Patient Resources

Whiplash occurs during a forceful forward and backward or side to side movement of the neck. Whiplash most often occurs during a motor vehicle accident, but can also happen during a sports injury or other trauma Symptoms can start immediately after whiplash occurs, or up to several days following the incident Common symptoms of whiplash… Read more »

The thoracic outlet is home to a bundle of nerves, a vein, and an artery travelling from the neck toward the shoulder. The borders of the thoracic outlet include the anterior and middle scalene muscles, the first rib, and the collar bone. When the neurovascular structures become compromised within this outlet, the umbrella term is… Read more »

The rotator cuff is a set of four muscles that attach from the shoulder blade into the ball and socket joint of the shoulder. These muscles provide the primary stabilizing force to the shoulder, which is otherwise built for mobility. Because of the dynamic nature of the shoulder, the rotator cuff is vulnerable to injury… Read more »

What is the meniscus? The meniscus is a C-shaped structure in the knee. There is a medial are a lateral meniscus that function to provide cushioning to the knee and to support rotational movements. It is a very commonly injured structure. Tears of the meniscus can occur in a variety of orientations (as pictured below)… Read more »

  The lumbar (low back) disc acts as a spacer between the bony segments of your spine. The disc serves as shock absorption for your spine, and allows range of motion through your back. The disc consists of firm outer layer called the annulus, and gel-like inner material called the nucleus pulposus.   With normal… Read more »

Hip impingement is a structural or mechanical disorder of the hip. The hip joint is made up of the femoral head (ball) and the acetabulum (socket). An impingement condition occurs when the ball does not glide smoothly within the socket. This may be due a structural variation in the shape of the bones, or due… Read more »

Frozen shoulder (aka adhesive capsulitis) is a condition of the shoulder in which the shoulder capsule – the connective tissue that surrounds the joint – becomes inflamed and fibrotic, leading to pain, joint stiffness, and loss of functional movement of the shoulder. Little is known about the underlying cause of frozen shoulder, however some factors… Read more »

Infrapatellar fat pad (aka Hoffa’s fat pad): A fluid filled sack that sits below the patella, and can be felt on either side of the patellar tendon (the patellar tendon connects the patella to the tibia). When inflamed, the infrapatellar fat pad can be pinched between the patella and the femur, or the femur and… Read more »

Facet joint: The facet joints are small joints that link adjacent vertebrae of your spine. There are two facet joints to each pairing of vertebrae (right and left), and you have facet joints at every level of the spine, with the exception of the top-most vertebrae connecting your head to your spine. Injury: Facets can… Read more »

Intervertebral discs act as spacers between the vertebrae of your spine The disc is made up of two parts: the nucleus is the viscous center of the disc, and the annulus are the fibrous rings on the outside of the disc The nucleus is made up of about 85% water, and the annulus is about… Read more »

So you just had a total knee replacement: Congratulations on your brand-new knee! You’ve taken a big step to managing your stubborn knee pain. However, a total knee replacement is an invasive surgery, and it’s helpful to know what to expect and how to manage your symptoms after surgery. Here are some tips to be… Read more »

So you just had a total hip replacement: Congratulations on your brand-new hip! You’ve taken a big step to managing your stubborn hip pain. However, a total hip replacement is an invasive surgery, and it’s helpful to know what to expect and how to manage your symptoms after surgery. Here are some tips to be… Read more »

How to stay safe, have fun, and minimizing injury risk on the ski hill Partnering with Steven’s Pass Ski Patrol By Kristen Vaughan, DPT After an early season teaser that got all of the powder hounds drooling, we now all wait in anticipation for the heart of the season to commence and take what days… Read more »

Diastasis Rectus: What is it? How can it be treated?   What is it? A diastasis rectus occurs when the muscles of the rectus abdominus split at the linea alba, their connection down the middle of the abdomen. The most common cause of a diastasis rectus is pregnancy, with studies showing that 98-100% of women… Read more »