OCS Field Guide: A PT Podcast
OCS Field Guide is a podcast for physical therapists preparing for the Orthopedic Certified Specialist exam. It focuses on studying smarter and passing the board certification in orthopedics. Episodes offer guidance and study strategies for PTs pursuing specialist certification. The show includes a disclaimer that its content is for education only and not medical advice.
Episodes
Fracture Screening Practice Questions
As a follow-up to our last episode, today we look at a few sample cases and practice questions related to fracture screening.Support the showUse code FIELDGUIDE for $101 or more off a Medbridge subscription.Support the podcast and get study guides and bonus episodes at Patreon.com/physiofieldguide.Find more resources and subscribe to practice questions at PhysioFieldGuide.com. DISCLAIMER: The info
Fracture Screening: Neck, Knee, Foot, and Ankle
We're back after a busy break to review everyone's favorite fracture rules from the Great White North: the Canadian Cervical Spine Rules, Ottawa Knee Rules, and Ottawa Foot and Ankle Rules. We're giving special attention to common misunderstandings and misapplications of the rules. Some sources mentioned in the podcast:Canadian C Spine derivation: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/115
Hip Osteoarthritis CPG (2017 Update)
Austin summarizes the latest hip osteoarthritis CPG, highlights some of the changes from the previous version, and explains one of the more surprising recommendations.Support the showUse code FIELDGUIDE for $101 or more off a Medbridge subscription.Support the podcast and get study guides and bonus episodes at Patreon.com/physiofieldguide.Find more resources and subscribe to practice questions at
Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome
We're back from hiatus to discuss diagnosis and treatment of greater trochanteric pain syndrome. Hint: it's probably not bursitis.Articles referenced:Consensus statement: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37275836/Classification system: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35391855/ER de-rotation test: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6990389/ITB foam rolling: https://pubmed.ncbi.nl
Lateral Ankle Sprains CPG: Interventions
Today we wrap up the 2021 Lateral Ankle Sprains CPG by covering the interventions section.Support the showUse code FIELDGUIDE for $101 or more off a Medbridge subscription.Support the podcast and get study guides and bonus episodes at Patreon.com/physiofieldguide.Find more resources and subscribe to practice questions at PhysioFieldGuide.com. DISCLAIMER: The information in this podcast is shared f
Lateral Ankle Sprains CPG: Course, Diagnosis, and Exam
Today Austin takes us through the 2021 update of the lateral ankle sprain CPG, also called the "Ankle Stability and Movement Coordination Impairments: Lateral Ankle Ligament Sprains Revision - 2021" guideline.Support the showUse code FIELDGUIDE for $101 or more off a Medbridge subscription.Support the podcast and get study guides and bonus episodes at Patreon.com/physiofieldguide.Find mo
Midportion Achilles Tendinopathy Treatment
Today we wrap up the mid portion Achilles tendinopathy CPG, but we also take things one step further by summarizing a 2015 article by Karin Silbernagel and Kay Crossley called, "A Proposed Return-to-Sport Program for Patients With Midportion Achilles Tendinopathy: Rationale and Implementation." For further reading, we also recommend taking a look at Silbernagel's "Current Clini
Midportion Achilles Tendinopathy CPG: Pathology, Epidemiology, and Diagnosis
We have a ton of information on midportion Achilles tendinopathy, which means it is likely to be an ankle/foot diagnosis that shows up quite a bit on the OCS exam. Today we walk through the first half of the 2018 CPG, including pathoanatomic factors, epidemiology, risk factors, clinical course, diagnosis, and outcome measures.Support the showUse code FIELDGUIDE for $101 or more off a Medbridge sub
Plantar Heel Pain CPG
Today we transition to the foot and ankle with a review of the 2014 plantar heel pain CPG. Since this CPG is showing its age a little, Austin augments the recommendations with some research updates.The Foot Posture Index noted in the episode can be found on Physiopedia here.Support the showUse code FIELDGUIDE for $101 or more off a Medbridge subscription.Support the podcast and get study guides an
Low Back Pain CPG (2021 Update)
