Join us on Saturday June 27th for the 1st Annual APTA Orthopedics Virtual Conference. There are several topics that may be of interest the pain community -- see the summary below. To see the full program click here.
1. Exercise and Bracing in Patellofemoral Pain: Problems and recommendations based on hip muscle activation and kinematics
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Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM (90-minute, Track B)
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Speaker: David Selkowitz (MGH Institute of Health Professions)
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Summary: Research on how exercise and external support affect hip muscle EMG activity and hip kinematics in people with patellofemoral pain (PFP). Findings showed people with PFP had increased tensor fascia lata activation and decreased gluteal activation during most exercises (except the clam), and that the SERF Strap reduced both knee pain and hip internal rotation. Implications for exercise and bracing strategies are discussed.
2. Persistent Shoulder Pain in Young Pianist Leading to Diagnosis of Hodgkin's Lymphoma: A Case Report
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Time: 11:36 AM – 11:46 AM (Poster presentation)
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Speaker: Katherine Atiyeh (Louisiana State University)
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Summary: Case report of a 34-year-old with chronic shoulder pain initially treated as a musculoskeletal/rotator cuff issue who improved with PT, but later developed axillary lymphadenopathy and was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. Reinforces the need for ongoing red-flag screening and timely referral even when findings support a musculoskeletal diagnosis.
3. Pain Is Complex. Your Clinical Reasoning Doesn't Have to Be.
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Time: 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM (30-minute Micro-Learning)
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Speakers: Eric Kruger (University of New Mexico); co-speaker Chris Joyce (MGH Institute of Health Professions)
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Summary: Demonstrates using the ICF as a practical framework for patient-centered pain assessment and intervention planning. Two contrasting case studies (localized nociceptive cervicothoracic pain vs. chronic widespread nociplastic pain with psychological distress) guide participants in categorizing findings and scaling intervention complexity. Includes live polling and a clinical decision checklist.
4. Integrating Contemporary Pain Science & Mindfulness-Informed Care for Primary Pain
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Time: 1:45 PM – 3:15 PM (90-minute, Track B)
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Speaker: Nancy Durban (retired PT); co-speakers Annette Willgens and Lauren Goforth (Nova Southeastern University)
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Summary: Combines contemporary pain science (central sensitization, biopsychosocial model, mechanism-based classifications) with mindfulness-informed care. Emphasizes careful subjective questioning during pain evaluation and integrating pain neuroscience education with mindful awareness techniques, supported by interactive case studies.
5. How Culture Shapes Pain: Pain Beliefs and Behaviors Among Hispanic and American Adults
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Time: 1:54 PM – 2:04 PM (Research Poster presentation)
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Speaker: Natalie Cerda (Kaiser Permanente Persistent Pain Fellowship)
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Summary: Study of 88 participants comparing pain beliefs/behaviors between Hispanic/Latino and American adults. Hispanic participants scored higher across all domains, with significant differences in fear-avoidance related to work and physical activity. Suggests culture influences pain-related behaviors and supports culturally responsive care.
6. Chronic Pain After Symptom Focused Care: Restoring PT Fundamentals and Pain Neuroscience Education
7. Targeting Multifidus Dysfunction in Persistent Chronic Low Back Pain: Breaking the "non-specific" paradigm through diagnosis, imaging, and collaboration
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Time: 1:45 PM – 3:15 PM (90-minute, Track A)
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Speakers: Marit Johnson; co-speakers Paul Hodges (University of Queensland), Phillip Sizer (Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center), Douglas Santillo (Rocky Mountain University)
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Summary: Positions lumbar multifidus dysfunction as a distinct contributor to "non-specific" chronic low back pain. Equips orthopaedic PTs to recognize, differentially diagnose, and manage multifidus dysfunction using current literature, MRI interpretation (atrophy, fatty infiltration, asymmetry), examination strategies, and case-based reasoning to build collaborative care.