Glenn Wellmann PT, DPT, CSCS

09/08/2026

Research Bites: Ten Years After a Meniscus Tear, Did Surgery Beat Exercise?

The OMEX trial followed 140 people with degenerative meniscus tears for a decade after either keyhole surgery or 12 weeks of exercise. Ten years later, the two groups looked remarkably alike....

A 10-year trial compared knee surgery with 12 weeks of exercise for a wear and tear meniscus tear. The pain, function and arthritis results were the same.

09/04/2026

Knee Pain Going Up Stairs or Squatting: What It Usually Means

Knee pain that only shows up on stairs, hills or in a squat is usually a loading problem, not a tear. Here is how to tell the common causes apart and what to do about it....

Knee pain that only shows up on stairs, hills or in a squat is usually a loading problem, not a tear. Here is how to tell the common causes apart and what to do about it.

09/01/2026

Research Bites: Which Kind of Exercise Actually Helps Knee Arthritis Most?

A 2025 BMJ network meta-analysis of 217 trials and 15,684 people ranked every exercise style for knee arthritis. Aerobic exercise came out on top, but the ranking has a catch worth knowing....

A 2025 BMJ network meta-analysis of 217 trials and 15,684 people ranked every exercise style for knee arthritis. Aerobic exercise came out on top, but the ranking has a catch worth knowing.

08/30/2026

Sitting out right after a concussion cuts recovery time nearly in half. 🧠

Here's what the research actually says:
A 2016 Pediatrics study followed 69 athletes ages 12-19 with a diagnosed concussion. 35 were pulled from play immediately, 34 kept playing for about 19 more minutes. The "played through it" group took an average of 44.4 days to recover, vs. 22.0 days for the group removed right away, and they were nearly 9x more likely to have a recovery that dragged past 21 days.

The takeaway: the "shake it off and finish the shift" instinct works against you physiologically. When in doubt, sit them out.

Study: Elbin et al., Pediatrics, 2016.

Save this for the next time someone tells an athlete to "walk it off."

ParkerColorado

08/30/2026

Research Bites: Why Sitting Out Right After a Concussion Cuts Recovery Time Nearly in Half

When an athlete takes a hit to the head and insists they're fine to keep playing, does pulling them actually change how long they're out? A 2016 study says yes, and the difference is bigger than most people assume. The study, briefly. Researchers at the UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program followed 69 athletes ages 12 to 19 with a diagnosed sport-related concussion in a prospective study (...

When an athlete takes a hit to the head and insists they’re fine to keep playing, does pulling them actually change how long they’re out? A 2016 study says yes, and the difference is bi…

05/31/2026

New research confirms what we see in the clinic every day — shoulder pain in overhead athletes rarely starts at the shoulder.

A systematic review of 5,785 athletes found that those with low back, hip, knee, or ankle pain were 2–5x more likely to also experience shoulder pain. The kinetic chain is real, and it matters.

Whether you're a pitcher, volleyball player, or tennis athlete — if you're dealing with a nagging shoulder, don't ignore what's happening below the belt.

05/31/2026

What the Latest Research Says About Recovering Well From Knee Replacement

Recent research highlights the vital role of prehabilitation and physical therapy (PT) before total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Studies indicate that stronger quadriceps pre-surgery correlate with improved recovery outcomes, suggesting that early PT is strategic rather than an afterthought. A structured approach tailored to strength is essential for optimal recovery....

Recent research highlights the vital role of prehabilitation and physical therapy (PT) before total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Studies indicate that stronger quadriceps pre-surgery correlate with imp…

05/31/2026

Research Bites: An Examination of the Relationship between Fear of Reinjury and Neuromuscular, Musculoskeletal, and Biomechanical Characteristics at the Time of Return to Sport following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

After ACL reconstruction, athletes often fear reinjury despite meeting physical recovery benchmarks. A study involving 27 participants found that 70% exhibited high fear levels, but physical performance was similar between those with low and high fear. The research highlights the importance of addressing psychological readiness for safe return to sport....

After ACL reconstruction, athletes often fear reinjury despite meeting physical recovery benchmarks. A study involving 27 participants found that 70% exhibited high fear levels, but physical perfor…

05/30/2026

Off-Ice Power Training: The Strength and Conditioning Blueprint for Explosive Power Training for Hockey Players

The post emphasizes the importance of explosive power for adult league hockey players, highlighting that it's trainable and critical for performance. It details how to develop explosive power through specific exercises while maintaining effective training amidst busy schedules. Professional guidance is recommended for those experiencing pain or seeking to optimize their training....

The post emphasizes the importance of explosive power for adult league hockey players, highlighting that it’s trainable and critical for performance. It details how to develop explosive power…

05/30/2026

Research Bites: A Comparison of Methods for Tracking Muscle Quality During Early-Phase Rehabilitation Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Strength Is Coming Back — But Is the Muscle? What a New Study Reveals About Recovery After ACL Reconstruction After an ACL reconstruction, most patients and clinicians track progress by what they can feel and do: Is the knee less swollen? Is strength improving? Can I walk without a limp? But a new study asks a more granular question — do strength, muscle size, muscle quality, and self-reported function all move together during early recovery, or do they each tell a different story?...

Strength Is Coming Back — But Is the Muscle? What a New Study Reveals About Recovery After ACL Reconstruction After an ACL reconstruction, most patients and clinicians track progress by what they c…