting exercise prescription should be individualized rather than standardized.
• PTRCT2025Biochemical and clinical effects of McKenzie therapy versus muscle endurance exercises in chronic low-back pain.Archives of physiotherapyAll three exercise programs reduced pain and disability over six weeks. Dynamic back extensions lowered pain more than McKenzie or static exercises at three weeks. Creatine kinase rose in all groups but stayed within normal limits, showing no muscle damage.
• PTSurvey2025Patient-Perceived Benefits and Adverse Events of Dry Needling.International journal of sports physical therapyMost patients reported local soreness or pain after dry needling, but few had whole-body side effects. Despite these adverse events, 82.1% said they would recommend the treatment to a friend.
• PTOTOther2026Reliability and Discriminant Ability of an Instrumented Timed Up and Go Test in People With Postsurgical Orthopedic Conditions: Quantitative Study.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesThe instrumented TUG test reliably identifies five mobility domains in orthopedic patients. These sensor-based factors distinguish between hip, knee, and fracture groups better than stopwatch timing alone, offering a more detailed view of functional recovery.
• PTProtocol2025Efficacy of a Squat Visual Biofeedback Program After ACL Reconstruction: Protocol for a Prospective, Parallel, Randomized Controlled Trial.International journal of sports physical therapyThis is a protocol for a future trial. It outlines how researchers will test if visual biofeedback during squats improves knee loading after ACL reconstruction, but no patients have been treated or measured yet. There are no results to report.
• PTSystematic Review2025Mapping Comorbidities in Patients With Low Back Pain-A Systematic Review.Physiotherapy research international : the journal for researchers and clinicians in physical therapyAcross nine studies, 49% to 92% of people with nonspecific low back pain had at least one comorbidity. Hypertension, diabetes, osteoarthritis, asthma, and depression were the most commonly documented comorbidities.
• PTOTPilot2026Integrated disability evaluation in low back pain: feasibility and multidomain profiling from the EL DORADO cohort.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesA multidomain assessment of low back pain, combining questionnaires, physical tests, sensory testing and records, took 22 minutes and was completed by over 95% of patients. It was safe and acceptable, but the study did not test whether it improves care or decisions.
• PTCohort2026Referral of people with low back pain to physical therapists in Brazilian primary healthcare: A challenge revealed.Brazilian journal of physical therapyLess than 1% of people with low back pain in Brazilian primary care were referred to physical therapists. About half of those referrals took over 200 days. Imaging and specialist referrals were much more common than physical therapy referrals.
• PTCohort2025Association Between Patient-Specific Factors and the Therapeutic Relationship in Direct Access Physiotherapy for Higher Education Students-An Observational Cross-Sectional Study.Physiotherapy research international : the journal for researchers and clinicians in physical therapyStudents with psychological distress or poorer physical function rated the therapeutic relationship less favorably after a single direct access physiotherapy visit. Chronic pain and overall psychosocial risk were not associated with the relationship quality. The relationship was generally rated very good.
• PTOTOther2026Development of a set of core outcome measures for ambulant children with cerebral palsy after lower limb orthopaedic surgery.Developmental medicine and child neurologyA consensus panel recommended seven outcome measures to assess ambulant children with cerebral palsy after lower limb surgery. The Goal Outcome Assessment List was preferred across most domains, complemented by gait analysis and quality of life tools to capture both clinical and patient-reported impacts.
• PTOTCohort2026Chronic neck pain is associated with altered gait performance compared to healthy controls: Cross-sectional observations.Gait & posturePeople with chronic neck pain walked slower and showed more stride variability than healthy controls, even during simple walking. Pain severity linked to these gait changes. This suggests neck pain may affect mobility, but the cross-sectional design cannot prove pain causes the gait alterations.
