Exploring the integration of diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging into clinical practice by physical therapists.

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSK-US) use for diagnostic purposes is expanding in physical therapy practice. Identifying and describing physical therapy-specific approaches to incorporating MSK-US into the evaluation process is needed. Musculoskeletal ultrasound extends the physical exam to allow clinicians to visualize anatomy and pathophysiology both statically and dynamically. Purpose: To document 1) weekly use of diagnostic MSK-US; and 2) clinical reasoning approach used in challenging patient cases by physical therapists (PTs) registered by Inteleos in musculoskeletal sonography (RMSK-certified). METHODS: Longitudinal, observational, cohort study using mixed methods for data collection and analysis. All 23 currently RMSK-certified PTs using MSK-US in clinical practice across the United States were contacted, and 16 participated. Data were collected using an online survey created with the Research Electronic Data Capture System. Participants documented MSK-US clinical use and significant cases using weekly, reflective, online journals for three months. Demographic data were summarized using descriptive statistics. Case data were analyzed thematically. RESULTS: Participating RMSK-certified PTs performed 1110 MSK-US examinations over 110 weeks. Clinicians averaged 7 (range 1-25) MSK-US examinations weekly, representing 28% of an average caseload. Examinations contributed significant anatomical/ pathological information 100% of the time. The most common joints scanned were the knee (n = 281), shoulder (n = 254), and wrist (n = 228). Case data revealed three themes: 1) augmenting the clinical evaluation to extend or narrow a diagnosis; 2) outcomes guiding action; and 3) lessons learned from clinical findings. CONCLUSION: RMSK-certified PTs regularly used MSK-US to validate and refine their clinical diagnoses and treatment. Ultrasound imaging directly influenced patient care by informing the diagnostic process, guiding treatment, and appropriately identifying referrals.

Mechanical testing of frontal plane adaptability of commercially available prosthetic feet.

Introduction: Prosthetic feet have limited adaptability in the frontal plane. Research shows walking on uneven terrain is difficult for many prosthesis users. A new prosthetic foot, the META Arc, was designed with a polycentric ankle joint that allows relatively free movement in the frontal plane to address this limitation. Previous simulations of the polycentric ankle mechanism found potential benefits such as reduced lateral movement of a proximal mass during forward progress and reduced forces being transferred upward from the ground through the foot. Methods: Standard mechanical testing protocols were used to evaluate the Meta Arc prosthetic foot's performance and six comparable feet commercially available. Results: The results found the META Arc prosthetic foot had increased frontal plane adaptability as well as reduced lateral forces, and reduced inversion eversion moment compared to the six comparison feet on 10-degree cross-slope test conditions. All included prosthetic feet had similar results for the percent of energy return and dynamic force in the sagittal plane. Conclusions: These results suggest the inclusion of the polycentric ankle within the META Arc foot will provide more stability without sacrificing forward walking performance.

Survey of Physical Therapists' Attitudes, Knowledge, and Behaviors Regarding Diagnostic Imaging.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to describe physical therapists' attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors regarding the use of diagnostic imaging. METHODS: Physical therapists in the United States were recruited from July 2018 through May 2019 to complete a web-based, cross-sectional survey. Participants were asked about demographics, their perceived knowledge base and skills for recommending or ordering different imaging modalities, and their behaviors regarding diagnostic imaging. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the participants' demographics and responses to all questions. Chi-square tests were performed to compare responses by characteristics of survey participants and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests to compare levels of agreement. RESULTS: The mean age was 43 years, and of the 739 respondents, 58% (n = 417) were female. Ninety-two percent of respondents (n = 595) reported having recommended diagnostic imaging to another provider at least once. Only 11.6% (n = 75) reported having ever directly ordered diagnostic imaging. Participants' attitudes about their knowledge base and skills for recommending or ordering plain radiographs were stronger compared with any other imaging modalities followed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) over other imaging techniques. Participants' attitudes on recommending plain radiographs or MRI differed by professional education level, board-certification status, fellowship completion, and years since graduation. CONCLUSION: It is common for physical therapists to recommend imaging, but few have directly ordered imaging. Most survey participants believed that they have an adequate knowledge base and skills for recommending and ordering plain radiographs and MRI. IMPACT: These results can serve as a benchmark for future comparison as policies and educations evolve. Understanding physical therapists' attitudes, knowledge, and use of diagnostic imaging is important to inform research, policy, and education.

