Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Vestibular Disorders And Rehabilitation, Stephanie Ann Jones

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The management of patients with vestibular disorders is a formidable problem. Many individuals present to their physician with symptoms of loss of balance and dizziness. A major contributor to sustaining proper upright balance, the vestibular system, consists of a complex network of fluid-filled canals and organs which aid in orientation of the head to vertical and provide information on head movements. The vestibular system is also involved in the sensation and perception of motion and position. Peripheral vestibular dysfunctions, which involve the vestibular organs and/or nerve, can produce a variety of signs and symptoms.

Physical therapy is a key discipline …

The Effects Of Botulinum Toxin Injections On Function In Patients With Spasticity, Leann Pippen

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Spasticity can be one of the most challenging problems for patients with neurologic conditions such as cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, cerebrovascular accidents, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injuries, etc. It can lead to a wide variety of problems including decreased mobility, decreased quality of movement, interference with normal postural reactions, interference with functional activities, and pressure sores. Therefore, the medical community has focused on effective treatments for spasticity which do not produce overwhelming weakness, spasticity, paralysis, fatigue, and/or muscle atrophy. Since the late 1970's, the use of botulinum toxin (BTX-A) injections to decrease spasticity has been investigated.

The purpose of …

Musicians And Performance Related Injuries To The Hand, Leona Pang

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Musicians spend a great amount of energy and time preparing for auditions, competitions, performances, and recitals. The process of developing techniques and learning musical pieces requires practice sessions filled with long hours of repeating musical passages and awkward upper extremity positions. Performance related injuries often result from these conditions. Injuries include joint disorders, musculotendinous disorders, muscle cramps and pain disorders, neurological disorders, and focal dystonia or occupational palsy disorders. Pain, numbness, tingling, muscle cramping, and motor dysfunctions are associated symptoms. If symptoms are ignored and intense performance is continued, the musician can experience tissue damage and permanent loss of function. …

A Review Of Bell's Palsy, Jodi Spicer

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Bell's Palsy is an acute unilateral weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles resulting from peripheral facial nerve dysfunction. Bell's Palsy is the most common cause of unilateral facial weakness. Since idiopathic facial paralysis was first diagnosed, several treatment options have been tried in an effort to influence early and full recovery. The role of physical therapy in the treatment of Bell's Palsy is to exercise the muscle in an attempt to keep the denervated muscle healthy while the injured axons regenerate and reinnervate the muscle. The natural course of Bell's Palsy is a spontaneous return of function in 71 …

Applications Of Iontophoresis And Phonophoresis, Craig Hahn

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Many different drugs are used topically for treatment by the medical field. The benefit of some of these drugs can be enhanced by the use of ultrasound (phonophoresis) or electric current (iontophoresis). These methods have been used for many years by such disciplines as ophthalmology, dermatology, dentistry as well as physical therapy. With the inherent risks of blood borne pathogens, these methods are a great alternative to the injection of drugs into the system.

The purpose of this paper is to review the literature regarding iontophoresis and phonophoresis and present the results as a guide for the practicing physical therapist. …

Crossing The Language Barrier In Physical Therapy Practice, Nancy Ann Feist

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Physical therapists provide health care services to a diverse range of patient populations. Members of these populations may differ in language or culture from the therapists who treat them. If a language barrier is present, vital communication is lost, and there is interference with the implementation of effective physical therapy.

Options in overcoming language barriers include a language assistance department, a bilingual staff directory, a telephone interpreter service, and an outside interpreter. Limitations of these options exist that can lead to ineffective treatment.

This project makes one further option available. This option is translated written material and audiotapes. This project …

A Review Of Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, Jill C. Ballan

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) is the most common pediatric rheumatoid disease in North America. and a principle cause of childhood disability. The disease course is unremitting in up to a quarter of the children with JRA, and a small percentage will grow-up with severe functional disabilities.. Physical and occupational therapy, along with prescribed drug and orthopedic provisions, are important in the management of JRA. The therapists, and other medical professionals involved, work toward the following goals: decreasing joint inflammation, relieving pain, achieving or maintaining an optimal level of function, and educating the patient and family on the disease course and …

Patellofemoral Joint Mechanics And Their Clinical Relevance, William S. Hokanson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Patellofemoral joint dysfunction is a common ailment affecting one in four of the general population and 30% of the athletic population. Patellofemoral dysfunction may stem from a number of different clinical diagnoses. The most common of these is chondromalacia patella. The term chondromalacia patella, however, refers only to a softening or fissuring of the retropatellar surface of the patella and cannot be used to diagnose all patellofemoral pain. Clinical diagnosis is sometimes very difficult because these patients present with a number of vague and nonspecific signs and symptoms.

The purpose of this literature review is to offer a clear, concise …

A Review Of The Causes And Treatment Of Low Back Pain During Pregnancy, Dana Krenzel

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Pregnancy is a time of great musculoskeletal change for a woman. Complaints of low back pain are a very common occurrence at this time. Many women regard this type of pain as a normal adjunct to pregnancy. However, most types of low back pain related to pregnancy are either treatable or avoidable. Mechanical, hormonal, and vascular factors may all contribute to low back pain. Differentiation of these different causes of low back pain is crucial to providing the patient with effective intervention plans. Physical therapists can provide evaluation, treatment, and low back pain management techniques to the expectant mother. Exercise, …

Meniscal Substitution: A Literature Review, Kerry L. Muir

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

With the increased awareness that meniscectomy results in degenerative changes in the knee joint, research is now aimed at substituting the meniscus that had been previously removed. Surgical attempts at replacing the meniscus include the use of autografts, allografts, and artificial synthetic prosthesis.

This paper will review the available literature regarding each type of meniscal substitute. Surgical procedures, results, and considerations relating to the different substitutes will be examined.

While studies indicate that meniscal transplantation is technically feasible, the long-term results are unknown. More research is necessary to determine if meniscal substitutes can survive for a prolonged time and function …

An Overview In The Ergonomics Of An Office Computer Workstation, James H. Matetich

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Ergonomics is an applied science concerned with adapting a workplace environment to match the capabilities of a worker and ensure the worker's safety. The study of ergonomics is one of increasing interest to American business. Specifically, the ergonomics of the office computer workstation has come under growing scrutiny due to a tremendous rise in the reported incidence of work related injuries. Workers, in this work environment, appear to be at a greater risk of injuries to the back, neck, shoulder, forearm, wrist, hand, and leg. These injuries, classified as cumulative trauma disorders or CTDs, can be attributed to ergonomic hazards …