AIM OF THE GUIDELINE

The AOPT has an ongoing effort to create evidence-based practice guidelines for orthopaedic physical therapy man- agement of individuals with musculoskeletal impairments described in the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).

The purposes of these clinical guidelines are to:

• Describe evidence-based physical therapy practice, including diagnosis, prognosis, intervention, and assessment of outcome, for musculoskeletal disorders commonly managed by orthopaedic and sports physical therapists

• Classify and define common musculoskeletal conditions using the World Health Organization’s terminology related to impairments of body function and body structure, activity limitations, and participation restrictions

• Identify interventions supported by current best evidence to address impairments of body function and structure, activity limitations, and participation restrictions associated with common musculoskeletal conditions.

• Identify appropriate outcome measures to assess changes resulting from physical therapy interventions in body function and structure, as well as in activity and participation of the individual

• Provide a description to policy makers, using internationally accepted terminology, of the practice of orthopaedic and sports physical therapists

• Provide information for payers and claims reviewers regarding the practice of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy for common musculoskeletal conditions

• Create a reference publication for orthopaedic physical therapy clinicians, academic instructors, clinical instructors, students, interns, residents, and fellows regarding the best current practice of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy

STATEMENT OF INTENT

These guidelines are not intended to be construed or to serve as a standard of care for physical therapists.

Standards of care are determined on the basis of all clinical data available for an individual patient and are subject to change as scientific knowledge and technology advance and patterns of care evolve. These parameters of practice should be considered guidelines only.

Adherence to them will not ensure a successful outcome for every individual, nor should they be construed as including all proper methods of care or excluding other acceptable methods of care aimed at the same results.

The ultimate judgment regarding a particular clinical procedure or treatment plan must be made in light of the clinical presentation, the diagnostic and treatment options available, and the client’s values, expectations, and preferences. How- ever, we suggest that significant departures from accepted guidelines should be documented in the medical records at the time the relevant clinical decision is made.

(Chimenti RL, Neville C, Houck J, Cuddeford T, Carreira D, Martin RL. Douleur, raideur et déficit de force musculaire du tendon d'Achille : Révision 2024 des recommandations de pratique clinique liées à la Classification internationale du fonctionnement, du handicap et de la santé (CIF) de l'Académie de physiothérapie orthopédique de l'Association américaine de physiothérapie. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther [Internet]. 2024 ; 54(12) : CPG1–32. Disponible sur : http://dx.doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2024.0302)