Participation in active play of children who use lower extremity prostheses: An exploratory questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: Through play, children develop motor, cognitive, social, and other life skills. Play barriers can impede physical and psychosocial benefits. OBJECTIVES: We describe participation in active play, fundamental movement skills, play environment characteristics, and potential play barriers for school-aged children (6-12 years) who use lower extremity prostheses. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional questionnaire study. METHODS: A questionnaire was developed and administered online to parents of children 6-12 years who use lower extremity prostheses. Questions focused on children's valued play activities, participation in active play, fundamental movement skills, body positions for play, and characteristics of play environments. RESULTS: Parents (n = 26) reported their children who use lower extremity prostheses participated in a range of activities including active play (e.g. playgrounds, swimming). Fundamental movement skill limitations were identified (e.g. walking long distances, running fast, hopping on one foot, and skipping). Mobility limitations with floor positions, movement transitions, and uneven or sloped surfaces were reported. Active play with equipment such as roller skating, climbing structures, and bicycling presented challenges. CONCLUSION: Parents of children who use lower extremity prostheses reported participation restrictions associated with mobility limitations, activity type, and built environment characteristics (e.g. surfaces and equipment). Challenges made it difficult for children who use lower extremity prostheses to keep up with peers in schools and communities. Clinical relevance Understanding potential barriers to participation in active play of children who use lower extremity prostheses may contribute to enhanced prosthetic design, rehabilitation strategies, universal design of play and built environments, and improved outcome measures ultimately enabling these children to participate fully in active play in diverse contexts.

High titers of autoantibodies to glutamate decarboxylase in type 1 diabetes patients: epitope analysis and inhibition of enzyme activity.

OBJECTIVE: Autoantibodies to glutamate decarboxylase (GAD65Ab) are found in patients with autoimmune neurological disorders or type 1 diabetes. The correct diagnosis of GAD65Ab-associated neurological disorders is often delayed by the variability of symptoms and a lack of diagnostic markers. We hypothesized that the frequency of neurological disorders with high GAD65Ab titers is significantly higher than currently recognized. METHODS: We analyzed GAD65Ab titer, GAD65 enzyme activity inhibition, and GAD65Ab epitope pattern in a cohort of type 1 diabetes patients (n = 100) and correlated our findings with neurological symptoms and diseases. RESULTS: Overall, 43% (43/100) of patients had detectable GAD65Ab titers (median = 400 U/mL, range: 142-250,000 U/mL). The GAD65Ab titers in 10 type 1 diabetes patients exceeded the 90th percentile of the cohort (2,000-250,000 U/mL). Sera of these 10 patients were analyzed for their GAD65Ab epitope specificity and their ability to inhibit GAD65 enzyme activity in vitro. GAD65Ab of 5 patients inhibited the enzyme activity significantly (by 34-55%). Three patients complained of muscle stiffness and pain, which was documented in 2 of these patients. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our findings, we suggest that neurological disorders with high GAD65Ab titers are more frequent in type 1 diabetes patients than currently recognized.

A transdisciplinary definition of diagnosis.

