Used in the care of severe degenerative joint disease due to underlying osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or avascular necrosis, a total hip arthroplasty is most commonly indicated for patients presenting with the following problems:Â Â
Plantar Fasciitis
The plantar fascia is the tissue that connects your heel to your toes. It has an important role in supporting the medial arch, or inside portion of the foot, especially during walking. It also provides shock absorption, approximately taking on two times the body’s weight during normal walking. Plantar Fasciitis occurs when the plantar fascia becomes inflamed.
Cryotherapy
Alleviating pain, stopping inflammation, and reducing swelling – varying hands on techniques, such as soft tissue mobilization, joint mobilizations, Kinesiotaping, cupping, and stretching, have been shown effective at modulating symptoms. Other physical agents such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, iontophoresis, and cryotherapy are also at our disposal to combat pain.
Medical Weight Loss
Pediatric Care
Kristen returned to Furnace Brook Physical Therapy in 2006 after serving a clinical affiliation in 2003. She received her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at MGH Institute of Health Professions in 2005. Following graduation, she served a year-long internship at Children’s Hospital Boston. As a result of this experience, she has developed a clinical interest in high school athletes and pediatrics. Being an avid softball and soccer athlete, she also has a keen interest in all aspects of sports-related injuries and rehabilitation, particularly knee reconstructions. Kristen is certified in Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) and Complete Decongestive Therapy (CDT) following 145 classroom hours from Klose Training and Consulting in 2008. She co-directs the Lymphadema program at the clinic with Samantha Alosco. Kristen became a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist in 2010. She is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association, and is a certified lifeguard by the American Red Cross. Prior to starting her family, Kristen served as the Clinic Manager of Furnace Brook PT. Kristen became a Certified Graston Technique Provider in 2020 after completing her training for advanced management of musculoskeletal dysfunction utilizing the Graston Technique method.
Claire graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and minor in Psychology in 2004 from the University of South Carolina. Claire then went on to get her Masters Degree in Occupational Therapy from Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia in 2011. Claire excels in treatment of a variety of diagnoses including carpal tunnel, arthritis, fractures of the wrist, hand and elbow, lateral and medial epicondylitis, amputations, flexor and extensor tendon injuries, trigger finger, Dupuytren’s contracture and a variety of other post- surgical diagnoses. She is adept at fitting functional hand and wrist splints onsite at the clinic.
Additionally, your physical therapist could make use of treatment techniques such as soft tissue massage, active range of motion, ultrasound, and electric stimulation.
MRI
If you note that you have any of these symptoms, contact your doctor for an examination of the shoulder. He or she may request that you have an X-Ray or MRI or refer you to physical therapy to help with determining the problem. If you do have a rotator cuff injury, there are several treatment options.
X-Rays
Iontophoresis
Reducing Pain and Inflammation – Your doctor can prescribe medications for you that will help reduce inflammation and pain. Corticosteroid injections into the region of pain and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication are the most commonly prescribed medications for plantar fasciitis. Also your physical therapist can use a variety of physical agents, such as cryotherapy, ultrasound, iontophoresis, and soft tissue mobilization to help reduce pain and assist in the natural healing process.
Patella-femoral pain syndrome (PFPS), has been gaining prevalence over the past 20-25 years in the world of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. Put simply, PFPS is a condition caused by poor alignment and tracking, or movement, of the patella as it relates to the femur. Ideally, our patella is meant to travel, or “track†, in a nearly straight line, in a North-South manner, as we bend and straighten the knee. This injury presents itself when the ability of the patella to track smoothly is impeded. In some cases, this is caused by osteoarthritis or cartilaginous damage to the underside of the patella, where it contacts the femoral joint. While not rare, this is not the most common cause of this injury. In the majority of cases, PFPS is caused by malalignment and poor stability at joints either proximally or distally to the knee. Speaking in broad terms, weakness and instability at the hip joint, usually in the glute musculature is a major precipitating factor due to its influence in alignment of the lower extremity. Another common issue in most cases is tightness and soft tissue restrictions within the gastrocnemius muscle, altering mechanics at the ankle joint and thus changing alignment at the knee.
Whiplash
The first are those conditions which give rise to only neck pain itself. From osteoarthritis, or spondylosis, to stenosis, to a bony spur, to a strain/sprain whiplash, to a fracture, or to a minimally displaced disc bulge; these are some of the frequent conditions we treat daily in the clinic. Â
Pinched Nerve
The second type of condition, or injury are those that not only give neck pain, but may also encroach or displace the nerve sleeve, nerve root or even the spinal cord. These injuries are even more serious and debilitating because not only can you get the painful loss of motion or spasm as above, but the arm(s), or even legs, can be affected as well. Essentially, wherever the nerve tissue that is affected travels, the injury may manifest itself. You may experience numbness, tingling, weakness or even muscle atrophy in the arm affected depending on what nerve root is affected, if that is where it travels. Since nerves do not do well in any situation where they may be compressed, it is imperative that the therapist continually monitor your neurological status as treatment is rendered. These conditions may be known as a cervical radiculitis, radiculopathy, or even myelopathy; but in layman’s terms, a “pinched nerve†Â
Joint Replacement
Skilled and progressive exercise is an essential part of the recovery process after any total joint replacement. Any one of our trained physical therapists provides the patient with specific exercises to help restore movement and strengthen the joint. We continue to help patients improve strength and range of motion so that they will be able to return to their prior level of activity.
