AIM OF THE GUIDELINES
The Orthopaedic Section of the American Physical TherapyAssociation (APTA) has an ongoing effort to create evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for orthopaedic physical therapy evaluation and management of adult patients 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 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 of the practice of orthopaedic physical therapists to policy makers
• Provide information for patients, payers, and claims reviewers regarding the practice of orthopaedic 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 physical therapy
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