Diagnosis is a fundamental abstract reasoning concept in healthcare. It forms the foundation for clinical guidelines, evidence-based practice, and healthcare interventions. The definition of diagnosis is evolving in a manner that may change patient care and clinical research. Currently, dictionary definitions of diagnosis fall into two broad categories, those that stress the original etymology and those that are based on classifying the patient problem according to preexisting labels. Many medical diagnoses are not sufficient to justify allied health, profession-specific interventions. Some authors have suggested profession-specific definitions of diagnosis and profession-specific nomenclature. However, a unique set of labels that are insulated from other health professions has been difficult to achieve because of the interdependence of pathology, impairments, and the patient's role in society. Coordinated interdisciplinary or transdisciplinary patient care, including clinical guidelines, and efficient delivery of services necessitate a definition that facilitates communication across health care professions. A solution to this dilemma may be to create a bridge, recognizing the multifactorial etiology of health and professional autonomy while explicitly stating the context of profession-specific interventions as a team approach. I propose that the definition of diagnosis be modified to: "the process of determining mechanisms by which the patient's health condition arises and the conclusions reached by doing so."

Design and fabrication of a passive-function, cylindrical grasp terminal device.

To assist upper extremity amputees with achieving stable grasps of cylindrical tools, this article describes the development and testing of a prosthetic device for recreational kayak paddling. Initial development included participation of a non-amputee expert kayakist. Subsequent testing of the device used a pseudo-prosthesis for testing on a non-amputee subject, followed by qualitative feedback on the device from a unilateral transradial amputee. The device was evaluated by exploring whether subjects could independently don the terminal device, apply the paddle and use it in a pool and on a river. A semi-hinged, two hemi-cylinder sleeve was designed to be fitted onto a kayak paddle. The terminal device's frame, a second (larger) semi-hinged two hemi-cylinder sleeve, attached the device to the prosthesis. This second sleeve had internal edges that prevent lateral shifting. This component allowed smooth paddle rotation while preventing lateral shift and maintaining grasp. The non-amputee subject was successful at donning the pseudo-prosthesis and paddling. Similarly, the amputee subject was also able to don the prosthesis and paddle using the device. The design reported here is a viable option for fabricating a cylindrical grasp, passive function terminal device for kayaking. It is adaptable to other cylindrical grasp functions such as lifting an exercise weight.

Crossed four-bar mechanism for improved prosthetic grasp.

Passive linkages were developed to improve grasp functionality and minimize a prosthetic terminal device's number of user-controlled inputs. The linkages act to stabilize grasped objects and substitute for the palp of normal anatomical fingers. The Southampton Hand Assessment Procedure was used to compare the normal anatomical hand, this prototype, and a commercially available (Hosmer) hook. In testing, prosthetic terminal devices took three times as long as the normal anatomical hand to perform tasks. Nevertheless, heavyweight power and spherical grasps were improved with the use of the new mechanism compared with the commercial hook. Conversely, precision grasps were worsened because of the lack of a high-friction surface on the distal end of the prototype.

Compensatory movements of transradial prosthesis users during common tasks.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have documented motions of the upper limbs of healthy subjects during activities of daily living. The aim of this study was to investigate compensatory motions of the upper extremity and torso during tasks for transradial prosthesis users and to determine if bracing simulates prosthesis use. METHODS: Seven transradial myoelectric prosthesis users and 10 non-amputee volunteers performed four common tasks. Bracing was used to simulate the use of a transradial prosthesis by the non-amputee subjects. Range of motion of the glenohumeral (shoulder) joint, elbow joint and torso were calculated from optical motion analysis data. The motions between the non-braced, braced and transradial prosthesis user groups were statistically compared. Degree of asymmetry between the affected and unaffected arm was computed for the bilateral tasks. FINDINGS: Myoelectric transradial prosthesis users compensate for lack of wrist and forearm movement differently depending on the task. Compensatory motion in torso bending occurs while opening a door. For the box lift task, prosthesis users rely more on the sound arm and torso bending. While drinking from a cup, decreasing flexion of the glenohumeral joint and increasing elbow flexion was shown while using a prosthesis. While turning a steering wheel, prosthesis users are similar to non-amputee subjects. INTERPRETATION: By looking at the compensatory motions caused by limiting forearm and wrist movement, a greater understanding of the problems with transradial prosthetic design can be developed. Although bracing intact subjects showed similar mechanisms of compensation in most tasks, the magnitude of compensation was greater for prosthesis users.

