Physical Therapists and the International Classification of Functioning

Thanks to Gina Kolata, if you weren't aware an ongoing project occurring within the Orthopaedic Section of the American Physical Therapy Association with regard to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, you are now.  Our profession has been making great strides in analyzing research along with acknowledging the level of evidence for indicated interventions for a variety of conditions treated by physical therapists.  Clinical guidelines have been created for:  heel pain - plantar fasciitis, neck pain, hip osteoarthritis, a draft of meniscal and articular cartilage lesions of the knee, and a draft of knee ligament sprain. Clinical guidelines will be reviewed and updated as part of the ongoing process so clinicians will have a reasonably current resource to assist them with clinical decisions.  Another beauty of the project is the knowledge of weaker evidence or lack of evidence can spur researchers to begin needed research in areas that need addressing.  In my opinion, this has been excellent forward thinking on behalf of the Orthopaedic Section.

Those of you who practice in an outpatient orthopaedic setting are very well aware the number one reason patients come to physical therapy is due to back pain.  Hold onto your hats, but it appears the focus of the next round of clinical guidelines will be back pain! 

During the American Physical Therapy Association Combined Sections Meeting, you will have the opportunity to be updated on the progress being made in the creation of the low back pain clinical guidelines.  On February 19 from 1-2:30 pm, Anthony Delitto, PT, Joseph Godges, PT, James Irrgang, PT and JW Matheson, PT will be sharing the progress thus far with the project.

~Selena