We're back! This is the first time we have had to revisit a topic due to a CPG update, and the relationship between the 2012 and 2021 LBP CPG is complicated. To make things worse, the 2021 CPG was pretty controversial when it was released. How should you use these two documents to prepare for the OCS? We cover it here.Support the showUse code FIELDGUIDE for $101 or more off a Medbridge subsc
SLAP Lesions and AC Sprains
Today Austin takes us through types of SLAP lesions and AC sprains with a special focus on relevant anatomy, classifications, and testing.Support the showUse code FIELDGUIDE for $101 or more off a Medbridge subscription.Support the podcast and get study guides and bonus episodes at Patreon.com/physiofieldguide.Find more resources and subscribe to practice questions at PhysioFieldGuide.com. DISCLAI
Shoulder Instability and Dislocations
We're back with another shoulder diagnosis: instability and dislocations. You should definitely be able to recognize complications and know what kind of imaging to request following different dislocations. We also review the Beighton score for assessing general hypermobility.Support the showUse code FIELDGUIDE for $101 or more off a Medbridge subscription.Support the podcast and get study gui
Calcific Tendonitis and Parsonage-Turner Syndrome
There are a few uncommon shoulder conditions that might mimic more typical orthopedic conditions and could trip you up on the exam. Even though you may not see very many of these patients in the clinic, we would expect them to show up on the OCS. Today we cover calcific tendonitis and Parsonage-Turner Syndrome and how to distinguish them from more common conditions and from each other.Support the
Rotator Cuff-Related Pain: Impingement and Tears
Now that Austin has covered a framework for classifying and treating shoulder pain, today we'll take a closer look at what is classically known as shoulder impingement and rotator cuff tears. This episode describes the standard model for these diagnoses as well as the problems with those models and the current push to leave them behind.Support the showUse code FIELDGUIDE for $101 or more off
STAR Shoulder Pain Classification System
There's currently a hot debate going on about how we should categorize, diagnose, and treat shoulder pain. Classic diagnoses like impingement have been sharply criticized, so Austin takes us through an alternative system that may serve you well in the clinic and on the OCS: the Staged Approach to Rehabilitation Classification: Shoulder Disorders, or STAR-Shoulder approach, proposed by McClure
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
We've got a messy diagnosis this week: thoracic outlet syndrome. David breaks the diagnosis down by anatomy and compressed structure to help make sense of a syndrome that has poor evidence and little consensus.Support the showUse code FIELDGUIDE for $101 or more off a Medbridge subscription.Support the podcast and get study guides and bonus episodes at Patreon.com/physiofieldguide.Find more r
Adhesive Capsulitis CPG: Examination and Treatment
Today we finish up the adhesive capsulitis CPG by covering examination and treatment.Support the showUse code FIELDGUIDE for $101 or more off a Medbridge subscription.Support the podcast and get study guides and bonus episodes at Patreon.com/physiofieldguide.Find more resources and subscribe to practice questions at PhysioFieldGuide.com. DISCLAIMER: The information in this podcast is shared for ed
Adhesive Capsulitis CPG: Clinical Course and Differential Diagnosis
Since adhesive capsulitis is the only shoulder diagnosis for which we currently have a CPG, it's worth spending two episodes to cover this in a bit more depth. Today Austin covers part 1 of the adhesive capsulitis CPG, including the sections on prevalence, clinical course, and diagnosis.Support the showUse code FIELDGUIDE for $101 or more off a Medbridge subscription.Support the podcast and g
Knee OA Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Since there are not yet any PT CPGs for knee OA, we pull together information from textbooks, articles, and two physician CPGs to cover what does and doesn't work for knee OA. We also review physiology, diagnosis, and an easy little CPR at the end.Support the showUse code FIELDGUIDE for $101 or more off a Medbridge subscription.Support the podcast and get study guides and bonus episodes at Pa
Patellar Tendinopathy and Other Knee Conditions
