NPTE Studycast | Physical Therapy

• What it is:
• Sprain/tear of the MCL from valgus force or lateral blow.
• Classic signs:
• Medial knee pain
• Pain with valgus stress
• Local tenderness
• Mild swelling
• Lateral blow mechanism
• Rule-in test:
• Valgus Stress Test at 30°
• Rule-out clues:
• Pop + immediate swelling → ACL
• Locking → Meniscus
• Posterior...

• What it is:
• Injury to the posterior cruciate ligament from excessive posterior translation of the tibia — often from dashboard impact or falling on a flexed knee.
• Classic signs:
• Posterior sag sign
• Posterior knee pain
• Difficulty descending stairs
• Instability (less dramatic than ACL)
• Dashbo...

• What it is:
• Injury to the medial or lateral meniscus — the knee’s shock-absorbing cartilage — often caused by twisting or deep flexion.
• Classic signs:
• Joint line pain
• Locking or catching
• Clicking
• Delayed swelling (24–48 hours)
• Pain with squatting/twisting
• Rule-in test:
• McMurray test (NPT...

• What it is:
• ACL failure from excessive anterior tibial translation — basically the tibia tries to run off and the ACL can’t hold the line.
• Classic signs:
• Pop
• Immediate swelling (1–2 hours)
• Pivot / cutting mechanism
• Instability
• Difficulty weight-bearing
• Rule-in test:
• Lachman test — NPTE’s #1.
• R...

• What it is: Otoconia displaced into a semicircular canal (ear crystals where they shouldn’t be).
• Classic signs: Brief vertigo (<60 sec), triggered by position changes, upbeating torsional nystagmus, no hearing loss.
• Rule-in test: Dix-Hallpike.
• Rule-out clues: Long-lasting vertigo, neuro deficits, hearing symptoms → think neuritis/Ménière’s.
• NPTE trap: Nystagmus >60 seconds = NOT typical BPPV (think cupu...

• What it is:
• Non-mechanical symptoms raising suspicion for malignancy.
• Classic signs:
• Night pain
• Unexplained weight loss
• Constant, deep ache
• No mechanical pattern
• History of cancer
• Rule-in test:
• None — this is a screening cluster.
• Rule-out clues:
• Pain that changes with mov...

Rachele Burriesci of All Things Cardio Pulm dives into the essential topic of sublingual nitroglycerin, specifically tailored for physical therapy students gearing up for the NPTE (National Physical Therapy Examination) exam. Join us as we explore the ins and outs of this medication, its clinical applications, and its implications in the context of physical therapy practice.

Episode Highlights:

• Overview of sublingual nitroglyceri...

Angina - It’s Not just chest pain

Dive into understanding Angina with Dr. Rachele Burriesci, as she breaks down the pathophysiologic cause of angina, describes the 3 most common types and what you as a physical therapist should be aware of in its description in order to differentiate from other types of chest pain.

In this episode:

• Atherosclerosis
• Define Angina
• Describe Angina
• 3 Types of Angina
• How to differentiate Angina

Find Dr....

In today's episode, we're going to talk about the key factors that every physical therapist should consider when looking for a new job.

Keri Ammons, Director of Talent Acquisition at ATI explains that finding a place where you can grow with the company is essential. Look for a company that offers various paths within the organization to satisfy different interests. Whether it's IT, project management, research, or HR, there should b...

Dr. Burriesci gives you the quick and dirty techniques to calculate rate on ECG and tips on how to determine a 6 second strip. She describes 4 different methods to determine rate and helps determine which technique to choose and why. Dive into this episode to get better at calculating rate and/or refresh your skills. Happy Practicing!

In this episode:

• ECG paper importance
• How to determine a 6-sec strip
• Discuss 4 methods to determin...

In this comprehensive episode, we dive deep into the world of hip pathologies, providing you with an essential guide to prepare for the NPTE Exam. We'll cover the most common hip conditions, their causes, symptoms, and treatment options, as well as key clinical concepts and examination techniques that you need to know. Professor Matthew Condo provides insight and practical tips that will help you gain a solid understanding of hip p...

Are you struggling to understand electrical conduction for the NPTE exam? Look no further! In this video, we'll guide you through the ins and outs of electrical conduction, from the basics to the more complex concepts. We'll show you how to identify different types of conductors and insulators, and explain how conductivity is affected by factors such as temperature and material properties. We'll also cover Ohm's Law and Kirchhoff's...