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.

Our Research Fellows are taking the stage at American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) CSM2026! Catch cutting-edge pr...
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!

Can handheld ultrasound accurately measure humeral retrotorsion?This new validation study says yes, with big implication...
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

Next month at the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) CSM conference, we will have many representatives present...
01/16/2026

Next month at the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) CSM conference, we will have many representatives presenting their work that advances clinical reasoning, implementation, and evidence-based care.

From translating research into practice to challenging how we evaluate and treat conditions, our speakers are contributing to the conversations shaping the future of physical therapy.

If you’re attending CSM 2026, make sure to check out these sessions and join us in pushing research forward

Ready to elevate your clinical expertise?The ATI Physical Therapyy Upper Extremity Athlete Fellowship offers a 12-month ...
01/07/2026

Ready to elevate your clinical expertise?

The ATI Physical Therapyy Upper Extremity Athlete Fellowship offers a 12-month advanced experience combining mentorship, hands-on patient care, and professional sports exposure.

Spend 5 months in Greenville, SC with expert faculty, then 7 months embedded with MLB team affiliates, gaining unparalleled experience managing upper extremity injuries.

Requirements: PT license, completion of a Sports or Orthopedic Residency (or board certification), and a passion for growth and advanced practice.

Apply via RF‑PTCAS by March 1st, 2026: https://tinyurl.com/2b6bcxdt

We’re proud to introduce our newest cohort of Research Fellows who joined iMSKA in December 2025. They will be contribut...
01/05/2026

We’re proud to introduce our newest cohort of Research Fellows who joined iMSKA in December 2025. They will be contributing to both new and ongoing research projects that are shaping the future of care.

These fellows are also practicing clinicians with ATI Physical Therapy, representing Texas and Washington. Their dedication to advancing health through research, clinical insight, and collaboration reflects the heart of our mission at iMSKA.

Help us celebrate their work and officially welcome them to the iMSKA community.

If you're interested in becoming a Research Fellow, you can learn more: https://i-mska.org

01/02/2026

As we step into a new year, we’re energized to continue advancing research, supporting clinicians, and driving evidence-based care forward. Thanks to our incredible team, research fellows, advisory board, and community, your dedication makes progress possible!

Here’s to a year of innovation, collaboration, and meaningful impact. Together, we’re shaping the future of physical therapy!

A 2024 article in Journal of Shoulder and Elbow SurgeryThe Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery by Hawkins et al. calls...
12/30/2025

A 2024 article in Journal of Shoulder and Elbow SurgeryThe Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery by Hawkins et al. calls attention to an important issue in outcomes research: are our shoulder measures truly capturing what matters most to patients?

Rather than relying on lengthy, multi-item tools, the authors highlight how SANE, an efficient, patient-centered metric, can meaningfully capture functional status and change over time. This piece challenges researchers and clinicians alike to prioritize outcome measures that balance measurement rigor with real-world relevance.

This work reinforces the need for thoughtful outcome selection in shoulder research, particularly when balancing methodological rigor with feasibility and patient-centeredness. An important read for researchers and clinicians engaged in study design, outcomes assessment, and evidence-informed shoulder care.

Assess the article here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38295936/

12/29/2025

As we wrap up another remarkable year, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to our partners, community, and everyone who has supported us along the way. Your commitment and collaboration have been essential in driving the progress we've made in advancing orthopedics and health.

We remain dedicated to pushing the boundaries of research and clinical excellence, and we couldn’t have achieved this without you. Looking ahead to 2026, we’re excited about the opportunities to further our mission and build on the momentum we’ve created together.

Wishing you all a joyful holiday season, filled with peace, happiness, and cherished moments with those who matter most!

How we measure shoulder range of motion in throwing athletes matters.In this study, published in Journal of Shoulder and...
12/19/2025

How we measure shoulder range of motion in throwing athletes matters.

In this study, published in Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery International the researchers examined glenohumeral rotation within the context of humeral retrotorsion in collegiate baseball players with and without MUCL injuries. When osseous adaptations were accounted for, rotational motion did not differ between injured and uninjured athletes and external rotation deficits were more common than internal rotation deficits in both groups.

These findings challenge long-held assumptions about GIRD and reinforce the need for osseous-informed interpretation of shoulder ROM in overhead athletes.

If you work with throwers, this paper is worth your time.

Congratulations to our Director of Research, Natalie Myers and the research team on these impactful contributions.

Please join us in celebrating the outstanding contributions of Brocha Stern, an esteemed iMSKA Advisory Board member, wh...
12/19/2025

Please join us in celebrating the outstanding contributions of Brocha Stern, an esteemed iMSKA Advisory Board member, whose 2025 publications continue to advance musculoskeletal research and elevate the quality of patient care.

This year, she has contributed impactful work across key areas of rehabilitation science, including ACL reconstruction outcomes, osteoarthritis, and prehabilitation utilization in older adults. See a few of her recent publications below.

We are grateful for her leadership, expertise, and continued impact on the field.

Thank you, Brocha, for your dedication to research that drives meaningful change and being part of our advisory board!

12/11/2025

For Tanaya Mehta, being a Research Fellow has been more than just a role, it’s been a chance to advance as an ATI Physical Therapy clinician, by strengthening her research expertise, and collaborating with leaders across the field.

At iMSKA, we’re proud to see how being a research fellow empowers clinicians with the skills and knowledge to drive meaningful impact.

Interested in becoming a Research Fellow? Learn more at i-mska.org

12/10/2025

This month, in collaboration with ATI Physical Therapy and iMSKA, we’re highlighting UE Fellowship graduate Justin Hahn, now working with the Kansas City RoyalsLeague medical staff, where he supports the active roster and players on the injured list.

Justin credits the ATI Fellowship with helping him get his foot in the door and gain invaluable experience during a full summer at the Royals’ spring training complex.

Since completing the program, he’s grown entirely within the organization advancing from Minor League Rehab Coordinator to Assistant Major League Physical Therapist.

A great example of how specialized training and a strong mentorship can open doors in professional sport.

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