Patient Education
JOSPT PERSPECTIVES FOR PATIENTS offers clinicians and patients a credible source of new information derived from a published article and explains how it affects patient care. Perspectives for Patients is written for the lay person, and consists of 3 main sections—a summary of the pathology or healthcare condition addressed in the research, new insights from the published study, and practical advice the patient can use—accompanied by 1 or more illustrations.
Designed and written through a collaboration of the Journal's editors and staff in an effort to best translate research into practical information for both clinicians and patients, Perspectives for Patients is a public service of JOSPT. This single-page feature makes clear that the information and recommendations presented are intended as a guide only and are not a substitute for seeking proper advice for health conditions.
JOSPT Perspectives for Patients may be photocopied noncommercially by physical therapists and other healthcare providers to share with patients.
Available Perspectives for Patients articles are listed below:
Perspectives for Patients
Frozen shoulder, also known as adhesive capsulitis, refers to a condition where the shoulder becomes painful and stiff. It may occur following a relatively minor injury to the shoulder but most often develops without a clear reason, and the problem usually lasts 1 to 2 years. Recently, a panel of experts developed a set of treatment guidelines for improving the quality of care for people with frozen shoulder. These guidelines are published in the May 2013 issue of JOSPT.
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2013;43(5):351. doi:10.2519/jospt.2013.0503
KEY WORDS: adhesive capsulitis, clinical practice guidelines
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Perspectives for Patients
Neck pain is very common, but the good news is that most neck pain is not caused by serious disease. “Mechanical neck pain” is the name healthcare professionals use when joint and muscle problems result in neck pain. Current evidence suggests that a combination of manual therapy and exercise is effective for patients with mechanical neck pain. A research report published in the March 2013 issue of JOSPT focused on finding which combination of exercise and manual therapy was more effective in quickly reducing neck pain.
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2013;43(3):128. doi:10.2519/jospt.2013.0502
KEY WORDS: cervical spine, manipulation, manipulative therapy, mechanical neck pain, mobilization, thoracic spine
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Perspectives for Patients
Weak hip muscles lead to poor hip motion, and poor hip motion can cause knee, hip, and back pain. By exercising to strengthen the hip muscles that control how your hip moves, you can reduce your pain in these parts of your body. However, it is often difficult to strengthen these muscles without also strengthening a muscle called the tensor fascia lata, which is located toward the front of the hip. Too much activation of that muscle may create unwanted hip motion that may worsen knee, hip, or back pain. A study published in the February 2013 issue of JOSPT provides information intended to help physical therapists and their patients select exercises that target the buttock muscles without causing other unwanted muscle actions.
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2013;43(2):65. doi:10.2519/jospt.2013.0501
KEY WORDS: buttock muscles, gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, tensor fascia lata
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Perspectives for Patients
Feelings or thoughts of depression may be associated with a muscle or joint injury. When pain and depressive symptoms occur together, they can produce long-lasting problems. It can be difficult to know if these thoughts and feelings are caused by the pain or some other issue. Physical therapists focus on treating musculoskeletal problems; however, for some patients, depressed feelings may ease with treatment designed to decrease pain and improve function. Other patients may require specialized treatment for symptoms of depression in addition to physical therapy. This is especially true when depressed thoughts and feelings persist, pain has not resolved, and return to work has not been achieved. A study published in the November 2012 issue of JOSPT evaluated the change in feelings or thoughts of depression during physical therapy and how it relates to a person’s work status 1 year later.
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2012;42(11):968. doi:10.2519/jospt.2012.0507
KEY WORDS: depressed feelings, depressive symptoms, pain
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Perspectives for Patients
Ignoring symptoms of a concussion and continuing to play after receiving a blow or jolt to the head can be dangerous, make symptoms worse, and delay recovery. Repeated concussions can lead to a longer recovery and may result in long-term problems. Screening tools include checklists of symptoms or quick tests that can help detect a concussion. A study published in the July 2012 issue of used these screening tools to measure changes in player function both before and after a football season.
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2012;42(7):633. doi:10.2519/jospt.2012.0506
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Perspectives for Patients
Pain under the kneecap, also known as anterior knee pain or patellofemoral pain, is one of the most common reasons why active people seek healthcare. Recently, a panel of 50 experts from 9 countries gathered in Belgium to discuss the potential causes of and best treatments for this condition. A synopsis of this meeting is published in the June 2012 issue of JOSPT and provides new insights and discussion of evidence-based treatments for those who have knee pain.
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2012;42(6):573. doi:10.2519/jospt.2012.0505
KEY WORDS: patellofemoral pain, PFP
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Perspectives for Patients
Aquatic physical therapy is a form of physical therapy performed in a pool. Exercising in water can be helpful in improving function, fitness, balance, coordination, flexibility, and strength. A study published in the May 2012 issue of JOSPT provides new insights on water's ability to decrease the load sustained by a runner, based on the depth of water in which the individual is running.
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2012;42(5):445. doi:10.2519/jospt.2012.0504
KEY WORDS: joint stress, pain, stationary running
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Perspectives for Patients
Low back pain is so common that 8 of 10 people experience it at some time in their lives. Although the pain in your back may be severe, most low back pain is not due to a serious problem. There are many risk factors that increase the chances of getting low back pain. As we get older, we often feel more back pain due to weakened muscles and stiffening joints. New clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of low back pain were published in the April 2012 issue of JOSPT. The guidelines describe ways to treat back pain based on best research evidence.
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2012;42(4):381. doi:10.2519/jospt.2012.0503
KEY WORDS: exercise, LBP, manual therapy
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Perspectives for Patients
Anterior knee pain often causes athletes to seek medical care. Healthcare providers usually call persistent pain at the front of your knee or under your kneecap patellofemoral pain syndrome. This pain is typically unrelated to a specific injury, but instead occurs over time with an increase in physical activity. The first step toward preventing this type of knee pain is being able to accurately identify potential risk factors that may lead to the problem. A study published in the February 2012 issue of JOSPT provides new insight on specific factors that may place you at risk for anterior knee pain.
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2012;42(2):95. doi:10.2519/jospt.2012.0502
KEY WORDS: patellofemoral pain syndrome, prevention, quadriceps muscle
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Perspectives for Patients
Neck pain is very common and fortunately resolves quickly in most individuals. However, in certain cases neck pain can last longer and result in chronic pain, limited neck motion, and disability. In fact, chronic neck pain is the second leading cause of workers’ compensation claims in the United States. Treatments that can quickly reduce pain, increase motion, and improve the ability of the muscles to protect the neck may help decrease long-term disability associated with neck pain. A variety of manual therapy treatments are currently used to manage neck pain. These treatments include mobilization, which slowly and repeatedly moves the neck joints and muscles, and manipulation, which delivers a single, small, quick movement to the joints and muscles. A research report published in the January 2012 issue of JOSPT examines the outcomes of these 2 treatment methods and draws conclusions about which one is best.
J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2012;42(1):21. doi:10.2519/jospt.2012.0501
KEY WORDS: cervical spine, mobilization, spinal manipulation, thoracic spine
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