Charles Ratzlaff, PhD, PT, FCAMT
When
Decoding Osteoarthritis: New Approaches to Prevention and Treatment Using Your Brain and Body
Charles R. Ratzlaff, PhD
Assistant Professor, College of Medicine
Lead, prospective observational studies in the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI)
Therapist/Clinical Consultant, Canadian Alpine Ski Team Medical Group
Rehabilitation Consultant, CR Consulting Sports and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation
About the Lecture
The total financial cost of osteoarthritis treatment is estimated at $15.5-$28.6 billion dollars per year. Dr. Charles Ratzlaff, a PhD epidemiologist and physical therapist specializing in pre-clinical hip and knee osteoarthritis, will lead a discussion detailing ways to prevent and manage osteoarthritis without surgery or medication, the two most costly approaches to treating osteoarthritis. Methods discussed will include: a technique that emphasizes proper exercise form and strengthening of neglected body parts known as neuromuscular retraining, proper anatomical alignment and balance as a key to joint protection and health, core training's impact on hip and knee health, Re-programming the brain (movement re-training), and how examining movement and neuromuscular patterns can predict development (and prevention) of joint pain and problems. Dr. Ratzlaff will review key clinical trials where simple neuromuscular re-training interventions had prevented low back pain, ACL and other knee injury as well as the progression of knee osteoarthritis. Will use post injury cases as models of development of osteoarthritis that are preventable. Dr. Ratzlaff also walk you through some of his work on elite athletes and explain how his findings are applicable to aging hips and knees.
About Dr. Charles Ratzlaff
Dr. Ratzlaff is a PhD epidemiologist and physical therapist who specializes in the evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation of world-class atheletes from professional/national teams as well as the general population. He works to prevent sports-related osteoarthritis and evaluate non-surgical, surgical and pharmacological interventions for pre-clinical hip and knee osteoarthritis. Dr. Ratzlaff has co-directed the St Paul's Hospital Orthopaedic Medicine clinic and currently runs a private practice.