Physical Therapist Management of Glenohumeral Joint Osteoarthritis: A Clinical Practice Guideline from the American Physical Therapy Association.

A clinical practice guideline on glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis was developed by an American Physical Therapy Association volunteer guideline development group that consisted of physical therapists, an occupational therapist, and a physician. The guideline was based on systematic reviews of current scientific and clinical information and accepted approaches for physical therapist management of glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis. This clinical practice guideline is available in Spanish; see Supplementary Appendix 8.

Lateral Elbow Pain and Muscle Function Impairments.

Although often described as a self-limiting condition and likely to resolve on its own, high recurrence rates and extended sick leave frame a need for effective non-surgical treatment for people with lateral elbow tendinopathy. The interrelationship of histological and structural changes to the tendon, the associated impairments in motor control, and potential changes in pain processing may all drive symptoms. This clinical practice guideline covers the epidemiology, functional anatomy and pathophysiology, risk factors, clinical course, prognosis, differential diagnosis, tests and measures, and interventions for managing lateral elbow tendinopathy in the physical therapy clinic.

The role of diagnostic ultrasound in the examination of carpal tunnel syndrome: an update and systematic review.

Background: Diagnostic ultrasound is becoming more available and has potential for identifying carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), but there is a lack of consensus on optimal measurement parameters and interpretation.

Purpose: The purpose of this systematic review was to analyze and summarize recent published data evaluating measurement properties of diagnostic ultrasound for use in individuals with CTS.

Methods: Five databases were searched to identify studies reporting on diagnostic measurement in individuals ≥18 years of age.

The Effect of Scapular Muscle Strengthening on Functional Recovery in Patients With Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Context: There is a lack of consensus on the best management approach for lateral elbow tendinopathy (LET). Recently, scapular stabilizer strength impairments have been found in individuals with LET.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of local therapy (LT) treatment to LT treatment plus a scapular muscle-strengthening (LT + SMS) program in patients diagnosed with LET.

ANALYSIS OF RANGE OF MOTION IN FEMALE RECREATIONAL TENNIS PLAYERS WITH AND WITHOUT LATERAL ELBOW TENDINOPATHY.

Background: Intrinsic factors including altered joint motion in the upper extremity may lead to altered biomechanics in tennis players and could result in symptoms of lateral elbow tendinopathy.

Purpose: To compare upper extremity passive motion and elbow carrying angle between three groups of women: recreational tennis players with LET, non-symptomatic recreational tennis players, and a control group of non-tennis players.

Study Design: Cross-sectional.

A COMPREHENSIVE REHABILITATION PROGRAM FOR TREATING LATERAL ELBOW TENDINOPATHY.

Unlabelled: Scapular muscle weakness in patients with lateral elbow tendinopathy is an identified impairment and is part of a multimodal rehabilitation approach. The published literature provides little information regarding specific rehabilitation guidelines that address both the proximal scapular muscle weakness and local elbow/wrist dysfunctions common in patients with lateral elbow tendinopathy. The purpose of this clinical commentary is to describe a comprehensive rehabilitation strategy for individuals with lateral elbow tendinopathy.

Do joint mobilizations assist in the recovery of lateral elbow tendinopathy? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Study Design: Systematic review.

Introduction: No consensus exists as to which are the most effective methods to treat the symptoms associated with lateral elbow tendinopathy (LET). Research has suggested that joint mobilizations may assist in the recovery of patients with LET.

Comparison of portable handheld versus fixed isokinetic dynamometers in measuring strength of the wrist and forearm.

: The purpose of this study was to test the concurrent validity of using hydraulic dynamometers in comparison to the gold standard isokinetic dynamometers in measuring wrist and forearm strength. : Healthy adults between the ages of 18-65 participated, including 24 participants, 8 men and 16 women. The examiner used a handheld dynamometer, forearm/wrist dynamometer, and an isokinetic dynamometer to measure force/torque production in forearm rotation and wrist flexion/extension using a standardized protocol of two handle types for each motion.

Health promotion, wellness, and prevention in hand therapy: A survey study.

Study Design: Descriptive study.

Introduction: Noncommunicable diseases including diabetes and cardiovascular disease are associated with increased complications and cost of health care.

Purpose Of The Study: To describe beliefs and extent to which hand therapists include health promotion, wellness, and prevention (HPWP) in practice and to elucidate barriers to the incorporation of HPWP.

CHRONIC UCL INJURY: A MULTIMODAL APPROACH TO CORRECTING ALTERED MECHANICS AND IMPROVING HEALING IN A COLLEGE ATHLETE- A CASE REPORT.

Background: Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) tears and associated Tommy Johns surgical intervention from excessive and poor quality pitching has increased immensely-with more college and professional pitchers undergoing the surgery in 2014 alone than in the 1990s as a whole.(1) Faulty mechanics developed at young ages are often well-engrained by the late adolescent years and the minimal healing ability of the largely avascular UCL often leads to delayed safe return to sport.(2).

Hand therapist use of patient report outcome (PRO) in practice: a survey study.

Purpose: The purpose of this survey was to gain greater insight into hand therapists' use of Patient Report Outcome (PRO) measures.

Methods: An 11-question survey that evaluated therapists' perceptions, preferences, and patterns of use of patient report outcome measures was sent to members of ASHT.

Results: A total of 633 ASHT members participated in the survey study.

Upper extremity strength characteristics in female recreational tennis players with and without lateral epicondylalgia.

Study Design: Descriptive, cross-sectional.

Objectives: To compare static strength characteristics of the upper extremity musculature in female recreational tennis players with lateral epicondylalgia to those of nonsymptomatic tennis players and a control group of women who did not play tennis.

Background: There is a paucity of research describing the relationship between lateral epicondylalgia and strength characteristics of the upper extremity musculature, despite the functional relationship between the shoulder, elbow, and wrist.

Static progressive splinting to improve wrist stiffness after distal radius fracture: a prospective, case series study.

This is the first prospective consecutive case series study that has examined the effectiveness of static progressive splinting in the management of persistent wrist stiffness following distal radius fracture. Eight patients, seven females and one male with a median age of 49 years (range, 43-56 years), participated in the study. Median time from surgical intervention to splint initiation was 77 days (range, 58-148 days).

Changes in impairment and function after static progressive splinting for stiffness after distal radius fracture.

The purpose of this study was to describe changes in range of motion, grip strength, and function in subjects treated with static progressive splinting for stiffness after distal radius fracture. A retrospective review was conducted on 25 patients; outcomes reviewed included wrist/forearm motion, grip strength and Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) scores. The Wilcoxon-Signed Rank test was used to assess differences between pre-/postsplinting outcome measurements.

Risk management strategies in physical therapy: documentation to avoid malpractice.

Purpose: This article aims to highlight the importance of a complete and accurate medical record as it pertains to potential risk exposure in the outpatient physical therapy profession.

Design/methodology/approach: Basic charting rules, correction and alteration recommendations, documentation of telephone conversations, informed consent, exculpatory release forms and incident reports are discussed. Basic risk management strategies are reviewed that may reduce outpatient physical therapy practitioners' malpractice exposure.