• PTOTCohort2025Depressive Symptoms and Physical Activity Mediate the Adverse Effect of Pain on Functional Dependence in Patients With Arthritis: Evidence From the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging.Physical therapyIn people with arthritis, pain was linked to more dependence in daily tasks years later. Part of that link ran through depressive symptoms and lower physical activity. This is an observational association, not proof that treating depression or increasing activity prevents decline.
• PTOTSLPNarrative Review2025Design of dry-needling and acupuncture sham devices: an illustrative review.Journal of physical therapy scienceFive sham needle devices were identified that look and feel like real acupuncture but do not penetrate the skin. Only one allows the therapist to be blinded too, which is critical for rigorous trials. No standard device exists yet.
• PTNarrative Review2025Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound in the Evaluation of the Rectus Abdominis.International journal of sports physical therapyThis paper describes how to perform and interpret musculoskeletal ultrasound of the rectus abdominis. It does not report patient outcomes, diagnostic accuracy, or treatment effects, so it offers no evidence to guide clinical decisions.
• PTCohort2025Changes in Normalized Shoulder Strength and Self-Perceived Function in Healthy Division One Baseball Players Over the Course of a Competitive Season.International journal of sports physical therapyShoulder strength changed significantly over a competitive season in 49 healthy collegiate baseball players, but self-perceived function did not. Pitchers and non-pitchers showed similar patterns. Strength benchmarks from this study can guide clinical assessment during the season.
• PTPilot2026Feasibility of optimizing muscle activation of individuals with spinal cord injuries to reduce caregiver effort in assisted transfers.Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitationOptimized stimulation reduced estimated caregiver work and some estimated joint loads in two people with spinal cord injury, but the ground-force difference was not clear.
• PTQualitative2025Qualitative Evaluation of Patient Experiences with Low-Load Blood Flow Restriction and Heavy-Load Resistance Training Post-ACL Reconstruction.International journal of sports physical therapyTen patients reported high satisfaction with both blood flow restriction and heavy-load training after ACL surgery. Both groups gained strength. Blood flow restriction caused thigh pain and one fainting episode, while heavy-load training caused knee pain that delayed recovery in two patients.
• PTOTSLPCohort2025Patients Who Do Not Achieve 90% of the Nonoperative Side on the Anterior Reach Y-Balance Test at 3 Months After ACL Reconstruction Are More Likely to Have Persistent Knee Extension Strength Asymmetry at 6 Months Postoperatively.International journal of sports physical therapyPatients with an anterior reach Y-Balance test symmetry index below 90% at three months after ACL reconstruction were significantly more likely to have knee extensor strength asymmetry at six months. However, a symmetry index above 90% at three months did not guarantee normal strength at six months.
• PTCohort2025Kinematic and Kinetic Risk Factors Exist Bilaterally During the First and Second Landing of the Drop Vertical Jump in Adolescent Patients following ACL Reconstruction.International journal of sports physical therapyAdolescents cleared to return to sport after ACL surgery showed risk factors on both landings of a drop jump. The second landing was stiffer and more game-like. The non-operated leg often moved more than the surgical leg, suggesting compensation rather than normal movement.
• PTOther2025Interpreting Quadriceps Strength Thresholds for Patients Following ACL-Reconstruction: A Clinical Commentary.International journal of sports physical therapy
• PTOther2025Radial, Median and Ulnar Nerve Flossing as Essential Preparatory Treatment for Baseball Pitchers in the Prevention of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury: A Clinical Suggestion.International journal of sports physical therapyNo original research or outcomes are reported. The paper offers a theoretical proposal for nerve flossing in pitchers but provides no evidence that it prevents injury.
• PTOTRCT2026Effects of an Exercise-Assisting Mobile App (Osteoarthritis-Rehabilitation Assistant [O-RA]) on Rehabilitation Outcomes in Older Adults: Randomized Controlled Parallel Clinical Trial.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesOlder adults using the O-RA motion-analysis app completed significantly fewer knee exercises than those given standard instructions. The app acted as a barrier, not a facilitator, due to instability, WiFi requirements, and difficulty using the interface.
