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Go to Return to Sport Functional Tests

What to think about when evaluating and treating a professional athlete: Part 1

8/10/2014

3 Comments

 
Picture
Now that my sports residency has come to an end I have been doing a lot of reflecting lately.  I've thought about what I learned this year and what I still want to learn.  More importantly though, I've thought about what makes evaluating and treating an athlete different than other orthopedic patients.  On the surface, it may seem that an athletes' evaluation is easier because they are more "functional" and can do more. However, I can safely say that is not always the case.  In fact, sometimes an athletes' evaluation can be MORE complicated than our typical orthopedic patients.  Here's why.....

Scenario:  You are evaluating a professional lineman today.  He is s/p L ankle debridement.  He hasn't played in over 10 months and had surgery 1 month ago.  He reports that he had surgery due to significant pain and decreased motion.  You learn that he broke his ankle a few years ago and rushed back to play after going through a few courses of "therapy" that consisted of modalities, a few stretches, and strengthening movements.  Additionally, you learn that his past medical history is significant for: R ACLr, L & R ankle sprains (multiple), and separated L shoulder.  He tells you he plays defensive end.  

Other than your basic subjective and objective examination what should you start thinking about?  

1.  Psychological state.  How does he feel about his current situation? He hasn't played in 10 months, is he under contract or a free agent?  How is this affecting his state of mind?  

2.  Physical Conditioning:  Is he currently in shape or overweight? Is he using joint supplements, weight loss supps, etc?  

3.  What are his goals?  Does he plan to play this upcoming year?  Are teams contacting him about his status? 

4.  Who is his agent? Coach? Strength coach? 

5.  What has his experience in therapy been in he past?  What is his "current" routine?  More importantly, what does he need to be doing to reach his goal?  

6.  What are the biomechanics of his position (aka what positions does he need to get into)?  What energy systems come into play?  What drills does he need to perform in the future to prepare?  How does his past medical history change his plan of care?  

* These are just some of the things to start thinking about when evaluating a professional athlete.  Part 2 will explain why you want to think about these things and how they affect your plan of care. *


-  Brian

3 Comments
Braden Bills link
10/19/2022 05:47:07 am

I've been having muscle pain, and I'm not sure what to do about it. It makes sense that talking to an orthopedic specialist would be beneficial. That seems like a good way to properly identify what's wrong.

Reply
Jonathan Wilson link
10/23/2022 07:45:50 am

Thanks a lot for sharing such a great piece of article! I found it a good helpful write-up with a good sound and explanation. Here I have seen some valuable ideas that are definitely helpful for every athlete. Please keep sharing more updates!

Reply
Petter link
10/30/2022 11:48:12 pm

This article is really impressive and interesting , You explained this topic very well .The information is really good and interesting .I am great thankful of you for this information.

Reply



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  • Home
  • About Us
  • Insider Access
    • About Insider Access
  • Online Courses
    • Hooper's Knee
    • Physical Therapist Entrepreneur Course
    • Physical Therapist Consultant Course
    • Orthopedic Management of the Cervical Spine
    • Return to Sport Essentials Course
  • Resources
    • Newsletter
    • Business Minded Sports Physio Podcast
    • Day in the Life of a Sports PT
    • Residency Corner
    • Special Tests >
      • Cervical Spine >
        • Alar Ligament Test
        • Bakody's Sign
        • Cervical Distraction Test
        • Cervical Rotation Lateral Flexion Test
        • Craniocervical Flexion Test (CCFT)
        • Deep Neck Flexor Endurance Test
        • Posterior-Anterior Segmental Mobility
        • Segmental Mobility
        • Sharp-Purser Test
        • Spurling's Maneuver
        • Transverse Ligament Test
        • ULNT - Median
        • ULNT - Radial
        • ULNT - Ulnar
        • Vertebral Artery Test
      • Thoracic Spine >
        • Adam's Forward Bend Test
        • Passive Neck Flexion Test
        • Thoracic Compression Test
        • Thoracic Distraction Test
        • Thoracic Foraminal Closure Test
      • Lumbar Spine/Sacroiliac Joint >
        • Active Sit-Up Test
        • Alternate Gillet Test
        • Crossed Straight Leg Raise Test
        • Extensor Endurance Test
        • FABER Test
        • Fortin's Sign
        • Gaenslen Test
        • Gillet Test
        • Gower's Sign
        • Lumbar Quadrant Test
        • POSH Test
        • Posteroanterior Mobility
        • Prone Knee Bend Test
        • Prone Instability Test
        • Resisted Abduction Test
        • Sacral Clearing Test
        • Seated Forward Flexion Test
        • SIJ Compression/Distraction Test
        • Slump Test
        • Sphinx Test
        • Spine Rotators & Multifidus Test
        • Squish Test
        • Standing Forward Flexion Test
        • Straight Leg Raise Test
        • Supine to Long Sit Test
      • Shoulder >
        • Active Compression Test
        • Anterior Apprehension
        • Biceps Load Test II
        • Drop Arm Sign
        • External Rotation Lag Sign
        • Hawkins-Kennedy Impingement Sign
        • Horizontal Adduction Test
        • Internal Rotation Lag Sign
        • Jobe Test
        • Ludington's Test
        • Neer Test
        • Painful Arc Sign
        • Pronated Load Test
        • Resisted Supination External Rotation Test
        • Speed's Test
        • Posterior Apprehension
        • Sulcus Sign
        • Thoracic Outlet Tests >
          • Adson's Test
          • Costoclavicular Brace
          • Hyperabduction Test
          • Roos (EAST)
        • Yergason's Test
      • Elbow >
        • Biceps Squeeze Test
        • Chair Sign
        • Cozen's Test
        • Elbow Extension Test
        • Medial Epicondylalgia Test
        • Mill's Test
        • Moving Valgus Stress Test
        • Push-up Sign
        • Ulnar Nerve Compression Test
        • Valgus Stress Test
        • Varus Stress Test
      • Wrist/Hand >
        • Allen's Test
        • Carpal Compression Test
        • Finkelstein Test
        • Phalen's Test
        • Reverse Phalen's Test
      • Hip >
        • Craig's Test
        • Dial Test
        • FABER Test
        • FAIR Test
        • Fitzgerald's Test
        • Hip Quadrant Test
        • Hop Test
        • Labral Anterior Impingement Test
        • Labral Posterior Impingement Test
        • Long-Axis Femoral Distraction Test
        • Noble Compression Test
        • Percussion Test
        • Sign of the Buttock
        • Trendelenburg Test
      • Knee >
        • Anterior Drawer Test
        • Dial Test (Tibial Rotation Test)
        • Joint Line Tenderness
        • Lachman Test
        • McMurray Test
        • Noble Compression Test
        • Pivot-Shift Test
        • Posterior Drawer Test
        • Posterior Sag Sign
        • Quad Active Test
        • Thessaly Test
        • Valgus Stress Test
        • Varus Stress Test
      • Foot/Ankle >
        • Anterior Drawer
        • Calf Squeeze Test
        • External Rotation Test
        • Fracture Screening Tests
        • Impingement Sign
        • Navicular Drop Test
        • Squeeze Test
        • Talar Tilt
        • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Test
        • Test for Interdigital Neuroma
        • Windlass Test