Today Austin covers a host of knee conditions, including jumper's knee, clergyman's knee, carpenter's knee, and just about any other profession's knee. Listen in to learn about various knee tendinopathies, bursitises, growth plate disorders, and more.Support the showUse code FIELDGUIDE for $101 or more off a Medbridge subscription.Support the podcast and get study guides and bo
Total Knee Arthroplasty CPG
We're back with a new episode covering the APTA's 2020 TKA CPG and with a new MedBridge promo code! Use code FIELDGUIDE for a discount on any of Medbridge's individual plans. Contact us if you want a link for a discount on group plans!Support the showUse code FIELDGUIDE for $101 or more off a Medbridge subscription.Support the podcast and get study guides and bonus episodes at Patre
Patellofemoral Pain CPG
The CPG on patellofemoral pain is both long and dense, so Austin takes us through an information-packed episode with a very helpful practice question at the end to tie it together and explain how you should expect to use this information on the OCS exam.Support the showUse code FIELDGUIDE for $101 or more off a Medbridge subscription.Support the podcast and get study guides and bonus episodes at P
Knee Articular Cartilage Lesions CPG
We finish the Knee Pain and Mobility Impairments: Meniscal and Articular Cartilage Lesions CPG (2018 revision) with this episode focused on articular cartilage lesions and surgeries. Additionally, we include an overview of the 5-stage decision tree model this CPG recommends and how the OCS exam might use information like this on the exam.Support the showUse code FIELDGUIDE for $101 or more off a M
Meniscal Lesions CPG
Today we cover the meniscus portion of the CPG also known as the Knee Pain and Mobility Impairments: Meniscal and Cartilage Lesions Revision 2018. Additionally, we pull in a CPG from the British Journal of Sports Medicine and some extra material to explain the CPG's recommendations.Support the showUse code FIELDGUIDE for $101 or more off a Medbridge subscription.Support the podcast and get st
ACL Injury Prevention CPG, Copers, and Non-Copers
ACL injuries are one of the most studied orthopedic injuries, and we just couldn't get everything we'd like to say about them into the knee ligament sprain episode. So in this episode, David covers mechanisms behind non contact ACL injuries, the ACL injury prevention CPG, and ACL-deficient copers and non-copers.Support the showUse code FIELDGUIDE for $101 or more off a Medbridge subscrip
Knee Ligament Sprain CPG Overview
In this episode, Austin covers the highlights of the 2017 Knee Ligament Sprain CPG, including diagnosis, outcomes, and treatments. He also covers the Ottawa Knee Rules, which are bound to show up on the OCS exam.Support the showUse code FIELDGUIDE for $101 or more off a Medbridge subscription.Support the podcast and get study guides and bonus episodes at Patreon.com/physiofieldguide.Find more reso
Types of Arthritis
The variety of rheumatoid disorders can be daunting, and pulling information together to tell them apart is challenging. In this episode, David covers osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, septic arthritis, and gout. After discussing each, the conditions are contrasted for easier recognition of clinical features.For more information
Headaches: Cervicogenic, Tension-Type, Migraines, and Cluster
Headaches can be tricky to diagnose and treat. In the headache section of the neck pain CPG, the authors recommend consulting two additional resources: the IHS's International Classification of Headache Disorders and the NICE's Headaches in Over 12s document. In this episode, David pulls the most important information from those documents together to help you distinguish some of the most
Neck Pain with Movement Coordination Impairments and Radiating Pain
This information-packed episode finishes the 2017 neck pain CPG by covering diagnosis and treatment of neck pain with movement coordination impairments and neck pain with radiating pain. Additionally, Austin covers a CPR for cervical radiculopathy (and points out where it needs to be updated) and a CPR for intermittent cervical traction.Support the showUse code FIELDGUIDE for $101 or more off a Me
Neck Pain with Mobility Deficits and Headaches
After providing an overview of the cervical spine treatment-based classification from 2004 and how it fits into the 2017 neck pain CPG, Dr. Austin Kercheville explains the diagnosis and treatment sections for neck pain with mobility deficits and neck pain with headaches.Support the showUse code FIELDGUIDE for $101 or more off a Medbridge subscription.Support the podcast and get study guides and bo