Hip Replacement
Total Hip Arthoplasty (THA), or a hip replacement, is an ever-growing facet of the medical world. First performed in the 1960s as a more permanent solution to end-stage degenerative joint disease in the hip, the prevalence of THAs being performed each year continues to sky rocket. Considered one of the “most successful and cost-effective interventions available in modern medicine†, many patients are able to return to a lifestyle of physical activity that was simply too painful to maintain before surgery.  Â
Knee Replacement
A surgeon performs a total knee replacement by replacing the ends of the femur and the corresponding tibia with a prosthesis or metal component. The undersurface of the patella may also receive a prosthesis.
Furnace Brook Physical Therapy is pleased to offer a Lymphedema Therapy Management Program operated by two of our staff therapists, Kristen Ross, DPT, CLT, CSCS and Samantha Alosco, DPT, CLT. Both of these clinicians are certified in Manual Lymphatic Drainage and Complete Decongestive Therapy and have seen patients with lymphedema issues since 2008. This program specializes in the management of lymphedema of the upper extremities, most commonly caused as a result of breast cancer and its treatment. Lymphedema management includes education about diagnosis, skin care and risk reduction strategies, exercise as indicated, manual lymphatic drainage (a massage technique to reroute fluid to functional lymph nodes) and compression therapy. Compression may include bandaging, night packs, sleeves or a compression bra.
If you think you are experiencing a medical emergency, call your physician or 911 immediately. Please note that the responses by Furnace Brook PT staff to general orthopedic and sports medicine questions posed by email does not constitute a physical therapist/patient relationship. Responses are provided for educational and informational purposes and are not a substitute for professional advice. The information contained in any FBPT response is not intended nor should it be construed to: (i) substitute for the advice, diagnosis or treatment of a licensed physical therapist or other qualified health care professional familiar with an individual’s specific conditions and needs; or (ii) suggest a course of treatment for a particular individual.
Physical Therapy
Upon my arrival to Furnace Brook Physical Therapy I was quite incapacitated. My therapy began following an ankle break of both the tibia and fibula bones, torn syndesmotic ligament, and two surgeries. I had been non weight bearing for 12 weeks; my range of motion was...
Occupational Therapy
After over a decade as an Occupational Therapist and working in a variety of settings, Claire has found her passion working in hand therapy and is a member of the American Society of Hand Therapists as well as the American Occupational Therapy Association. Claire enjoys spending time outside of work with her husband, young son and golden retriever.
Frozen Shoulder
Furnace Brook Physical Therapy is very well run, clean and professional. I worked with Kristen on a frozen shoulder issue. She was just amazing. She embodies everything that I was looking for in a therapist. I can’t say enough good things about her. I would highly recommend Kristen and Furnace Brook Physical Therapy.
Heel Pain
Ankle Sprain
In an ankle sprain, there is damage to one or more of the ligaments caused by overstretching. Ligaments attach bone to bone, and are meant to provide stability to the joints. Ankle sprains are among the most common injuries found in athletics and recreational activities.
Neck Pain
Aquatic Therapy
Graded return to activity – Gradually introducing strenuous activity in an incremental manner is essential to prevent a re-occurrence of symptoms. Aquatic therapy, available on-site at Furnace Brook PT, can be an excellent instrument to help achieve this goal, by allowing patients to return to running and jumping while placing minimal strain on the knee joint.Â
Manual Therapy
Ryan returned to Furnace Brook PT as a staff physical therapist after completing his final clinical rotation there previously. Ryan is a South Shore native and a 2013 graduate of Northeastern University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program. Ryan is an avid golfer, skier, and Boston sports enthusiast. He has a keen interest in manual therapy and post-operative return to sport rehabilitation. His coursework and patient focus is with competitive and recreational athletes. Ryan also serves as the public liaison and within the clinic in disseminating the latest trends in sports medicine rehab. He is a member of the American Physical Therapy Association and became a Certified Orthopedic Specialist (OCS) in June, 2017 by passing his board certification exam. Ryan became a Graston Technique Provider in 2020 after completing his training for advanced management of musculoskeletal dysfunction utilizing the Graston Technique method.
If an ankle sprain goes untreated, it can lead to further injury to the joint including chronic instability. Once an ankle sprain has occurred the likelihood of re-injury is much higher, but if conservative treatment is utilized the outcome is generally quite good.
Flat Feet
Biomechanical – People who have low arches (pes planus) or high arches (pes cavus) can be predisposed to plantar fasciitis. However, studies have shown that people with plantar fasciitis are 81-86% more likely to have low arches. Heel spu
Heel Spurs
Rs are often mentioned in connection with plantar fasciitis. Heel spurs are most often the result of increased tension on the heel from the attachment of the fascia. The presence of a heel spur does not define a diagnosis of plantar fasciitis nor does it indicate such. One study showed that only 13% of people with plantar fasciitis had a concurrent heel spur.
Heel Pain
Plantar Fasciitis
Occupational – There has been found to be a connection between plantar fasciitis and prolonged standing and walking. People who have jobs that require a lot of standing, such as policeman, can cause repetitive stress on the fascia. Also, a sudden change in the amount of stress placed on the feet, like training on an unyielding surface such as a tennis court, can cause plantar fasciitis.