Ask Our Experts - Therapeutic Associates Physical Therapy

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If you have a specific question about a condition or symptom that you are unsure of, or even a suggestion for a topic you’d like to see our expert therapists address, please click the Ask A Question button below. Answers will be e-mailed directly to you and also posted below for future reference.

About Our Clinical Experts

All Therapeutic Associates therapists actively pursue ongoing continuing education to remain skilled and knowledgeable in the latest research and treatment techniques. Our Orthopaedic Residents are licensed therapists currently going through TAI’s most comprehensive and intensive advanced education offering, our APTA-accredited Orthopaedic Residency Training Program. In most cases, Residents will reply to your Ask the Experts questions with guidance from our clinical expert clinician team.

Information provided is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician, physical therapist, or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. We cannot guarantee that all questions will be answered. Response times will vary.

Ask Our Experts Archive

Back Pain and Cancer Treatment - Can PT Help?

I have back troubles that have never been addressed. I was diagnosed with cancer last year. I had uterine and cervix surgery a year ago. I’m currently having chemo and radiation treatment. I sit in this chair all the time I need help to get strong again. I can't get my doctor to OK rehab until I do two more Chemo's ... What do you think?

Recurring Ankle Sprain - What To Do?

Four years ago I sprained my ankle in a misstep off a riser. (My ankle turned inward.) Now I have rolled it 3 times in as many years, generally doing something that didn't hurt at the time but later made my ankle feel as though it should pop. That was followed by gradually diminishing pain. What can I do to stop this from occurring? I'm female, 65, 5'1",105 lbs. do a mix of Zumba, step and exercise 4 days a week. I also do quite a bit of hiking.

Home Fitness Equipment for Plantar Fasciitis

Question: Dear TAI Experts: What kind of home fitness equipment can a person with Plantar Fasciitis use? Answer: Plantar fasciitis is an inflammation of the under surface of the foot resulting from excessive forces and straining of the arch. This generally results from weakness of the muscles of the foot that support the arch and […]

Can a Worn Meniscus Cause Hip Joint Wear?

Question: Dear TAI Experts: Can a worn meniscus in a knee joint which causes the leg to be out of alignment cause the related hip joint to wear out quicker? Answer: Depending on the direction of angulation resulting from a change in alignment at the knee, there could be several effects on the hip. In […]

Upper Back Popping

Question: Dear TAI Experts: I have a lot of “popping” going on in my upper back, especially when I sleep, turn over, and when I first get up. What could be causing this? Answer: Without doing a thorough examination of your spine, I am not able to speculate on your specific condition. However, I can […]

How Do I Get Rid of Tenosynovitis

Question: Dear TAI Experts: I have been having ongoing problems with my right foot for over a year. It started as Plantar Fasciitis, which I had for a year and seems to have subsided with cortisone shot and stretching. I am now currently dealing with “tenosynovitis” of the postior tibilias tendon (diagnosed w/ MRI). The […]

Knee Tightness During Exercise After Meniscus Surgery

Question: Dear TAI Experts: I had knee surgery in which they removed a torn meniscus. I am ok from that, but when I exercise the back of my knee gets very tight. Why and what can I do to get better? Answer: Although I am unable to provide you with specific information on your knee […]

Debilitating Neck Pain

Question: Dear TAI Experts: This is the third time in about eight years that I have woken up with debilitating neck pain. I haven’t been in any crashes and cannot think of any trigger. I can hardly get out of bed and must hold my head straight to stand up. Once standing I can only […]

Frozen Shoulder

Question: Dear TAI Experts: My mother has suffered from frozen shoulder for 8 months. She recently started experiencing pain and stiffness in her neck. She is visiting Seattle for 6 weeks and needs advice and what she should do. Answer: I am sorry to hear of your mother’s shoulder. Without performing an examination I am […]

Pain After Low Back Surgery

Question: Dear TAI Experts: After low back surgery, I have right leg pain, numb toes, and spasms and cramps in right leg. What might cause it? Answer: Without performing a detailed evaluation I can only make a general comment. Generally, after surgery there is a normal process where inflammation brings various agents to the local […]

Knee Pain While Runing

Question: Dear TAI Experts: I have pain on the outside of my knee when I run- and only when I run. I’m 99% sure that it’s a ITBS, but, even with rest, it’s not going away. What would a physical therapist be able to do to expedite my recovery (that I couldn’t just do at […]

Back Brace to Help with Posture?

Question: Dear TAI Experts: I am interested in purchasing a back brace that will help my posture permanently that I would most likely only wear at night. I have seen so many different types. Do you have any recommendations of a certain type? Answer: It is difficult to identify the best brace without first doing […]

Would Exercise Benefit a Torn Meniscus?

Question: Dear TAI Experts: I have a minor tear in my right Meniscus that has not been a major problem. It did not swell and my doc. did not recommend surgery. It gets painful (achy)but does not swell after playing tennis or kneeling with gardening or biking. I wonder if I should be doing knee […]

Exercises to Help Hip Pain

Question: Dear TAI Experts: I have arthritis in both hips. The pain is excruciating. What exercise, if any, can I do to perhaps help this condition?? What can I do when I bend down, but then can’t get up due to the amount of pain? I don’t appear to have any strength there. Help please. […]

Limited Elbow Extension After an Injury

Question: Dear TAI Experts: I need some insight into a nagging injury that occurred back in Nov. 2008. I flipped over the handlebars of my bicycle and cracked both my right wrist and elbow. The hospital put me in a cast that immobilized my wrist but it stopped short of my elbow. The doctor said […]

Iliotibial (IT) Band Injury Preventing Exercise

Question: Dear TAI Experts: How would you treat an IT Band injury? I want to get back to being able to sweat again (i.e. aerobic activity) ASAP. Can you help? Answer: Without examining you in person it will be difficult to make specific recommendations. In general an IT band syndrome has many contributing factors including […]

Chronic Heel Pain

Question: Dear TAI Experts: I have chronic pain on both the inside and outside of both heels (insertion) which is painful to touch most of the time. I do sprint triathlons and run through the pain. Rest does not help. I naturally supinate. I have tried orthotics, pt, a million different shoes, etc. Any other […]

Bruised or Torn Patellar Tendon

Question: Dear TAI Experts: I was recently diagnosed with a bruised or slightly torn patellar tendon after a bike accident. The doctor did not prescribe physical therapy, but I was wondering if there was anything I could do to treat this, other than rest and icing. Answer: I am unable to comment on your condition […]

Arthitis Foot Treatment for a Runner

Dear TAI Experts: Do you have a treatment for arthritis of the foot for a runner? Answer: Without examining your foot in person it will be difficult to make specific comments. In general, arthritis is caused by a combination of stiffness and weakness, which can lead to changes in the joint surfaces. These changes are not necessarily permanent, and even if they are permanent, a program of strengthening and flexibility to help support the joint is typically successful in decreasing pain and improving tolerance to activity.

Knee Pain With Possible Arthritis

I have pain that radiates from outside of left knee and half way down the outside of leg. My pain levels are intermittent. I have severe knee pain after racquetball, although spin class does not seem to bother my knee. I’ve had this pain for 6-8 weeks. I am 59 years old. I recently saw an Orthopedic physician who found no issues with x-rays. He thought this could this be patella strain or an arthritic issue.