APTA Orthopedics Podcasts - Previously Ortho Static

This episode of the Did You Know podcast dives into the newly revised 2026 Clinical Practice Guideline for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Hosts Lori Thein Brody and Jill Thein-Nissenbaum sit down with three of the guideline's expert contributors — Mia Erickson, Marsha Lawrence, and Kylie Scott — to unpack what changed since the 2019 version and what it means for clinical practice.

Topics include the best outcome measures for tracking change (Boston CTS Questionnaire, DASH/QuickDASH), the CTS-6 diagnostic tool, manual therapy interventions, the evidence (or lack thereof) behind shockwave therapy, laser, kinesiotaping, and dry needling, and how to know when a patient needs a surgical referral.

Whether you treat hands every day or only see carpal tunnel syndrome occasionally, this conversation breaks down the evidence into practical, clinic-ready takeaways.

Target Audience:

physical therapists, hand therapists, orthopedic physical therapists, occupational therapists, DPT students, physical therapy educators, sports physical therapists, manual therapists, orthopedic clinicians, PT researchers, clinicians treating upper extremity conditions, APTA members

Want more content like this? Join APTA Orthopedics to access exclusive courses, research, and clinical resources designed to help you stay at the forefront of orthopedic physical therapy: https://www.orthopt.org/content/join

Links & Resources:

Watch the authors’ original webinar:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbTEEFzZr6o&t=2906s

View the 2026 Hand Pain and Sensory Deficits: CTS CPG:

https://www.orthopt.org/content/publications/pub-cpg/hand-pain-and-sensory-deficits-carpal-tunnel-syndrome-revision-2026

Test your knowledge with our Hand Pain and Sensory Deficits: CTS CPG fun quiz:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5T6FPS9

Join hosts Jill Thein-Nissenbaum, PT, MPT, ATC, DSc, SCS and Lori Thein Brody, PT, ATC, PhD, SCS for the next episode of Did You Know?, featuring guest Dave, a fellow healthcare professional.

In this episode, Dave shares his personal experience layering a GLP-1 medication onto an already health-conscious lifestyle — including his initial skepticism, the conversation with his primary care doctor that changed his mind, and what happened when "food noise" disappeared almost overnight.

The conversation digs into the biopsychosocial layers of weight management, the critical role of protein intake and resistance training in preserving muscle and bone density while on a GLP-1, the risks of rapid or unsupported weight loss (including a caution about renal failure from dehydration), and why the goal should always be health rather than thinness alone.

Jill and Lori bring in the current research — from Delphi consensus guidelines on nutrition and exercise prescription for GLP-1 patients to data on psychiatric and quality-of-life outcomes — while Dave offers the lived, day-to-day reality of navigating stigma, cost, and long-term maintenance. If you work with patients on or considering a GLP-1, this episode will sharpen how you counsel them on strength training, protein, and sustainable outcomes.

Target Audience: Orthopedic physical therapists, sports physical therapists, athletic trainers, sports medicine clinicians, physical therapy researchers, physical therapy educators, student physical therapists

Want more content like this? Join APTA Orthopedics to access exclusive courses, research, and clinical resources designed to help you stay at the forefront of orthopedic physical therapy: https://www.orthopt.org/content/join 

Supporting Research Mentioned in This Episode:

Mulcahy J, DeLaRosby A, Norwood T. Transforming Care: Implications of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists on Physical Therapist Practice. Physical Therapy. 2025;105:pzaf061.https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/z0axu0477ioaw476bvhjp/PTj.pdf?rlkey=vyph00j719gu6ot3ui11qwuse&st=atfgj3nv&dl=0

Sievenpiper JL, Ard J, Blüher M, et al. Nutritional and Lifestyle Supportive Care Recommendations for Management of Obesity with GLP-1-Based Therapies: An Expert Consensus Statement Using a Modified Delphi Approach. Obesity Pillars. 2026;17:100228.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/gja03vmfsxmdzmnl2efqx/Modified-delphi.pdf?rlkey=79577660qen013vct6dptarrj&st=si69e45n&dl=0

Join ESPN's Stephania Bell, PT, OCS Emeritus, CSCS, as she sits down at the TPC Team Physician Controversies Meeting with Dr. Norman Waldrop — orthopedic surgeon at Andrews Sports Medicine, Team Physician for the University of Alabama, and Team Physician for the New Orleans Saints.

In this conversation, Dr. Waldrop discusses why the high ankle sprain has become the NFL's leading time-loss injury, how the syndesmotic tightrope implant has transformed treatment by preserving normal ankle motion instead of relying on rigid screw fixation, and his rationale for now using a double tightrope construct in most syndesmosis repairs. He also breaks down the rising incidence of Achilles tendon ruptures across pro and recreational sports and walks through his mini-open Achilles repair technique, including how his approach shifts for mid-substance versus bone-avulsion tears.

Physical therapists will learn about:

- Why high ankle sprains are now the NFL's largest time-loss injury

- The anatomical and mechanical differences between high and low ankle sprains

- How the syndesmotic tightrope allows physiologic motion and faster, more effective rehab

- The rationale for single vs. double tightrope constructs

- Trends driving the rise in Achilles tendon ruptures

- Mini-open Achilles repair technique and its advantages over traditional open repair

- How treatment differs for mid-substance vs. bone-avulsion Achilles tears

Target Audience: Orthopedic and sports physical therapists, athletic trainers, sports medicine clinicians, foot and ankle specialists, rehab directors, PT students, and sports science professionals.

