In this episode of PTs Snacks podcast, host Kasey delves into osteoarthritis (OA), clearing up common misconceptions and explaining its impact on physical therapy. Kasey emphasizes the importance of addressing patients' self-limiting beliefs about OA and highlights the necessity of educating them about the true nature of the condition. The episode covers the basics of osteoarthritis, including its degenerative nature, contributing factors, and commonly affected joints. Kasey stresses that OA is not solely about cartilage loss and isn't always progressive, with exercise and physical therapy playing crucial roles in managing symptoms and improving patients' quality of life. The episode also touches on situations where patients may need to be referred for surgical consultations or further medical evaluation. Kasey wraps up by providing resources and recommendations for further learning, including guidelines from OARSI, ACR, and NICE, as well as courses available on MedBridge.

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

00:55 Understanding Osteoarthritis

03:30 Common Misconceptions About Osteoarthritis

04:13 Physical Therapy for Osteoarthritis

05:45 Empowering Patients and Setting Goals

07:45 When to Consider Surgical Consults

09:15 Conclusion and Additional Resources

Relevant MedBridge Courses

1. Management of Knee Osteoarthritis – Megan Mitchell, PT, DPT

2. Osteoarthritis: Clinical Pathways – Eric Robertson, PT, DPT, PhD

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