All good evaluations begin with a full body screen to identify major areas of restriction that may be contributing to a functional limitation or disability. After screening the major musculoskeletal and neurological systems, a more detailed examiniation will identify specific joint, soft tissue or movement restrictions that combine to contribute to the limitation or pathology. The physical therapist will then factor in all of the component parts in the evaluation process and make a determination of the appropriate therapeutic interventions.
Therapeutic exercise includes the use of free weights, pulleys, resistive bands, foam rollers, physioballs and aquatics. Exercise is used to help promote symptom-free movement and function as well as the development, improvement, and maintenance of normal strength, flexibility, range of motion, or endurance.
Neuromuscular Reeducation focuses on reducation of muscular movement, posture, coordination, and body awareness. Techniques may be applied to promote a better body alignment, or to restore more efficient movement patterns to reduce physical stress to injured or potentially injured body parts.
Aquatic Therapy utilizes the buoyancy and resistance of water to assist with rehabilitation. The buoyancy of water helps to decrease compressive forces on the body's joints, making it easier to move and help increase joint range of motion. The resistive properties of water can be used for strengthening almost any muscle group. The 90 degree water temperature is useful for relaxation and increasing soft tissue extensibility. The properties of water also allow for balance training that might not otherwise be able to be performed on dry land.
SSRC utilizes the facilities at Kids First Swim Schools in Cockeysville for off site aquatic rehabilitation. The use of an off site facility allows those who are best equiped to maintain the aquatic environment to do so with an expertise that our center demands from all of its services. For more information on Kids First Swim Schools, click on this link.
You clinician may perform manual muscle tests to determine how much strength one muscle or muscle group can produce relative to the opposite extremity. Manual muscle tests are often performed along with range of motion test and flexibility assessment. The results of these tests are useful in determining the severity of a muscle strain, joint injury, or if nerves are properly instructing muscles to contract.
|
Verbal
|
Percentage
|
Grade
|
Meaning
|
|
Normal
|
100%
|
5
|
The joint can produce full strength throughout the
range of motion.
|
|
Good
|
75%
|
4
|
The joint can move through the range of motion, but
with not as much resistance.
|
|
Fair
|
50%
|
3
|
The joint can move thorugh the reange of motion
against gravity, but not against manual resistance.
|
|
Poor
|
25%
|
2
|
Can move through the range of motion with gravity
eliminated.
|
|
Trace
|
10%
|
1
|
Very slight joint movement is seen.
|
|
Zero
|
0%
|
0
|
The muscle does nto or cannot contract.
|
Your ability to stand upright without falling is a function of your muscles, nervous system, and inner ear. Following a joint injury, organs within the ligaments have a more difficult time sensing a change in position, making it more difficult to balance.
Clinically, balance testing may simply involve standing barefooted on the floor for as long as you can. Your clinician may make it more challenging by having you stand on foam, pillow, or balance board. Your sense of balance (and ability to balance) can be very accurately measured using a wobble board that is connected to a computer.
Based on the outcomes of your balance tests, your clinician may emphasize activities that help restore your sense of balance or aid joints in determining their position (proprioception).
