Arthrogenic Muscle Inhibition (AMI) Persistent weakness in the quadriceps muscles and limited knee extension following knee injuries/surgeries stem from distinct changes in neural excitability; a phenomenon referred to as arthrogenic muscle inhibition (AMI). Comprehension of the pathophysiology underlying AMI is essential to the physical therapist as it serves as a compass for therapeutic interventions. Several […]

    A Baker’s cyst (also known as popliteal cyst) is a fluid-filled sac that forms in the popliteal fossa, which is located on the posterior aspect of the knee.  It was named after Dr. William Morrant Baker, the 19th century surgeon who first described it.     A Baker’s cyst can develop when there […]

ACL Injury Risk ACL injuries are common in sports such as basketball, soccer, football, and many other sports. ACL injuries can lead to future problems for young athletes.  Besides the possibility of having to set out an entire season due to surgery and rehabilitation, ACL injuries can impact scholarship opportunities, athletic performance, academic performance, and […]

 Physical Therapy Innovations’ Training Can Help You Return to Sport Have you had an orthopedic injury/surgery such as a knee, shoulder, elbow, or ankle injury?  Did you attend traditional physical therapy, but are not 100% after discharge?  Did your physical therapist provide you with sport specific training to prepare you for return to your sport(s)? […]

Knee osteoarthritis is an extremely common disorder that involves the cartilage in a knee joint. In a normal knee, the ends of each bone are covered by cartilage, a smooth substance that protects the bones from one another and absorbs shock during impact. In knee osteoarthritis, this cartilage becomes stiff and loses its elasticity, which […]

Prior to utilizing jump training/testing, the physical therapist (PT) must understand the difference between vertical and horizontal jump performance following ACLR. Initiated at the appropriate time, jump training/testing should be included throughout rehabilitation following ACL reconstruction (ACLR) or ACL injury to allow physical therapists to monitor and document the changes in physical competency throughout the […]

The ACL, or the Anterior Cruciate Ligament, is an important ligament that functions as a knee stabilizer.  Unfortunately, ACL injuries are very common, with between 100,000 to 200,000 occurring each year. ACL injuries often lead to surgery, an end to a season, and up to a year spent in rehabilitation to safely return to sport. […]

WHAT IS PATELLOFEMORAL PAIN SYNDROME (PFPS)? PFPS is a term used for pain in and around the patella (kneecap). “Patellofemoral pain syndrome” is an umbrella term encompassing a number of conditions, making it inappropriate and useless to offer generic “treatment options for PFPS.”  It is important to seek medical advice to determine as specific a […]

The Meniscus Anatomy The knee is a hinged joint made up of your thigh bone (femur) and your shin bone (tibia). The ends of the bones are covered with a smooth surface called articular cartilage (Fig 1). When this surface cartilage wears out it is called arthritis. Fig 1 The meniscus is a C shaped […]

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries are quite common in sports, but what happens after the injury? A majority of ACL injuries occur without contact from another player, but rather with cutting or pivoting activity.  While this type of injury can be devastating, the good news is we have seen patients come back to that same […]