Send us Fan Mail

This PT Snacks podcast episode explains what is healing after a rotator cuff repair and why post-op rehab protocols follow specific tissue-healing timelines, with tips for improving patient compliance. It reviews common arthroscopic repair steps, typical rehab phases, and where some variations can come from.

00:00 Rotator Cuff Rehab Overview

00:26 Podcast Intro and Disclaimers

01:58 What Actually Heals

02:15 How the Repair Is Done

04:15 Why Protocol Phases Exist

05:12 Early Protection Phase

05:46 Passive Motion Window

06:43 Active Motion and Loading

08:00 When to Start Motion

09:30 Patient Education and Compliance

10:49 Healing Factors and Red Flags

11:56 Wrap Up and Next Steps

Need CEUs?
Unlock unlimited online courses, live webinars, and certification-prep programs with MedBridge. You’ll get thousands of accredited, evidence-based courses. Use code PTSNACKSPODCAST at checkout to save over $100. Student? Use code PTSNACKSPODCASTSTUDENT

Support the show

Do You Have Student Loans?

According to Student Loan Planner, 90% of the clients they work with are sitting on a five to six figure mistake in how they're handling their debt, whether that's the wrong repayment plan, a bad refinance decision, or a missed forgiveness path. If you want expert advice, PT Snacks listeners get $100 off a consult by booking HERE or mentioning "Kasey Hankins" on the booking form.

Need CEUs? Get access to thousands of online courses, live webinars, certification-prep programs, and more with MedBridge. Use PTSNACKSPODCAST at checkout for $100+ off or PTSNACKSPODCASTSTUDENT for a student discount.

Studying for the NPTE? Check out PT Final Exam with code PTSnacks at checkout....

Send us Fan Mail

We learn about the development of the spinal cord, but sometimes forget how that applies to different nerve presentations, especially when it comes to the cauda equina. We discuss how this region can present (not just cauda equina syndrome) and how it can help us pinpoint where a source of a problem can be when patients seem to have nerve symptoms all over the place.

00:00 Welcome and Topic Setup
01:18 Where the Spinal Cord Ends
02:13 Conus Medullaris and Cauda Equina
04:04 Central vs Foraminal Compression
05:24 Symptom Spectrum and Red Flags
06:23 Case Example Weird Leg Symptoms
07:12 Subjective Exam Key Questions
08:16 Objective Exam and Neuro Screen
09:36 Wrap Up and Resources
10:06 Sponsor and Closing Thanks

Need CEUs?
Unlock unlimited online courses, live webinars, and certification-prep programs with MedBridge. You’ll get thousands of accredited, evidence-based courses. Use code PTSNACKSPODCAST at checkout to save over $100. Student? Use code PTSNACKSPODCASTSTUDENT

Support the show

Do You Have Student Loans?

According to Student Loan Planner, 90% of the clients they work with are sitting on a five to six figure mistake in how they're handling their debt, whether that's the wrong repayment plan, a bad refinance decision, or a missed forgiveness path. If you want expert advice, PT Snacks listeners get $100 off a consult by booking HERE or mentioning "Kasey Hankins" on the booking form.

Need CEUs? Get access to thousands of online courses, live webinars, certification-prep programs, and more with MedBridge. Use PTSNACKSPODCAST at checkout for $100+ off or PTSNACKSPODCASTSTUDENT for a student discount.

Studying for the NPTE? Check out PT Final Exam with code PTSnacks at checkout....

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, we give a focused overview of deep tendon reflexes as a quick, high-value tool in the physical therapy objective exam, especially when patient reports are unclear. Reflex changes give us crucial insight on neurologic function and why identifying hyporeflexia/areflexia versus hyperreflexia matters. The episode breaks down the stretch reflex arc and how descending upper motor neuron inhibition differentiates lower motor neuron findings from upper motor neuron signs We also discuss practical tips on how to improve testing accuracy and common uses.

00:00 Welcome and Topic Setup
00:45 Why Reflexes Matter
01:42 DTRs as Neuro Clues
03:39 Reflex Arc Explained
05:36 UMN vs LMN Findings
08:07 How to Elicit Reflexes
10:22 Clinical Case and Teamwork
12:42 Wrap Up and Contact

Need CEUs?
Unlock unlimited online courses, live webinars, and certification-prep programs with MedBridge. You’ll get thousands of accredited, evidence-based courses. Use code PTSNACKSPODCAST at checkout to save over $100. Student? Use code PTSNACKSPODCASTSTUDENT

Support the show

Do You Have Student Loans?

According to Student Loan Planner, 90% of the clients they work with are sitting on a five to six figure mistake in how they're handling their debt, whether that's the wrong repayment plan, a bad refinance decision, or a missed forgiveness path. If you want expert advice, PT Snacks listeners get $100 off a consult by booking HERE or mentioning "Kasey Hankins" on the booking form.

Need CEUs? Get access to thousands of online courses, live webinars, certification-prep programs, and more with MedBridge. Use PTSNACKSPODCAST at checkout for $100+ off or PTSNACKSPODCASTSTUDENT for a student discount.

Studying for the NPTE? Check out PT Final Exam with code PTSnacks at checkout....