• PTSurvey2026Knowledge and use of thoracic manipulations by manual therapists in Belgium and the Netherlands.The Journal of manual & manipulative therapyMost manual therapists skip standardized pre-screening tools before thoracic manipulation, relying instead on clinical judgment. While agreement exists on major contraindications like cancer, significant variation remains in how therapists interpret red flags and risk factors.
• PTOTRCT2026Effects of Sanqi Shengyu External Application Cream and Pulsed Electromagnetic Field on Knee Osteoarthritis in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial.Physiotherapy research international : the journal for researchers and clinicians in physical therapyFor older adults with knee osteoarthritis, adding a herbal cream or electromagnetic therapy to daily exercise reduced pain and improved function. Combining both treatments provided the best long-term results. Exercise alone also helped, but the combined therapy maintained pain relief better over time.
• PTCohort2025Episode of Care Characteristics Following Implementation of a No Copay Physical Therapy Program for Musculoskeletal Conditions.Physical therapyOnly 9.1% of episodes used the no copay physical therapy pathway, and those episodes had lower imaging and physician service rates than other management, but patients chose their care, so copay removal was not proven to cause this.
• PTOther2025Sports Injuries and Care Provided by the Physiotherapy Service of the Brazilian Olympic Committee (BOC) during the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Summer Games.International journal of sports physical therapyOf 422 Brazilian athletes referred to physiotherapy at the Rio 2016 Games, judo and handball generated the most treatments. Tendinopathies and shoulder pain were the top issues. Manual therapy and electrotherapy were the most common procedures, reflecting acute symptom management rather than long-term rehab.
• PTOther2025Brisement Injection with Physical Therapy: A Novel Approach to Managing Glenohumeral Joint Osteoarthritis.International journal of sports physical therapyThis paper describes a proposed treatment method but reports no patient outcomes. It outlines how to combine shoulder injections with physical therapy, but does not show whether this works.
• PTOther2025The Influence of Coronal Strike Stance Angle on Kicking Mechanics in Adolescent Female Soccer Players.International journal of sports physical therapyGreater stance limb angle was associated with knee loading linked to ACL risk factors on non-dominant kicks and greater ankle bend on dominant kicks, but many other links were not found. A direct causal link to ACL injury has not been established.
• PTOther2025Changes in the Medial Elbow Joint During Repetitive Pitching and Related Factors in High School Baseball Players: An Analysis of Physical Characteristics Including Maximum Elbow Valgus Torque.International journal of sports physical therapyAfter 100 pitches, the medial elbow joint widened and the ulnar collateral ligament and forearm flexor pronator muscles became less stiff. Greater elbow valgus torque and weaker shoulder abduction predicted more ligament softening, while limited thoracic spine movement predicted more muscle softening.
• PTCohort2025Does Pain Self-efficacy influence Initial Forward Bending in Adults with Chronic Low Back Pain following Exercise? A Cohort Study.International journal of sports physical therapyBaseline pain confidence did not predict how lumbar or hip movement changed after 12 weeks of exercise. Higher confidence was linked to slightly less lumbar flexion at the start, but the difference was under 2 degrees and likely within measurement error.
• PTOTSystematic Review2026Use of Wearable Devices to Augment Traditional Measurements of Postoperative Outcomes Following Total Joint Arthroplasty: Systematic Review.JMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologiesWearable step counts often fail to match patient-reported pain and function scores after hip or knee replacement. Correlations exist but are inconsistent, with no standardized metric yet guiding clinical intervention or predicting poor recovery reliably.
• PTNarrative Review2025Physiotherapy and Exercise Therapy after Surgical Treatment of Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome: A Clinical Commentary from the QKG - Society for Cartilage Regeneration and Joint Preservation.International journal of sports physical therapyThis paper presents an expert consensus framework for hip arthroscopy rehabilitation, detailing phase-based timelines and exercise parameters. It reports no new patient data or trial results, so it cannot confirm whether these specific protocols improve outcomes compared to other methods.
