Examination & Assessment

The mode, type, intensity and duration of any treatment is dependent upon the clinical condition presented at the time of each visit i.e. acute / sub-acute / chronic, in addition to eliciting and respecting the patient’s preferences. Treatment is specific and tailored to each patients’ condition and to embrace the appropriate phases of tissue healing (7).

References:
1. Turner, P.A. (2001). Evidence-Based Practice and Physiotherapy in the 1990s. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 17, 107-121.

2. Rothstein, J.M. (1996). Outcomes and Survival. Physical Therapy, 76(2), 126-127.

3. Clark, N. (2001). Functional Performance Testing following knee Ligament Injury. Journal of Physical Therapy in Sport. 2, 91-105.

4. Liebenson, C., Yeomans, S. (1997). Outcomes Assessment in Musculoskeletal Medicine. Journal of Manual Therapy, 2(2), 67-74.

5. Finch, E., Brooks, D., Stratford, P.W., Mayo, N.E. (2002). Physical Rehabilitation Outcome Measures: A Guide to Enhanced Clinical Decision Making, (2nd Edition). Canada: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.

6. Crossley, K.M., Bennell, K.L., Cowan, S.M., Green, S. (2004). Analysis of outcome measures for persons with patellofemoral pain: Which are reliable and valid? Archive Physical Med Rehabil, 85, 815-822.

7. Kannus, P., Parkkari, T.L., Jarvinen, T., et al. (2003). Basic Science and Clinical Studies coincide: active treatment approach is needed after a sports injury. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports. 13, 150-154.

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Examination & Assessment

All treatments are preceded by a thorough and comprehensive consultation which includes history taking to establish the mechanism -of --injury amongst other things. A systematic analysis of the history and clinical findings combined with sound clinical reasoning help arrive at informed-decisions.

Over the years, the clinic has developed and refined a very thorough and systematic approach to Examination & Assessment in accordance with evidence-based practice (1,2). Examination proforma have been specifically designed to collect and record valuable information through a systematic and consistent approach to support hypotheses / diagnosis.

Outcome management can contribute greatly to musculoskeletal practice (3,4) and evidence-based physical rehabilitation (5). Therefore, ‘base-line’ clinical outcome measurements are taken on the initial visit. Thereafter, progress is monitored on subsequent visits, for sensitive changes in patient status (4) and evaluation of therapeutic interventions which contribute towards making informed-decisions (6).