Neck Pain CPG: Red Flags, Imaging, and Outcome Measures
The neck pain CPG expects physical therapists to screen for red flags, but it doesn't give much detail on how to do that. Dr. Austin Kercheville fills in those gaps with this discussion of neck pain red flags and indications for imaging.Support the showUse code FIELDGUIDE for $101 or more off a Medbridge subscription.Support the podcast and get study guides and bonus episodes at Patreon.com/p
Neck Pain CPG: Risk Factors, Clinical Course, Prognosis
Dr. Austin Kercheville begins our series on the 2017 neck pain Clinical Practice Guideline by covering neck pain prevalence, risk factors, clinical course, and prognosis.Support the showUse code FIELDGUIDE for $101 or more off a Medbridge subscription.Support the podcast and get study guides and bonus episodes at Patreon.com/physiofieldguide.Find more resources and subscribe to practice questions
Low Back Pain Practice Questions
Guest host Dr. Kim Richards, PT, DPT, OCS helps go through some practice questions on low back pain. Like the OCS, these questions are case-based with a couple surprise twists. See how well you've been learning your lumbar spine material by testing your knowledge on these questions.Support the showUse code FIELDGUIDE for $101 or more off a Medbridge subscription.Support the podcast and get st
Low Back Pain Treatments, Stenosis, and Nerve Tension Testing
As we wrap up the 2012 low back pain CPG by covering the treatment section, David discusses two topics the clinical practice guideline doesn't cover well: lumbar stenosis (as well as how to distinguish it from intermittent claudication) and how to bias nerve tension testing for various branches of the sciatic nerve nerves.Support the showUse code FIELDGUIDE for $101 or more off a Medbridge su
Low Back Pain Treatment-Based Classification
With the lumbar spine comprising 20% of the OCS exam, knowing both Fritz's 2007 treatment-based classification system and Alrwaily's 2016 update is essential to passing the exam. Dr. David Smelser breaks down these systems and includes a case study at the end.Support the showUse code FIELDGUIDE for $101 or more off a Medbridge subscription.Support the podcast and get study guides and bon
Low Back Pain CPG (2012): Red Flags and Outcome Measures
How is the OCS going to approach low back pain differential diagnosis and red flags? Dr. David Smelser discusses low back pain red flags using the CPG as well as a recent JOSPT article by Finucane et al. You can bet your bottom dollar this will be on the exam.Find the Finucane article at https://www.jospt.org/doi/10.2519/jospt.2020.9971.Support the showUse code FIELDGUIDE for $101 or more off a Me
Low Back Pain CPG (2012): Prevalence, Risk Factors, and Clinical Course
Dr. David Smelser introduces the 2012 low back pain Clinical Practice Guideline and covers the sections on prevalence, risk factors, and clinical courses. A couple case studies reinforce how this information might be used on the OCS exam.Support the showUse code FIELDGUIDE for $101 or more off a Medbridge subscription.Support the podcast and get study guides and bonus episodes at Patreon.com/physi
Research Part II: Hawthorne, John Henry, and Pygmalion
Dr. David Smelser discusses psychological pitfalls of human research, including the placebo, nocebo, Hawthorne, John Henry, and Pygmalion (also called "Rosenthal") effects and some ways to mitigate them.Support the showUse code FIELDGUIDE for $101 or more off a Medbridge subscription.Support the podcast and get study guides and bonus episodes at Patreon.com/physiofieldguide.Find more res
Research Part I: Basics and Statistics to Memorize
A large number of exam takers who fail to pass the OCS exam report that the section on research was one of their lowest-scoring sections. Dr. David Smelser discusses research basics as well as statistics and important values you will need to memorize to ace the research portion of the exam. In this episode, David covers levels of evidence, types of variables, p-values and alpha levels, type I and
Introduction and OCS Study Tips
Meet Dr. David Smelser, PT, DPT, OCS and Dr. Austin Kercheville, PT, DPT, OCS—two very busy Board-Certified Specialists in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy. We're here to help you pass the OCS on a tight schedule like we did. In this episode, we introduce ourselves and give you a few tips to get you started with your study plan.Support the showUse code FIELDGUIDE for $101 or more off a Medbridge
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