Center of rotation affects abduction range of motion of reverse shoulder arthroplasty.

Although clinical outcomes of the reverse shoulder replacement have noted improvements in pain and function, evaluation of these outcomes reveals concerns regarding progressive scapular notching and variability of functional improvements in range of motion. Therefore, an apparatus was designed to examine differences in abduction range of motion for seven configurations of reverse shoulder arthroplasty. An electronic goniometer was used to measure abduction range of motion, and digital video analysis was used to determine impingement points. Finally, a correlation analysis between range of motion and the effect of changing the center of rotation of the glenosphere was performed. As the center of rotation was moved more lateral from the glenoid, abduction range of motion increased. The greatest range of motion was 97 degrees +/- 0.9 degrees using a glenoid component with a center of rotation offset 10 mm +/- 0.4 mm from the glenoid. The smallest range of motion was 67 degrees +/- 1.8 degrees using a glenosphere with a center of rotation offset 0.5 mm +/- 0.1 mm from the glenoid surface. Range of motion always was limited by impingement points on the scapula. Inferiorly, adduction was limited by impingement on either the inferior scapular border or the glenoid. Superiorly, abduction was limited by impingement on the acromion. A positive linear correlation was found between abduction range of motion and center of rotation offset relative to the glenoid.

Intra- and inter-rater reliability of the anterior atlantodental interval measurement from conventional lateral view flexion/extension radiographs.

An investigation of intra- and inter-rater reliability anterior atlantodental interval (AADI) measurements was conducted using flexion/extension plain radiographs. Flexion and extension lateral radiographs of individuals investigated for atlantoaxial instability were measured for AADI on three occasions. Intra-rater intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated for both flexion (0.99) and extension (0.96). Inter-rater ICCs were 0.93 and 0.84 for flexion and extension, respectively. The AADI measurement proved to be reproducible with a minimal standard of error, between and within raters.

Comparison of home versus physical therapy-supervised rehabilitation programs after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Because of health care funding and policy changes, there is a need to examine the effects of an evolution toward patient-directed (ie, home-based) rehabilitation programs on clinical outcomes of patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. HYPOTHESIS: There will be no difference in the effectiveness of a home-based rehabilitation program and a standard physical therapy-supervised rehabilitation program in patients 3 months after nonacute anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with bone-patellar tendon-bone grafts. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled clinical trial; Level of evidence, 1. METHODS: There were 145 patients (16-59 years) who attended a presurgery education class. Home-based patients attended 4 physical therapy sessions, and physical therapy-supervised patients attended 17 physical therapy sessions over the first 12 weeks after surgery. All patients followed the same standardized rehabilitation program. Study outcome measures included active-assisted knee flexion and passive knee extension range of motion, knee range of motion during walking, KT computerized arthrometer results, and isokinetic quadriceps and hamstrings strength. Patient outcomes were dichotomized as either clinically acceptable or unacceptable. Rehabilitation programs were compared by the proportion of acceptable patients in each group. RESULTS: The home-based group had a significantly higher percentage of patients with acceptable flexion and extension range of motion compared to the standard physical therapy group (flexion, 67% vs 47%; extension, 97% vs 83%). There were no significant differences between the groups in range of motion during walking, ligament laxity, and strength. CONCLUSION: A structured, minimally supervised rehabilitation program was more effective in achieving acceptable knee range of motion in the first 3 months after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction than a standard physical therapy-based program. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Recreational athletes undergoing nonacute anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction can successfully reach acceptable rehabilitation goals in the first 3 months after surgery with a limited number of purposeful physical therapy education sessions, allowing recreational athletes more flexibility when integrating the necessary postoperative rehabilitation into their daily activities.