Physical Therapy Key Concepts

These flashcards cover key concepts related to physical therapy, particularly focusing on the usage of physical agents, pain management, tissue healing phases, and specific factors influencing recovery.

What are the three typical physical therapy goals using physical agents?

1. Modulate pain 2. Promote tissue healing & integrity 3. Restore movement, tolerance, and control.

What is the purpose of physical agents in physical therapy?

They are tools to help patients move toward function and participation, not just for symptom relief.

How can pain be quantitatively measured?

By time, location, intensity, and provocation tests.

What does the Pain–Avoidance Cycle entail?

Injury or pathology leads to pain, fear of movement, less movement, stiffness & weakness, less function, less participation, and more impairment.

What is the main goal of physical agents in the context of the Pain–Avoidance Cycle?

To help interrupt the cycle and promote movement and function.

List the main categories of physical agents and give examples.

Thermal (heat, cold), Mechanical (ultrasound, traction), Electromagnetic (diathermy).

What are the three ways heat moves in thermal agents?

Conduction, convection, and conversion.

What is the significance of 'collagen extensibility' in thermal therapy?

As temperature increases, collagen extensibility increases, which is important for stretching and mobility.

What are the three equal parts of Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM)?

1. Best research evidence 2. Clinician expertise 3. Patient values & preferences.

What are the three phases of tissue healing and their approximate timelines?

1. Inflammation (Day 1–6) 2. Proliferation (Day 3–20) 3. Maturation (Day 9 → months/years).

What are the hallmark signs of inflammation?

Heat, redness, swelling, pain, and loss of function.

What is the purpose of the Proliferation Phase in tissue healing?

To close the wound and regain strength.

What are the four key processes that occur during the Proliferation Phase?

Epithelialization, collagen production, wound contraction, and neovascularization.

What are the three types of wound healing?

Primary intention, secondary intention, and delayed primary intention.

What factors can affect the healing process?

Local factors (type, size, location of injury; infection; blood supply; movement; physical agents) and systemic factors (age, disease, medications, nutrition).

What healing characteristics are unique to cartilage and tendons?

Cartilage has poor healing due to no blood supply; tendons have limited blood supply and can take a longer time to remodel.

Describe the healing sequence of bone.

Inflammation, soft callus, hard callus, remodeling.