South Hills Orthopaedics Sports Medicine & Physical Therapy

04/16/2026

I've used the car alarm example for years!!

04/14/2026

Great up to date info on osteoporosis treatment. I recently had a woman with osteoporosis tell me her physician told her never use more than 3lbs for her arm exercises....and there's nothing in her history that could ever justify that...it simply contradicts the current literature. -Duffy

04/12/2026

Last year I posted a pic of yours truly in this position looking for sea glass while on vacation. I don’t want to lose this very valuable functional position, so I do it often! If you have troubles trying his suggestion see a good PT. And to be honest, I wouldn’t hold that first squat attempt for 30-60 seconds. Maybe 5 and slowly build up over weeks. Graded exposure always the smart choice. -Duffy

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1Ajfx9tA1t/?mibextid=wwXIfr

04/09/2026

Something that doesn't get enough attention. Chronic Lyme really will jack you up, as can many of these other tick related diseases. Staff was talking about them on their dogs, my own dog gets them often the past month or so, and since she sleeps in bed with us....well, I'm the next possible yummy host. I need to do a better job of body checking, as should we all And PT's should be aware of symptoms that may send someone to you with an apparent "orthopaedic" or "neurological" condition that has a hidden source. I have a relative who was having weird neuro sympotms, always works in her yard where there's lots of deer, so I told her get checked, and yup....Lyme....and the next day got hit with Bell's Palsy (not an uncommon pairing). -Duffy

4/7 marks World Health Day. Ticks, especially in the northeast, pose a risk to the health of humans and pets alike. Lyme disease is not the only tickborne pathogen, and not all ticks spread it! Our testing services aim to help people understand their exposure risks, which can help in more comprehensive treatment plans.

04/07/2026

Happy 12 year workiversary Ashley Mom-To-Be…..leaving me to work alone all summer…. with Dora

04/04/2026

When you are a high volume PT and you practice in the same community for 35 years neat stuff like this happens. Having always kept Grateful Dead stuff in the clinic is like a beacon and I have bonded with many community heads….surgeons, pediatricians, attorneys and much more. This guys reach out on the anniversary of a great show made my day. -Duffy

04/02/2026

Most gym memberships are cheaper than even one co-pay for a PT single visit or the out of pocket expenses for medication and tests. Just sayin’

04/01/2026

If this wasn’t so true my caseload would be noticeably smaller. Click the pic to see the headline that’s cut off here. I got to take my 14 year old to my gym today and he saw numerous older folks working out hard even though in wheelchairs and walkers. -Duffy

03/31/2026

The reason why we all will hit a wall, if your only goal is bulk. As noted here, those gains in the first few weeks of beginning strengthening are neurological....your body learns and gets better at the task (mostly), but over time muscle develops and most hit a wall....and that's hard to deal with for many, so some turn to steroids or T supplementation. I'm 61, I will naturally no longer be big and have accepted that. I lift due to the huge list of other benefits. I'm still slowly getting stronger, but bulk isn't a reason why, and that's OK. My check back: Would I still do this daily if I was marooned on a desert island with my gym? Yes, as long as I had wifi. -Duffy

03/29/2026

I have the cherished memory of Jerry Garcia once waving to me....but even better of David Butler messaging with me....from Australia....20+ years ago. Both Mosley and Butler are pioneers in the world of evidence based pain education. Here they discuss the changes in thought regarding CRPS (formerly known as RSD). Butler is the one with the funky glasses, I encourage patients and PT's alike to go find some videos of him talking, or find a copy of one of his books, like "Explain Pain" and learn great material. It will help with your life and your patients treatment, I promise -Duffy

03/28/2026

Sent by a follower (Thanks Jay) and uses Stuart Phillips, Ph.D. as one of the contributors, and you've seen me share his material before and is a leader in my world. Anyway, this topic goes straight into what I have posted in the past where people who go into a life issue with a depleted "tank" struggle (and sometimes die) while those going in with a full tank have a better recovery, faster and easier too. Even a basic joint replacement can knock a person down more than they ever anticipated, with full recovery a long haul and a struggle. -Duffy

For older patients, memory is a factor that extends beyond the brain.

New research finds that muscles remember periods of disuse, and the consequences appear quite different in young vs old muscle. The findings could help explain why returning to activity after an injury or illness is more of a slog for older patients than a bounce-back. https://mdsc.pe/40XDHjv