Survey on Knowledge, Use, and Diagnostic Applicability of Special Tests for Rotator Cuff Involvement in Clinical Practice.

Background: Recently, researchers have commented that shoulder special tests cannot identify the structure causing rotator cuff symptoms and should only be considered pain provocation tests. Others have disagreed, reporting that special tests were able to accurately detect the presence of rotator cuff involvement.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the knowledge, use, and perceived effectiveness of 15 selected special tests utilized to examine patients with possible rotator cuff dysfunction.

TESTING INFRASPINATUS AND DELTOID MUSCLES WITH NEW TECHNIQUE TO DECREASE DELTOID ACTIVITY DURING TESTING USING EMG ANALYSIS.

Background: Muscle strength testing of an injured infraspinatus muscle (IM) is confounded by actions of synergistic muscles such as the posterior deltoid (PD).

Hypothesis/purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe a condition for testing of the IM that results in less EMG activity of the PD musculature. The researchers hypothesized that greater inhibition of the PD could be achieved through active adduction (AA), creating reciprocal inhibition of the PD.

COMPARISON OF DRY NEEDLING VS. SHAM ON THE PERFORMANCE OF VERTICAL JUMP.

Introduction: Dry needling has been reported to decrease pain in subjects having myofascial trigger points, as well as pain in muscle and connective tissue.

Objective: The purpose of the study was to compare the effects on the ability to perform a two-legged vertical jump between a group who received one bout of dry needling and a group who received one bout of a sham treatment.

Methods: Thirty-five healthy students (19 males, 16 females) were recruited to participate in this study (mean age 22.

Test retest reliability and minimal detectable change of a novel submaximal graded exercise test in the measurement of graded exercise test duration.

Measurement of graded exercise test duration is clinically important and can be assessed by maximal graded exercise testing. Yet, limitations of maximal graded exercise testing exist. An alternative to maximal graded exercise testing is submaximal graded exercise testing.

Intrarater reliability of CROM measurement of cervical spine active range of motion in persons with and without neck pain.

Study Design: Clinical measurement, intrarater reliability study.

Objectives: To determine the intrarater reliability of cervical active range of motion (AROM) measurement of subjects with and without neck pain using the cervical range-of-motion device (CROM).

Background: Cervical spine AROM data are used by physical therapists to assist in identifying movement impairment, monitor patient progress, and evaluate the effectiveness of intervention.

Traumatic dislocation of the hip in a high school football player.

Background: Although traumatic dislocation of the hip often occurs as a result of automobile accidents, dislocations have been reported to occur during sports activities.

Objective: Using the experience in treating a 17-year-old high school football player with a posterior dislocation, complicated by involvement of the sciatic nerve, this case report provides background information on hip dislocations and provides a description of the immediate treatment by the physician, followed by 6 weeks of immobilization, and a detailed account of the 5-month intervention.

Case Description: The patient was injured while making a tackle during a high school football game when another player fell on him from behind.

Unique positioning for using elastic resistance band in providing strengthening exercise to the muscles surrounding the ankle.

Ankle sprains are among the most common injuries incurred by participants in athletics. Conservative management of the patient after an ankle sprain includes a comprehensive rehabilitation program of which the resistance exercises are a part and are frequently advised by the clinician, many times as part of a home exercise program. The purpose of this Clinical Suggestion is to present a unique method of using elastic resistance band to provide strengthening activities to the inverters, ever-tors, plantarflexors, and dorsiflexors of the ankle.

Serial casting vs combined intervention with botulinum toxin A and serial casting in the treatment of spastic equinus in children.

Purpose: Serial casting has been an effective tool used by physical therapists to increase ankle dorsiflexion range of motion and improve functional gait. The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine whether injection with botulinum toxin type A (BtA) before serial casting vs serial casting alone was associated with any changes in (1) the number of weeks necessary to reach the desired dorsiflexion range of motion and (2) the number of degrees of dorsiflexion range of motion gained per week of casting.

Method: Data were obtained through review of records maintained on patients undergoing serial casting.

Intrarater reliability of the KT1000 arthrometer in determining anterior translation of the glenohumeral joint.

Objectives: To establish intrarater reliability of the KT1000 arthrometer in determining glenohumeral anterior translation and to determine if a difference existed between measurements of glenohumeral anterior translation in 2 testing positions.

Design: Intrarater reliability study.

Setting: Academic laboratory.

Intrarater reliability of 1 repetition maximum estimation in determining shoulder internal rotation muscle strength performance.

The purpose of this study was to determine intrarater reliability of the 1 repetition maximum (1RM) estimation for shoulder internal rotation. The accuracy of the estimated 1RM was determined by establishing the actual 1RM. Fifteen subjects were positioned supine with the shoulder in 0 degrees abduction (position 1) and prone with the shoulder in 90 degrees abduction (position 2).

Eccentric Training and Static Stretching Improve Hamstring Flexibility of High School Males.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if the flexibility of high-school-aged males would improve after a 6-week eccentric exercise program. In addition, the changes in hamstring flexibility that occurred after the eccentric program were compared with a 6-week program of static stretching and with a control group (no stretching). DESIGN AND SETTING: We used a test-retest control group design in a laboratory setting.

Strapped versus unstrapped technique of the prone press-up for measurement of lumbar extension using a tape measure: differences in magnitude and reliability of measurements.

Objectives: To determine (1) the reliability of the prone press-up to measure lumbar extension using a strap and not using a strap to control pelvic movement in experienced clinicians and students and (2) if a difference exists between the magnitude of lumbar extension range of motion between the strapped and unstrapped condition.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: Academic laboratory.

Use of an inclinometer to measure flexibility of the iliotibial band using the Ober test and the modified Ober test: differences in magnitude and reliability of measurements.

Study Design: Test-retest design to evaluate the reliability of the measurement of iliotibial (IT) band flexibility using an inclinometer to measure the hip adduction angle.

Objectives: The primary objective was to determine the intrarater reliability of the Ober test and the modified Ober test for the assessment of IT band flexibility using an inclinometer to measure the hip adduction angle. A secondary objective was to determine if a difference existed between the measurements of IT band flexibility between the Ober and modified Ober test.