Join hosts Jill Thein-Nissenbaum and Lori Thein Brody for the next episode of Did You Know?, featuring guest Mark Paterno, PT, PhD, Clinical Scientist and Senior Clinical Director at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. In this episode, Mark shares groundbreaking research on ACL re-injury risk — including the surprising finding that athletes who meet return-to-sport criteria AND have high knee-related confidence are 10 times more likely to sustain a second ACL injury. The conversation digs into the biopsychosocial factors influencing outcomes, the importance of guiding athletes through the full return-to-sport continuum, and exciting pilot data on "booster visits" — intermittent PT check-ins after discharge — that may improve patient-reported outcomes, physical activity levels, and long-term sports participation. If you work with post-ACL patients, this episode will challenge how you think about criteria, confidence, and your role beyond the clinic.

Target Audience: Orthopedic physical therapists, sports physical therapists, pediatric physical therapists, athletic trainers, sports medicine clinicians, physical therapy researchers, physical therapy educators, student physical therapists

Join hosts Jill Thein-Nissenbaum and Lori Thein Brody for the next episode of Did You Know?, featuring guest Carsten “Bergie” Bergersen — better known to many viewers as “Bergie” from Love Island USA and The Traitors.

In this episode, Bergie shares his unexpected journey from reality television to becoming a Doctor of Physical Therapy student at the University of Mary.

He discusses what inspired him to pursue physical therapy, his experiences during clinical rotations, lessons learned from working with patients, and how his time on reality TV shaped his communication and listening skills in healthcare.

Jill and Lori also explore:

* What physical therapy school is really like

* Clinical education and patient experiences

* Lessons from APTA’s Combined Sections Meeting (CSM)

* Balancing public attention with graduate school

* Advice for current and future DPT students

* Finding your path in physical therapy practice

Whether you’re a PT student, clinician, educator, or reality TV fan curious about healthcare careers, this episode offers an honest and entertaining look inside the life of a future physical therapist.

???? Like and subscribe for more conversations on physical therapy research, practice, leadership, and education from APTA Orthopedics.

Target Audience:

Physical therapy students, Pre-PT students exploring the profession, Early career physical therapists, PT educators and clinical instructors, Fans of Love Island USA interested in Bergie’s career journey, Healthcare students balancing unique career paths, APTA Orthopedics members

Join ESPN’s Stephania Bell, PT, OCS Emeritus, CSCS, as she sits down at the TPC Team Physician Controversies Meeting with Dr. Neal ElAttrache — orthopedic surgeon at Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic, Head Team Physician for the Los Angeles Rams, and Medical Director for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In this conversation, Dr. ElAttrache discusses the evolution of Tommy John surgery since its origins with Dr. Frank Jobe, how surgical techniques and rehabilitation have advanced, and the ongoing challenges created by increasing demands in sport. He also explores how elite athlete recoveries influence patient expectations and highlights the importance of collaboration between surgeons and physical therapists.

Physical therapists will learn about:

- Evolution of Tommy John surgery since 1974

- Demands of throwing athletes on the UCL

- Advances in surgical technique and outcomes

- Managing expectations shaped by elite athlete recovery

- Differences between professional and developing athletes

- PT’s role in optimizing recovery and protecting outcomes

Target Audience:

Orthopedic and sports physical therapists, athletic trainers, sports medicine clinicians, strength and conditioning coaches, rehab directors, PT students, and sports science professionals.

Greetings, aspiring orthopedic clinical specialists!

Explore a lateral elbow pain case involving a 42-year-old female with chronic symptoms. Learn how to differentiate local musculoskeletal versus neural contributions, interpret range of motion and strength deficits, select evidence-based interventions, and determine appropriate next steps when conservative care does not resolve symptoms. Perfect for OCS prep and practicing clinical reasoning for upper extremity conditions.

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-scenarios

Target Audience:

physical therapists, PT students, orthopedic residents, OCS candidates, educators, clinicians preparing for the OCS exam

Greetings, aspiring orthopedic clinical specialists!

Review a 73-year-old female presenting with new-onset lumbar spine pain following hospitalization and prolonged bed rest. Learn how to identify red flags, interpret systemic factors, apply evidence-based interventions, and distinguish interventions that are not recommended for non-specific low back pain.

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-scenarios

Target Audience:

physical therapists, PT students, orthopedic residents, OCS candidates, educators, clinicians preparing for the OCS exam

Aspiring orthopedic clinical specialists, review a 42-year-old female with insidious lateral hip pain. Learn how to assess greater trochanteric pain syndrome, apply special tests, plan evidence-based interventions, and interpret prognosis and adjunctive therapies.

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-scenarios

Target Audience:

physical therapists, PT students, orthopedic residents, OCS candidates, educators, clinicians preparing for the OCS exam

Aspiring orthopedic clinical specialists, review a 32-year-old male soccer player presenting with an acute posterior thigh injury. Learn how to assess hamstring strains, differentiate biceps femoris involvement, apply clinical practice guidelines, and implement evidence-based interventions for pain management and future injury prevention.

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-scenarios

Target Audience:

physical therapists, PT students, orthopedic residents, OCS candidates, educators, clinicians preparing for the OCS exam