New Research Show Arthroscopic Knee Surgery No Better Than Physical Therapy, Medical Management:
New England Journal of Medicine Study Questions Value of Knee Surgery..
A new study questioning the usefulness of arthroscopic surgery for
osteoarthritis of the knee should encourage patients to consider physical
therapy as an effective non-surgical option, according to the American Physical
Therapy Association (APTA). The study was published in the September 11 issue
of the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM).
The study found that knee surgery is no better than physical therapy,
combined with comprehensive medical management, at relieving the pain and
stiffness of moderate to severe osteoarthritis of the knee.
"This study offers hope and encouragement to persons with
osteoarthritis who would like to avoid the pain and emotional toll of
surgery," said APTA President R Scott Ward, PT, PhD. "Too often, the
first line of defense is surgery when it need not always be. Physical therapy
can be equally effective and should be considered by not only patients
themselves, but also the primary care doctors and orthopedists who are treating
them."
According to physical therapist Christopher M Powers, PhD, PT,....
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Warm-Up Programs Help Reduce Female Soccer ACL Injuries
Several years ago, the American Physical Therapy Association
(APTA) began urging female athletes - particularly soccer players - to consider
a new warm-up program to help lower their growing risk of anterior cruciate
ligament (ACL) injuries.
Concurring with a study published in the American Journal of
Medicine, APTA say specialized stretching, strengthening, agility, and jumping
exercises could lower the overall ACL injury rate among female athletes.
The study evaluated outcomes of NCAA Division 1 female
soccer players who performed the Prevent Injury, Enhance Performance (PEP)
program, designed by physical therapists at Santa Monica Orthopedic and Sports
Medicine Group. Those who performed the PEP program had an overall ACL injury
rate 41% lower than a group of female athletes who did their regular warm-up.
This was one of the largest studies conducted in the NCAA with 1,435 athletes
participating.
The PEP program, one example of the many physical
therapy-based programs..
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