Ilial anterior rotation hypermobility in a female collegiate tennis player.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This case report describes the examination, evaluation, and intervention by a physical therapist for a female collegiate tennis player with a right ilial anterior rotation hypermobility. CASE DESCRIPTION: The patient was a 21-year-old, female collegiate tennis player who developed a right anterior ilial rotation hypermobility as a result of her tennis stroke. Functional limitations were related to sitting, squatting, gait, and playing tennis. Treatment interventions consisted of massage, joint manipulation, stretching, stabilization exercises, sport-specific exercises and modification of tennis stroke, proprioceptive taping, and the use of a sacroiliac belt. OUTCOMES: After 26 weeks (33 treatments), tissue tenderness of the sacroiliac joint region was normalized, pelvic/trunk and lower-extremity mobility and flexibility were restored, sacroiliac symmetry and stability were regained, and the patient achieved her goal of returning to competitive tennis at the collegiate level. DISCUSSION: The patient's right ilial anterior rotation hypermobility was directly related to the mechanics of her tennis stroke. Her outcomes suggest that rehabilitation should focus on the entire abdomino-sacro-pelvic-hip complex, addressing articular, neural, and muscular inhibitions and deficiencies.

Does requiring continuing education units for professional licensing renewal assure quality patient care?

Although most states in the United States require health care professionals to complete continuing education units (CEUs) for licensure renewal, little evidence to date has established a relationship between completing CEUs and clinical competency. Considering the high cost of health care delivery and services, it would be prudent for both managers and consumers of health care to review the costs and benefits of requiring CEUs for professional licensing renewal. This study features an extensive review of the literature to analyze the supportive as well as the opposing views of mandatory CEUs for professional license renewal. Most of the studies reviewed reported almost no relationship between participation in traditional continuing education courses and improved patient outcomes. Several recommendations evolved out of this study for improving patient outcomes following the attendance of continuing education courses.

Radiographic analysis of intervertebral separation with a 0 degrees and 30 degrees rope angle using the Saunders cervical traction device.

STUDY DESIGN: Radiographic analysis of cervical intervertebral separation, (IVS) while using the Saunders Cervical Traction Device (SCTD) (Chattanooga Corp., Chattanooga, TN) on a healthy population. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a rope angle of 0 degrees or 30 degrees achieves higher posterior and anterior IVS when using the SCTD. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: To our knowledge, research using a 0 degrees rope angle and the SCTD has not been documented. METHODS: A convenience sample of 15 females and 5 males, with no history of cervical dysfunction, trauma, or pain, participated in the study. Static mechanical cervical traction, using the SCTD at a 0 degrees rope angle, was applied for 2 minutes using 11.34 kg (25 lb) of force. A cross-table lateral cervical spine radiograph was obtained before traction and again at 2 minutes of traction. Two weeks later, the subjects underwent the same procedure with the rope angle set at 30 degrees . RESULTS: A 0 degrees rope angle produced a significant mean difference in anterior IVS at all cervical segments as compared to a 30 degrees rope angle. Traction measurements comparing posterior IVS at 0 degrees and 30 degrees were not statistically significant. However, the posterior IVS increased significantly at a 0 degrees rope angle, with the exception of C2-C3. CONCLUSIONS: The research findings may have treatment implications when applying cervical traction with the SCTD. Further research using subjects with cervical nerve root compression will need to be conducted to substantiate clinical outcomes.