Not only is biking better for the health of Americans and for the environment, the infographic also attempts to illustrate how biking could save America billions of dollars.

As always such infographics need to be taken with a grain of salt. However, I don’t think it’s too hard to imagine that less driving and more biking would benefit all of us.

Thanks to healthcaremanagementdegree.com for putting this on together.

Biking and Health: How Bikes Can Save Us

X-Ray Post Total Knee Replacement

According to research presented earlier this month, physician-diagnosed symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA) is occurring on average 16 years earlier in life than what was previously found in the 1990′s. The research performed at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and was presented at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Chicago.

If the trend continues, the amount of healthcare utilization and especially the number of total knee replacement surgeries may need to be performed in the near future may dramatically increase. One result of such an increase was stated to be a significant increase in health care costs in the United States.

You can read more at the American College or Rheumatology or in the press release at PR Web.

Photo by mikebaird

Thanks to http://www.healthscience.net for creating this.

Soda' s Evil Twin: The Dangers of Fruit Drinks

The Harm Caused By Running Shoes

The infographic was created by www.xraytechnicianschools.net

An Epub ahead of print at the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy (JOSPT) describes a study done comparing outcomes following Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA; also sometimes known as TKR for ‘Total Knee Replacement’). Two rehabilitation protocols were followed by the two different groups in the study.

The two groups 8 were age and sex-matched. One group followed a standard, lower intensity rehabilitation program while the second group followed a higher intensity program that progressed as tolerated. The high intensity (HI) group had an additional month of treatments but there were already significant differences between the two groups at the 3.5 weeks post TKA. The HI group also utilized machine-based strengthening while the lower intensity group only progressed to ankle weights or resistive bands.

The study found that those in the higher intensity group had superior strength and functional outcomes while not experiencing any increase in pain or decrease in range of motion (ROM). The HI group showed significantly greater short-term and long-term strength and function as measured at 3.5 weeks, 12weeks and 52 weeks .

It’s worth noting that the study only involved a small sample size and lacked randomization and blinding. However, the researchers believe that this illustrates that larger similar studies are warranted.

J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2011 Sep 30;

Authors: Bade MJ, Stevens-Lapsley JE

Please see the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sport Physical Therapy (JOSPT) site for more topics.

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Why social media matters for physiotherapists

Highlights:

• 22% of those 65 and older report regular physical activity
• estimated cost of falling injuries by 2020 is $32.3 billion
• 4 in 10 of people 65 or older have difficulty with at least one basic activity of daily living (ADL)

Physical Activity and Older Americans Infographic via Evergreen Rehab

Created by: Medical Transcription

A few of the interesting items on the graphic are:

• we spend more time sitting than sleeping
• sitting 6+ hours a day makes you 40% more likely to die within 15 years than someone who sites less than 3
• obese people sit 2.5 more hours per day than thin people
• calorie burning drops to 1 per minute when you are sitting
• each extra hour of watching tv = 11% higher death risk
• sitting in a reclined position puts less strain on your back

 

Via: Medical Billing And Coding

The Wii as physical therapy for cerebral palsy

The University of West Indies, School of Physical Therapy, recently conducted a study on the use of the Wii as a adjunct to physical therapy treatment for children with cerebral palsy. The study was a small one, only involving six children, but the results they found were very positive.

The Wii was chosen largely because of it’s affordability compared to other gaming consoles, making it a much more likely candidate to be purchased by the families of children requiring treatment. Compared to standard physical therapy treatment costs the Wii is very affordable.

One of the primary reasons cited for the success of using video games as therapy is because of the much greater likelyhood that the children will actually take part in the therapy. The video games, while being physically challenging, are also engaging and make the children what to do their therapy.

It is believed that the neurological connections in the brain are strengthened by the new activities offered by the ‘virtual reality’ game play and that the plasticity of the brain allows it to do some ‘re-wiring’ as a result of the mental and physical stimulation.

Although this study involved children with cerebral palsy, the researchers are excited to explore the possibilities of using the Wii with people with cardiovascular impairments as well.

You can read more about the study in the Jamaica Observer here: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/-Wii–care_8980080