Application of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy [MDT] on the Human Elbow

Recent literature has shown unreliable diagnostic methods and poor outcomes when relying on patho-anatomical diagnosis. Classification based diagnosis and treatment, such as MDT, has shown to be more effective and reliable in spinal disorders. This has not been established well in peripheral assessment. MDT has preliminary findings supportive of similar reliability and efficacy in extremity assessment. There has been extensive research of elbow disorders with patho-anatomical diagnosis and only a singular study on classification based diagnosis of the elbow.

This case series demonstrates the efficacy of MDT with elbow disorders of seven consecutive patients. Outcomes demonstrated an averaged 87 percent perceived improvement [PPI] in pain and function with a reduction in numerical pain rating scale [NPRS] pain scores from 4.7 to 0.6. Averaged duration of treatment was 3.4 visits in 13.6 days. Averaged three month outcomes were PPI of 95%, NPRS of 0/10, and UEFS of 79/80. None of the cases sought further medical care for elbow pain.

This indicates there may be similar efficacy of classification based treatment on peripheral musculoskeletal disorders as seen in the spine. It also demonstrates that patho-anatomical diagnosis and classification based diagnosis are not mutually exclusive. 

Avoiding Surgery with MDT

 "At the beginning of July I found myself in more pain than I could bear with a MRI that indicated a herniated cervical disc. My primary care doctor referred me to a neuro surgeon as the only solution to my issue. The surgeon could not see me for 3 weeks and the prospect of being in agony that long before even seeing the surgeon was unbearable. I asked the primary doctor what to do in the meantime. He gave medications to manage the symptoms. He also suggested that physical therapy could help in the weeks awaiting the surgeon’s appointment. I needed some relief from the neck, shoulder, arm and hand pain I was experiencing. I could not get comfortable in any position, sleeping was out of the question. I was unable to drive, get dressed or carry/lift anything.

I had used Maccio Physical Therapy a couple years prior for a hip issue. I had worked with Joe Jr. and he helped me to avoid surgery, get pain free and remain pain free. I immediately thought I’d go back to Maccio in hopes of working with Joe again. I was able to meet with Joe right away. Joe spent plenty of time walking through my physical issues and pain problems. He is a very attentive diagnostician. After discussing, at length, my current situation, Joe felt confident that we could work on a plan that would very likely result in a full recovery without surgery. At the first visit we began a course of exercises and movements to relieve my pain. Within the first week, and then the following week, I began to have less pain and regain some strength and movement. At each visit Joe would check the progress, adjust according to my pain level and continue advancing the improvements. Joe stressed following the exercises and doing them at the appropriate intervals. I listened and tried to be the model patient, as I was getting results, sometimes in leaps and bounds and sometimes a little slower, but always moving in a positive direction.

When it was time to meet with the surgeon, I did so as scheduled. After discussing the MRI, a full exam of my issues, and seeing the improvements that had been made in physical therapy, the surgeon agreed that it was possible to avoid surgery, being that I was steadily improving. The surgeon encouraged me to go back and continue the course that I was on with Maccio PT, as it was clearly benefitting me. I would check back in with him in six weeks.

Over the next few weeks, Joe and his assistant Kim worked with me to keep adjusting and moving forward. Joe is patient, caring and observant; under his advisement Kim was creative, understanding and knowledgeable. I continued to improve and continued to stick to the instructions from them. I find the exercises to be very therapeutic, easy to do, easy to integrate into my life and most beneficial.

I am now, a couple months later, virtually pain free, able to do all that I could before, and wiser about how to manage and control the issue. The surgeon agrees that I do not need surgery and should be able to maintain my current abilities, largely in thanks to the physical therapy.

Many thanks to Joe, Kim and all of Maccio PT for your care, professionalism and knowledge. You will always be highly recommended from me. I would not hesitate to return, if ever needed again. You made my situation so much better and gave me the tools to maintain good health. You are the best!" -Paula

31 Years in Business

We are proud to be celebrating our 31^st year in business today here in Troy, NY. Back in 1986 we first opened our doors on Hoosick Street and since that time we’ve continued to grow substantially and have had the opportunity to meet and help thousands of patients throughout the Capital Region and beyond. We continue to see record numbers of new patients coming into our clinic with the majority of them being referred by you or former patients. We cannot thank you enough for your continued support throughout the years. We pride ourselves in providing the highest quality of healthcare and will continue to do so the years to come.

The Wall of Maccio

Maccio Physical Therapy proudly presented 4 research presentations at the recent 14th International Conference in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy in San Francisco, California titled, “Application of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy [MDT] on the Human Elbow,” “The Application of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy in Failed Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: a case report,” “The Management of an Anterior Lumbar Derangement: a case report,” and “The Application of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy to an Ankle Sprain: a case report.” These are 4 of the more recent research endeavors Maccio PT has been involved, which are being prepared for publication in various international journals. The feedback received from over 30 countries participating in the conference was excellent with great interest from new clinicians to senior McKenzie faculty members. Our superior outcomes and innovative extremity techniques were two of the highlights. Stay tuned for future projects of even greater scale.

MDT- Marathon Running With a Purpose

MDT was able to rapidly resolve six years of chronic running pain within one week:

"I have had six years of chronic hip and back pain. Running and working out were really uncomfortable and the pain would wake me up if I rolled over during the night. I’ve had unsuccessful general physical therapy and chiropractor treatment in the past for my symptoms. Then I came to Maccio Physical Therapy and within only one visit I was able to find a direction that successfully abolished my pain using the MDT method. Since then, I have completed a full marathon in Verdon, France without any pain and did not stop once!" - Jessica