Physical Therapy Guide to Achilles Tendinopathy

Achilles tendinopathy is an irritation of the Achilles tendon. Achilles tendon pain is one of the most common types of pain felt behind the heel and up the back of the ankle when walking or running.

Physical Therapy Guide to Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive condition. It damages brain cells and affects how we speak, think, move, and deal with other people. It can lead to a decline in memory and the ability to perform daily activities.

Physical Therapy Guide to Ankle Impingement

Ankle impingement occurs when either soft or bony tissues are compressed within the ankle joint at the extreme end of a motion, such as pointing the foot sharply downward

Physical Therapy Guide to Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an inflammatory disease that causes pain and stiffness in the spine, pelvis, and other joints, like the hips, knees, feet, and shoulders. Physical therapists help people with AS maintain productive lives by working with them to increase their strength, muscle flexibility, and joint mobility, and to improve their posture.

Physical Therapy Guide to Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability. It results in social, communication, and behavior challenges. Symptoms of ASD vary from mild to severe. Physical therapists help children with ASD gain their full potential.

Physical Therapy Guide to Bed Sore (Pressure Ulcer)

A pressure ulcer, sometimes called a "bed sore," is a skin injury that usually happens when people are very ill for a long period of time and are not able to change their position in a bed or a chair. Physical therapists are skilled in wound care.

Physical Therapy Guide to Below-Knee Amputation (Transtibial Amputation)

Transtibial amputation, or below-knee amputation, is a surgical procedure performed to fully remove a lower limb that has been damaged due to trauma, congenital defect, or disease.

Physical Therapy Guide to Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is an inner-ear problem that causes short periods of dizziness when your head is moved in certain positions. Most cases of BPPV can be managed with treatment by a physical therapist.

Physical Therapy Guide to Biceps Tendon Rupture

A biceps tendon rupture occurs when the biceps muscle is torn from the bone at the point of attachment (tendon) to the shoulder or elbow.

Physical Therapy Guide to Bunion (Hallux Valgus)

A bunion (hallux valgus) is a bony bump on the side of the foot that develops at the base of the big toe.

Physical Therapy Guide to Cancer

Cancer is the growth of abnormal cells in the body that causes destruction of normal, healthy cells. Cancer, and the treatments for it, can cause physical problems such as pain, numbness, swelling, weakness, loss of balance, and difficulty moving or walking. Physical therapists help people manage cancer-related problems, improve their health and functional abilities, and return to work and other activities.

Physical Therapy Guide to Cerebral Palsy

Cerebral palsy is a term that describes a group of disorders affecting the normal development of movement and posture. CP is caused by injury to the brain that occurs before, during, or up to two years after birth. These injuries can include infection, stroke, trauma, or the loss of oxygen. Damage to the brain does not get worse after the initial injury. However, the ability to do day-to-day activities that are affected by the injury can worsen as a person grows. Physical therapists are experts in helping people with CP improve their physical functions.

Physical Therapy Guide to Childhood Leukemia

Leukemia, a cancer of blood-forming cells, is the most common cancer diagnosis in children. Physical therapists help children with childhood leukemia maintain strength and function, and reduce some of the effects of cancer treatment.

Physical Therapy Guide to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) causes breathing difficulty and leads to other systemic problems. Physical therapists can work with your pulmonary rehabilitation team or with you individually to help improve your exercise capacity, overall strength, and health and quality of life.

Physical Therapy Guide to Collarbone Fracture (Clavicle Fracture)

Clavicle fracture is a common shoulder injury, making up 4% of all fracture types and 35% of all shoulder injuries.

Physical Therapy Guide to Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)

CRPS generally arises from a minor injury, such as a scrape, sprain, or strain and can result in the syndrome that is defined as being complex, regional (symptoms are generally in 1 region of the body), and painful. A multi-disciplinary approach to treatment is currently recommended, consisting of care from physicians, psychologists, and physical therapists.

Physical Therapy Guide to Container Baby Syndrome

A “container baby” is a newborn baby or young infant who is placed in a container, such as a car seat or stroller, for an excessive amount of time in a given day. A physical therapist can design an individualized treatment plan to address the problems of a container baby, and help build strength, restore movement, and address skeletal deformities.

Physical Therapy Guide to Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Cubital tunnel syndrome is the second most common nerve compression occurring in the arm. (Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common.)

Physical Therapy Guide to De Quervain’s Tendinitis

De Quervain’s (dih-kwer-VAINS) tendinitis is a condition that causes pain and tenderness at the thumb side of the wrist, at the base of the thumb and forearm. Your physical therapist will review and evaluate how you use your hand and wrist for functional activity. Your physical therapist will try to help you identify what activities or positions that you use that may contribute to the problem

Physical Therapy Guide to Developmental Coordination Disorder

Developmental coordination disorder affects about 5% to 6% of school-aged children. More than 1 million children in the U.S. have the disorder. Children with DCD have a hard time with activities requiring movement skills and coordination, like riding a bike, playing sports, and skipping, running, or jumping. They may take longer to finish school tasks, such as handwriting or using objects like crayons. Physical therapists help children with DCD improve their muscle strength, coordination, and balance, and help them learn skills to better participate in school and childhood activities.

Physical Therapy Guide to Diabetes

In diabetes, the body does not produce or properly use insulin. Physical therapists help people with diabetes improve or avoid related problems, and can teach sedentary people how to add physical activity to their daily lives in safe, effective, and enjoyable ways.

Physical Therapy Guide to Discoid Meniscus

A discoid meniscus is an abnormally shaped piece of cartilage in the knee joint. Approximately 3% to 5% of the United States population are born with a discoid meniscus. Physical therapists diagnose and treat discoid meniscus before and/or after any surgery needed.

Physical Therapy Guide to Down Syndrome

Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder in which babies are born with an extra copy of chromosome 21. Physical therapists work with individuals with Down syndrome from infancy through adulthood to help them function at their maximum potential and lead healthy, productive lives.

Physical Therapy Guide to Elbow Fracture

An elbow fracture is a bone break that occurs in the middle of the arm, in the area of the elbow joint.

Physical Therapy Guide to Female Athlete Triad

Female athlete triad (triad) is a syndrome that can manifest across a broad spectrum, but involves the interrelationship between 3 measurable factors: (1) how much energy a woman has available to use for activity (energy availability), (2) the quality and strength of her bones (bone mineral density), and (3) her menstrual cycle.