APTA Orthopedics Podcasts - Previously Ortho Static

Greetings, aspiring orthopedic clinical specialists!Explore a cervical spine case involving a 25-year-old female with chronic neck pain and headaches. Learn how to identify cervicogenic headache, interpret key exam findings, and apply evidence-based interventions to improve outcomes. Perfect for OCS prep and clinical reasoning practice.Part of the 2026 OCS Prep Case Series Check out all the OCS prep case scenarios: https://www.orthopt.org/content/resources/prepping-for-the-ocs-exam/ocs-prep-case-scenariosTarget Audience:physical therapists, PT students, orthopedic residents, OCS candidates, educators, clinicians preparing for the OCS exam

Join hosts Jill Thein-Nissenbaum and Lori Thein Brody for Episode 8 of Did You Know?, featuring 2025 Hip Osteoarthritis Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) authors Keelan Enseki and RobRoy Martin.In this episode, the authors take a deeper dive into the latest Hip OA CPG, discussing what’s new, what’s changed, and how physical therapists can apply these evidence-based recommendations in real-world practice. Topics include diagnosis, outcome measures, therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, dry needling, aquatic therapy, and clinical decision-making for patients with hip osteoarthritis.Whether you treat hip OA regularly or want to stay current with best practices, this conversation offers practical insights straight from the guideline authors.Target Audience: Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants, Orthopedic Physical Therapists, Sports Physical Therapists, Physical Therapy Educators and Students, Clinicians treating patients with hip osteoarthritis, Healthcare professionals interested in evidence-based practice

Pickleball participation has grown rapidly across age groups and skill levels, bringing new opportunities—and new considerations—for physical therapists.In Part 1 of this two-part APTA Orthopedics podcast series, host Dhinu Jayaseelan, PT, DPT, DHSc, OCS, FAAOMPT is joined by Dr. Eric Hegedus to break down who is playing pickleball, why the sport has exploded in popularity, and what PTs should understand about its physical demands.This episode explores movement patterns, footwork, cardiovascular load, skill development, training considerations, nutrition and hydration, and early risk factors that may influence injury. These insights help clinicians better prepare patients for safe participation and performance—before injuries occur.Stay tuned for Part 2 where we'll dive deeper into pickleball-specific injuries, diagnosis, rehabilitation, and prevention strategies

Join hosts Jill Thein-Nissenbaum and Lori Thein Brody for the seventh episode of Did You Know?, featuring Dr. Brian Eckenrode, as they dive into everything you need to know about APTA Orthopedics’ Combined Sections Meeting (CSM). From navigating hundreds of educational sessions and posters, to networking opportunities, special interest groups (SIGs), and must-know tips for first-time attendees, this episode is packed with insights for PT students, new grads, and experienced clinicians alike. Learn how to make the most of your CSM experience, whether you’re interested in outpatient orthopedics, pain management, or just expanding your professional network.Key Takeaways for PTs & Students:- Plan & Prioritize: Learn how to navigate CSM efficiently, select sessions, and make the most of on-demand content.- Network Strategically: Tips for connecting with leaders, SIGs, and fellow students to create long-term professional opportunities.- Explore & Grow: Step outside your comfort zone with new topics, hot sessions, and combined programming to expand your clinical knowledge.Target Audience:Physical therapists, PT students, new graduates, orthopedic PTs, sports medicine PTs, outpatient PTs, APTA members, continuing education seekers, PT educators, musculoskeletal PT specialists

Join host Kelsy Hill, PT, DPT, OCS, as she sits down with John Morris, PT, DSc, MBA, OCS, FAAOMPT, Cert. MDT, to explore what sets high-performing orthopedic physical therapists apart. Learn practical strategies for improving patient outcomes, building stronger therapeutic relationships, and developing critical soft skills that elevate your clinical practice.In this episode, you’ll discover:- How to use evidence-based guidelines effectively without feeling protocol-bound- The importance of mentorship and the clinical ladder in professional growth- Tips for developing soft skills, communication, and patient-centered care- Strategies to foster humility, reflection, and comfort with clinical uncertainty- Differences in approach for cervical vs lumbar spine treatmentPerfect for PTs, residency programs, and clinical educators looking to enhance their practice and support their teams.

Join ESPN’s Stephania Bell, PT, OCS Emeritus, CSCS, as she sits down at AOSSM 2025 with Dr. Riley J. Williams — Chief of the Sports Medicine Institute at Hospital for Special Surgery, Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College, and Head Team Orthopedic Surgeon for the Brooklyn Nets, New York Liberty, and New York Red Bulls.In this conversation, Dr. Williams discusses the evolution of cartilage repair in high-level athletes, innovations in minimally invasive procedures, and strategies to optimize return-to-play while protecting long-term joint health.Physical therapists will learn about:- Surgical options for articular cartilage repair and their long-term outcomes- How recovery timelines and return-to-play expectations have evolved for elite athletes- The role of less invasive interventions like subchondroplasty and blood flow restriction- Early detection and management of wear-and-tear cartilage injuries in high-load sports- How cumulative training loads and year-round play affect joint health in basketball and other sportsTarget Audience:Orthopedic physical therapists, sports physical therapists, athletic trainers, sports medicine surgeons, sports performance clinicians, strength and conditioning coaches, rehab directors, PT students, sports science professionals

Join Stephania Bell, PT, OCS Emeritus, CSCS—senior writer and injury analyst for ESPN—as she sits down at AOSSM 2025 with Dr. Mike Banffy, Chief of Sports Medicine at Cedars-Sinai Orthopedics, Head Team Orthopedic Physician for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Team Physician for the Los Angeles Rams.Dr. Banffy breaks down what it takes to care for multiple elite teams simultaneously—from managing diverse injury patterns across baseball and football to navigating the demanding in-season schedules of two high-performance organizations.Physical therapists will gain insight into:- Balancing athlete care across two professional teams- Managing workload, communication, and performance demands in baseball vs. football- How team structure impacts rehab timelines and return-to-play decisions- The complexities of in-season care for elite, high-value athletes- Key considerations when coordinating care with large medical and performance staffsTarget Audience:Orthopedic physical therapists, sports physical therapists, sports medicine clinicians, athletic trainers, orthopedic surgeons, performance coaches