Institute for Musculoskeletal Advancement

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Institute for Musculoskeletal Advancement

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The Institute for Musculoskeletal Advancement (iMSKA) was created to engage in scientific research to determine the causes of injuries, disorders, and diseases of the musculoskeletal system; to inform, improve, and advance the diagnosis, treatment.

05/01/2026

Most clinicians know that not every case fits the expected pattern, check out what ATI Physical TherapyResidency graduate Meghan Smrt presented at American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) CSM 2026. During her presentation she emphasized the importance of recognizing atypical presentations across patient populations.

Focusing on a rare vascular condition, this case emphasizes the critical role physical therapists play in identifying non-musculoskeletal drivers of symptoms and facilitating timely referral and interdisciplinary care.

Watch the video to hear Meghan break down the case and key clinical takeaways.

04/30/2026

Shoulder pain isn’t always what it seems.

A recent publication in JSES Reviews, Reports and Techniques highlights the importance of recognizing when shoulder symptoms may be driven by cervical spine pathology, not just the shoulder itself.

Understanding the interplay between the cervical spine and shoulder can help guide more effective care, avoid unnecessary interventions, and improve patient outcomes.

Advancing care depends on strong collaboration between surgeons, physical therapists, and the broader care team.

04/20/2026

Continuing our monthly series, Research Fellows are helping to bring research to life by selecting International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy articles and highlighting key takeaways for clinical practice.

Yanxin Li highlighted the recent publication by Heckmann et al. from the Cincinnati Sports Medicine Research and Education Foundation and the The Noyes Knee Institute, published in the International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy

This study examines rehabilitation strategies in a younger, active TKA population, focusing on preventing arthrofibrosis and supporting safe return to activity through structured, criteria-based rehabilitation.

Key takeaways:
◆ In younger TKA patients, a structured rehabilitation protocol with objective testing–guided progression was associated with improved patient-reported outcomes and return to recreational activity and an active lifestyle
◆ Subjective improvement does not reflect true functional recovery, with deficits often persisting at 3 months post-op
◆ Major objective gains occur between 6–12 months, supporting the need for criteria-based progression and cautious discharge decisions
This study highlights the importance of objective testing and extended rehabilitation, particularly for younger patients aiming to return to higher levels of activity.

04/10/2026

How do you translate research into real-world care?

Nathen Andrews, a recent graduate of the ATI Physical Therapyy residency program recently presented at the International Journal of Sports Physical TherapyJournal Club Case and Point session, sharing insights on shoulder instability, a common pathology that can be detrimental to the athletic population.

This case highlights key considerations for physical therapists to effectively guide athletes through rehabilitation and support a successful return to play.

04/06/2026

New research is challenging a common assumption in injury screening for baseball athletes.

A recent study found no significant differences in leg-length-normalized Y-Balance Test scores between injured and uninjured players.

This means that the Y-Balance Test which is often used to identify injury risk may not be as predictive for baseball athletes as we once thought.

Clinical Takeaways:
- Don’t rely on a single screen, use the Y-Balance Test as one piece of the puzzle, not a standalone decision-maker.
- Prioritize sport-specific assessments, incorporate rotational power, throwing mechanics, and workload into evaluations.
- Focus on individualized risk factors, movement quality, strength asymmetries, and fatigue may provide more actionable insights than reach distances alone.

03/24/2026

What if the future of MSK research was happening in clinics across the country, right now?

ATI Physical Therapy clinicians from physical therapists, occupational therapist and athletic trainers first, who also serve as iMSKA research fellows. These 15 clinicians are bridging the gap between care and discovery every single day. Living and working in communities nationwide, they’re helping turn real patient experiences into research that drives better outcomes.

This is how we move MSK health forward, together.

03/02/2026

Our research partner, Garret Bullock and team are conducting an international study exploring how physical therapists make decisions about managing acute ACL injuries.

Are you a licensed PT treating acute ACL injuries?Your insight is invaluable. Findings will help identify country-specific challenges and strengthen evidence-based ACL care.

Open to licensed PTs treating individuals with acute ACL injuries

02/18/2026

We are thrilled to congratulate, iMSKA Board of Directors member and Sr. Director of Care Delivery Optimization ATI Physical Therapy, Ellen Shanley on receiving the American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy Excellence in Research Award at American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)CSM this past week!

This well-deserved recognition reflects her outstanding contributions to advancing orthopaedic and sports physical therapy through meaningful, high-quality research. Ellen’s work continues to elevate clinical practice, mentor future researchers, and strengthen the connection between evidence and patient care.

Congratulations on this incredible achievement, thank you for your leadership and lasting impact on the profession!

02/11/2026

We’re fired up for American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) !

This week speakers from iMSKA are bringing research to life.

From translating science into real-world practice to challenging how we evaluate and manage conditions, their sessions are all about advancing evidence-based care and clinical reasoning.

Check out their topics and see them in person!

If you’re at , don’t miss these talks, join the conversation shaping the future of physical therapy.

02/10/2026

A new publication featured in International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy highlights how humeral retrotorsion influences glenohumeral ROM in healthy collegiate softball players; reinforcing that shoulder ROM adaptations in overhead athletes are often normal, not pathological.

Understanding these sport-specific adaptations is critical for accurate assessment, injury prevention, and performance-focused care.

Congratulations to ATI Physical Therapy UE Fellow Kendall Henry, and iMSKA's Director of Research, Natalie Myers for this manuscript; supporting a more precise, evidence-informed approach to upper extremity evaluation specifically for softball athletes.

Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/dgNYnHFY

01/28/2026

Our Research Fellows are taking the stage at American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) CSM2026!

Catch cutting-edge presentations on:
- Dry needling for lateral hip pain
- Care fidelity and clinical outcomes in pelvic health PT
- Atypical presentation of celiac artery compression syndrome in adolescent athletes
- Dry needling for neck pain

These emerging researchers are advancing care, pushing the boundaries of evidence-based practice, and showing how research translates directly into better outcomes for patients.

Don’t miss their sessions, join us at and see the next generation of innovators in action!

01/21/2026

Can handheld ultrasound accurately measure humeral retrotorsion?

This new validation study says yes, with big implications for overhead athletes.

Key takeaways
• Handheld ultrasound showed excellent reliability (ICC = 0.98)
• Strong agreement with traditional MSK ultrasound—no meaningful bias
• < 2 minutes for bilateral measurements
• Lower cost + portable, making clinical assessment far more accessible

Shout out to the research team including our very own Director of Research, Natalie Myers, for delivering clinically meaningful research that truly bridges research and practice.

Well worth a read, particularly for anyone working with throwing athletes: https://tinyurl.com/mxsybdvk

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Downers Grove, IL

Website

https://i-mska.org/

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