Specialty Programs
What is Certified Hand Therapy?
Hand Therapy is the comprehensive treatment of the elbow, wrist and hand designed and delivered by a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT)
A CHT is an Occupational or Physical therapist who has undergone extensive testing and training to obtain the highest professional credential in the specialty of upper extremity rehabilitation.
Common problems managed by CHT’s include but are not limited to: fractures, tendon injuries. nerve compressions/injuries (carpal tunnel), burns, arthritis, tendonitis, sprains and strains, tumors/cysts and amputations.
We all value the use of our hands as they are our connection to the world. Whether it is for our occupation or to simply touch, hold and feel, any loss of function can be devastating.
Those who are seen at OSPTA for Certified Hand Therapy can be assured that they are being treated by a therapist who remains current in the latest therapeutic techniques and have committed themselves to maintain the highest standard of care in their profession.
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Specialized physical therapy for the workplace. Includes: Ergonomic Assessments, Job Analysis, Injury Prevention Programs, Workers' Compensation Services, Pre-Employment/Post-Offer Screening, Functional Capacity Evaluations, and Work Conditioning.
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Pilates-Based Physical Therapy involves the integration of Pilates exercises and principles with traditional physical therapy methods. In the hands of a licensed Physical Therapist, these exercises are very versatile and adaptive and can be used to effectively treat patients regardless of age, ability, or fitness level.
THE KEY TO PREVENTION OF SERIOUS KNEE LIGAMENT INJURIES IN FEMALE ATHLETES
THE PROBLEM
In the female athlete, approximately 70% of serious knee injuries occur during non-contact events such as landing from a jump, or from a twisting /turning movement when a sudden knee imbalance occurs. The athlete must react quickly with control, coordination, and normal muscle strength. If this doesn’t occur, a giving way at the knee will occur. Many of the non-contact injuries are preventable, while contact injuries with an opponent are less preventable.
STATISTICS
Anterior cruciate ligament injuries occur 4-6 times more frequently in female athletes than in male athletes. One in every 10 college female athletes and one in every 100 high school athletes will sustain a serious knee injury every year.
THE CAUSE
Several theories have been discussed regarding the discrepancy between male and female knee injury rates. The majority of the research has concentrated on the following areas:
STRUCTURAL/ANATOMICAL THEORIES
FEMALES HAVE A WIDER PELVIS AND GREATER Q-ANGLE.
FEMALES HAVE GREATER JOINT LAXITY
FEMALES HAVE A NARROW INTERCONDYLAR NOTCH
HORMONAL-ESTROGEN THEORIES
FEMALES HAVE A COLLAGEN STRENGTH DEFICIT
CHANGES IN HORMONAL LEVELS AFFECT JOINT LAXITY
TRAINING DIFFERENCES
FEAMALE ATHLETES TRAIN DIFFERENTLY THAN THEIR MALE COUNTERPART
FEMALE ATHLETES HAVE WEAKER HAMSTRINGS THAN MALES
TRAINING TECHNIQUES DIFFER IN FEMALE ATHLETICS
THE SPORTSMETRICS SOLUTION
After years of research, Cincinnati Sportsmedicine Research and Education have developed a program to specifically provide the training, coordination, balance, and strength to the lower extremities and knee joint.
At Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy Associates, our therapists will design an exercise program to help prevent the female athlete from suffering this devastating knee injury.
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Vestibular dysfunction is seen in people of all ages. Typical symptoms seen with vestibular disorders are dizziness with lightheadedness (feelings of disorientation), vertigo (feeling the movement of spinning), poor balance, vomiting, nausea, and headache. Common diagnoses seen with such symptoms are benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), Meniere’s disease, bilateral vestibulopathy, perilymph fistula, cervical vertigo, head injury, labyrinth concussion, stroke, multiple sclerosis, and labyrinthitis.
Differential diagnosis is critical to a patient with the symptoms of dizziness. A person will need to undergo a diagnostic evaluation of the vestibular system. Some common tests performed are: the caloric test, a rotary chair test, visual-vestibular interaction rotary test, and dynamic posturography. These various vestibular tests will help measure and identify whether the problem is a central or peripheral disorder of the vestibular system. This will help the doctor/therapist determine a treatment plan and goals.
Vestibular rehabilitation is an exercise approach to manage persistent symptoms of dizziness and disequlibrium in people with vestibular dysfunction. A thorough clinical exam is performed. An appropriate rehabilitation program is developed to address the impairments detected from the exam. Vestibular rehabilitation has shown to improve postural stability, decrease the frequency and intensity of dizziness, improve gait, and improve the ability to cope with the symptoms.
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Urinary Incontinence
Is defined as leakage of urine at an undesirable time and without control. Other results of incontinence can be bladder urgency and frequency. Causes of incontinence are pregnancy, weakness of the pelvic floor musculature and surgery. This can be effectively treated in physical therapy utilizing pelvic floor muscular re-education, bladder re-training, patient education, electrical stimulation and an individualized home exercise program. Each patient must have been evaluated by a gynecologist within 6 months of treatment. A complete physical examination is performed including the low back, lower extremity strength/flexibility, abdominal strength and external/internal examination of the pelvic floor musculature. After examination an individualized treatment program is designed to best help them to achieve a life free of incontinence. All treatments are one on one and in a private, comfortable room.
Pelvic Floor Pain Disorders
Patients with a diagnosis of vulvodynia, dyspareunia, vaginismus and a variety of other pain disorders of the pelvic floor can also be effectively treated with physical therapy. Again an extensive physical examination including internal assessment of the pelvic floor musculature is performed. Then an individualized treatment including myofascial release of the pelvic floor muscles, dilators, ultrasound, biofeedback, home exercise program and muscular re-education can be utilized to eliminate/decrease symptoms of pain.
What is Lymphedema?
Lymphedema is the swelling of a body part – most commonly an arm or a leg. This swelling is due to an accumulation of protein rich edema fluid in the tissue spaces under the skin. Lymphedema may occur days, months, or years after cancer surgery or at the onset of obstruction of the lymphatic system. Lymphedema is not curable.
Primary Lymphedema may be present at birth, but it more often develops later in life without obvious cause. All other causes of swelling must be ruled out before this diagnosis is made.
Secondary Lymphedema is much more common, and is most likely the result of surgical removal of the lymph nodes due to cancer. Secondary forms may also occur after injury, scarring, trauma, chronic venous insufficiency or infection of the lymphatic system.
How is Lymphedema Treated?
Lymphedema is treated with Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) by a certified lymphedema therapist. CDT is divided into 2 phases: Treatment (Phase I) and Independent Self Care (Phase II). Treatment consists of:
· Meticulous skin and nail care
· Manual lymph drainage – specialized manual techniques to move the fluid
· Compression bandaging – with short stretch bandages that have a high working pressure and a low resting pressure
· Remedial exercises – increasing lymph drainage by activating the muscle pump
· Self care training – instruction in independent management