Transcript PT for Common Disorders

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Physical therapy aide – assists the PT
How?
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Setups/breakdowns
Massage
Modalities
TE assistance
Patient education
Miscellaneous
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PT = musculoskeletal disorders
PT also = neurological, cardiovascular,
respiratory, & genitourinary disorders,
amputations, burns, dermatological
conditions, and conditions of the eyes, ears,
nose, and throat
The PT Aide must have an understanding of
these conditions in order to help the PT treat
them
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Patient’s report of pain
location/type/occurrence is key to choosing
treatment
Typically:
◦ Pain occurring w/ rest that improves w/ mvmt –
osteoarthritis or mild sprains & strains
◦ Pain occurring w/ weight bearing – static deficiency
or overstraining
◦ Pain occurring immediately after injury - fracture
or major tear of muscle, ligament, or tissue
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Typically –
◦ Pain occurring after an interval – minor sprain or
strain
◦ Pain occurring w/ mvmt of joint; ceasing w/joint at
rest – acute joint disorder/injury or sprain/strain
◦ Pain radiating along a nerve distribution – presence
of a lesion/impingement on a nerve by contracted
muscles
◦ Pain occurring with work activities – injury
sustained as part of the patient’s occupation
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Arthritis/Rheumatic Conditions
◦ Subacutely inflamed joints – Moist or infrared heat,
30 min., 2-3x/day
◦ Acute-stage arthritis – Full ROM 2-3x/day; NO
HEAT
◦ Subacute /chronic stages – Heat (moist, infrared,
paraffin, tub baths, or diathermy), massage, and
TE\s, 1x/day
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Arthritis/Rheumatoid Conditions - Modalities
◦ Heat – used in nonacute phases for comfort and
increased circulation/flexibility
◦ Massage – post acute phases
◦ ROM
 strengthen muscles at a joint and increase joint motion
 Types – PROM, AAROM, AROM, RROM
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Low Back Pain (Lumbago)
◦ Lumbosacral/Sacroiliac strain – generalized low
back pain
◦ Periosteal/Ligamentous tear – hx of
snapping/slipping in back
◦ Mild/chronic arthritis of spine – pain on awakening;
lessens with activity
◦ Defective intervertebral disk (pain w/ sciatica down
leg) – reccurring attacks of pain and tingling;
worsened by sneezing/coughing
◦ Fracture/abscessed vertebrae – localized pain
◦ Poor posture – daytime pain with nighttime
cessation
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Rest w/ postural alignment
Moist heat (Not continuous)
Massage (post acute)
Corrective TEs
◦ Painful during exercise/1-2 hours post exercise is
ok
◦ Painful later that day or the next day is not ok;
exercise duration/intensity/frequency must be
reduced
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Bursitis – inflammation of bursa
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Rest
Ice initially
Infrared heat post inflammatory phase
Massage
PROM, transitioning to AROM
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Cervical Disorders – whiplash, arthritis,
strains/sprains, disk injuries
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Traction (acute, compression, disk injuries)
Moist heat
Massage
Manual therapies
Injections
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Degenerative Joint Disease (OA)
REST
◦ Local – bracing
◦ General – bed rest
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Heat
Massage
TEs
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Cerebrovascular accident (CVA; aka stroke)
resulting in hemiplegia
◦ Needed to prevent/correct deformity, improve
motor function, & help develop the ability to carry
out ADLs
◦ PT includes:
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Positioning therapies (acute)
Heat
Stimulating massage
Movement reeducation
TEs
Training in the use of assistive devices
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Guillain-Barre Syndrome
Condition caused by viral encephalitis
Characterized by fever, pain, weakness, muscle
tenderness, and interruption/lack of motor
reflexes
PT includes:
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PROM TEs (initial)
Breathing exercises (initial)
Positioning exercises (initial)
AROM TEs (post acute)
Gait training
Learning ADLs