• PTRCT2026Influence of Social Support on Patients' Adherence to Activity Advice in Low Back Pain: A Double-Blinded Randomised Controlled Trial.Physiotherapy research international : the journal for researchers and clinicians in physical therapyPartner or friend social support added to guideline physiotherapy and activity advice did not improve adherence for inactive people with recurrent low back pain. One week 12 looser definition showed a difference, but the main outcome showed no difference.
• PTRCT2026Effects of thoracic manipulation with trigger point therapy on inflammatory cytokine levels in individuals with multiple sclerosis: a pilot study.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesIn 21 people with relapsing multiple sclerosis, chiropractic thoracic palpation, trigger point therapy, and manipulation did not clearly improve symptoms, and most blood inflammation markers barely differed from sham; a few inflammation markers changed, but this pilot did not test whether that means anything.
• PTRCT2025The effects of psychologically informed physical therapy on kinesiophobia, pain, disability, depression, and anxiety in patients with chronic low back pain: an intervention study focusing on graded exposure.Journal of physical therapy scienceAdding psychologically informed physical therapy to standard therapy lowered pain and depression in patients with chronic low back pain, but fear and disability did not show a between-group difference, and anxiety did not improve.
• PTSurvey2026Construction and evaluation of a model to identify early postoperative kinesiophobia in patients with lumbar degenerative diseases: a cross-sectional study.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesAfter lumbar fusion surgery, 252 of 402 patients had fear of movement. Older age, male sex, higher pain, anxiety, depression, lower self-efficacy and lower social support were linked to it. A model using these factors flagged high-risk patients, but no treatment was tested.
• PTCohort2026Reference values for muscle stiffness and asymmetry using myotonometry: a pilot study.The Journal of manual & manipulative therapyHandheld myotonometry gave preliminary stiffness and asymmetry ranges for seven muscles in 26 healthy young adults. Men were stiffer overall, but sex-specific ranges are needed; age, BMI, and weekly exercise did not show clear differences.
• PTOTSLPCohort2026The prevalence of an isolated gastrocnemius tightness in patients with knee or hip pathology.Frontiers in rehabilitation sciencesIsolated gastrocnemius tightness was found in 20% of patients with hip pathology and 10% with knee pathology before surgery. Older age and higher pain levels were linked to greater tightness, while higher physical activity was associated with less tightness.
• PTOther2025Analysis of Neuromuscular Control and Sensory and Psychological Anxiety Affecting Shock Absorption Capacity in Patients After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Surgery.International journal of sports physical therapyHigher muscle co-contraction and worse knee position sense were linked to harder landings after ACL reconstruction. Psychological readiness scores showed no such link. The study was small, cross-sectional, and cannot prove that treating these factors improves landing mechanics.
• PTSurvey2025Physical therapists' perspectives and practices on weight management for chronic pain patients with obesity: a cross-sectional survey.Archives of physiotherapySwiss physical therapists valued nutrition and exercise counseling for patients with chronic pain and obesity, but only 56% thought weight reduction was in scope and 44% felt confident. Most recommended it, while fewer implemented it, mainly as activity advice.
• PTOther2025Reliability of a portable device for measuring lower-limb muscle strength in patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty.Journal of physical therapy scienceIn 64 patients after total knee arthroplasty, a portable quadriceps strength device gave consistent readings within each therapist and between two therapists. Use the best of three trials rather than the average.
• PTOTCohort2025The 30-Second Roll to Quadruped Test: Linking Muscle Strength and Endurance with Rolling.International journal of sports physical therapyHealthy young adults who rolled more times in 30 seconds had greater upper and lower body strength. Those using a pivot strategy were stronger, while those relying on a prone-to-quadruped strategy had lower strength and activity levels. Core endurance did not correlate with rolling performance.