Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Across the Lifespan and Special Populations
What the candidate must know
Adapt examination and intervention to age and population. In pediatrics, understand growth-related conditions (Osgood-Schlatter, Sever's), skeletal immaturity, and communication with caregivers. In older adults, address sarcopenia, balance, fall risk, and frailty. In athletes, consider return-to-sport criteria beyond pain resolution. In pregnancy, understand pelvic girdle pain, diastasis recti, and safe positioning. In patients with disabilities, apply accessible assessment and individualized goals.
Traps
- Applying adult loading parameters to skeletally immature patients.
- Discharging older adults on pain resolution alone without addressing fall risk.
- Ignoring hormonal and biomechanical changes in pregnancy.
- Using return-to-sport timelines instead of criterion-based progression.
Rule of thumb
Use criterion-based return-to-sport decisions (strength symmetry, functional tests, psychological readiness) rather than calendar timelines.
Worked example
An adolescent with Osgood-Schlatter: manage load, avoid aggressive deep knee flexion loading during flare-ups, and educate on activity modification rather than complete rest, since the condition is self-limiting with skeletal maturity.