What is Orthopaedic Physical Therapy?

Orthopaedic physical therapy is a specialized field focused on treating musculoskeletal injuries and conditions across a wide range of ages and activity levels. Whether it's recovering from shoulder surgery, managing chronic joint pain, or addressing general weakness and difficulty walking, orthopedic physical therapists play a vital role in helping individuals regain mobility, reduce pain, and improve their quality of life.

In orthopaedic physical therapy, therapists utilize a variety of techniques tailored to each patient's specific needs. This may include manual therapy to improve joint mobility and reduce stiffness, therapeutic exercises to strengthen muscles and improve flexibility, and functional training to enhance balance and coordination. Additionally, modalities such as electrical stimulation, and heat or cold therapy may be used to manage pain and inflammation.

What is Sports Physical Therapy?

Sports physical therapy is a specialized branch of physical therapy focused on the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions, particularly those related to sports and physical activity. This field encompasses a wide range of injuries, including fractures, sprains, strains, tendonitis, and post-operative rehabilitation following orthopaedic surgeries such as ACL reconstruction or joint replacement.

Additionally, sports physical therapists play a crucial role in injury prevention and performance enhancement for athletes of all levels. They work closely with athletes to assess movement patterns, identify areas of weakness or dysfunction, and develop customized training programs to optimize performance and reduce the risk of injury.